Chamrousse - Refuge de la Pra

(S) Departure from the top station of the Croix de Chamrousse cable car.
Enjoy the first view at La Croix de Chamrousse, with Grenoble at your feet, then head east, passing under the Lacs Roberts chairlift. As you pass, you will see the Lacs Robert below. The descent is quite steep.
Continue east on the wide path that leads to the Col de la Botte.

(1) At the Col de la Botte, leave the path to the Col de l'Infernet on your right and continue left, north-west, to reach the Col des Lessines, a path on the mountainside that descends.

(2) At the Col des Lessines, head east towards Les Vans, as indicated on the sign.
Although less structured, the path is well marked and cairned. You will climb 300 metres in a wide valley to the pass.

(3) At the Col des Vans, you can continue towards the Grand or Petit Van, but the view is such that it takes quite some time. Descend by the same route to the Col des Lessines.

(2) From the Col des Lessines, head north-west towards the Lacs Robert.

(4) Leave the chairlift on your left, pass the hut and continue north towards the Refuge de la Pra

(5) Leave the fork to the Cascade de l'Oursière on your left. This path will follow your left for a while before plunging down into the valley. In this section, you are on the 'motorway'.
At the next fork, continue straight ahead; this is the usual route to the Refuge de la Pra.
Continue straight ahead, descend about 100 metres, cross the stream, then climb up towards Lac Léama.

(6) Just at the end of Lac Léama, continue climbing on the trail that crosses beautiful vegetation that must have engulfed it. Turn right for 80 metres, then left to find the trail along the stream bed.

(7) When you reach the plateau, take the first route on the right that takes you along Lac Longet.

(8) Continue, pass the end of Lac Claret and climb up to the mountain pasture at the foot of the refuge. There are large herds of sheep, protected by patous (sheepdogs) and goats.
You will arrive at the refuge, two buildings at right angles (E).

Alternative route:
(5) Optionally, you can leave the 'motorway' and head towards Lac David. You will immediately start a beautiful 300m climb. The path is a little longer, but signposted and also leads to the refuge without any other intersections.

This circuit should have started lower down, at Arselle or Bachat Bouloud, to pass by Lac Achard, cross the Col de l'Infernet and rejoin the circuit at the Col de la Botte, but the road to Chamrousse (from the south) prevented us from doing so.

The Refuge de la Pra is managed by the CAF and its wardens are particularly friendly and welcoming.
I'll put the link here, it's very comprehensive, even at the end of the season.

This entire circuit requires mountain hiking equipment (no ice axes or crampons in the middle of summer). Full all-weather clothing and a good sense of direction and map reading skills in case of cloud cover.

- Start the hike lower down and pass by Lac Achard and Col de l'Infernet.
- Climb the Vans peaks.
- (5) Descend to the Cascade de l'Oursière and climb back up.
- Pass by Lac David (starting at (5) to reach the Refuge de la Pra.
- If you are doing the walk as a day trip, climb up to the Col de la Pra to see Lac du Crozet.
- Admire the landscape from the terrace of the Refuge, where herds gather and sunsets are spectacular.