From Les Arcs to the Mont Pourri Refuge via the Lakes Trail

Park just below the entrance to Les Arcs 2000 in a small free car park situated to the left of the road as you go up. Please note that the small car park above is reserved; do not park there.

(S) From the car park, head up the road through the Club Med tunnel. Follow the road alongside Lac des Combes, then past the departure station of the Lanchettes chairlift. Continue along the track towards the ski lifts, the Chalets de l’Arc and the little Chapelle Saint-Jacques. You’ll reach the path marked ‘Route des lacs’.

(1) Turn left onto the small path through the mountain pastures. Pass under the Saint-Jacques chairlift line and then under the gondola lift line. Climb up and pass close to Lac Saint-Jacques. The Varet and Grand Col glaciers are visible on the left. Reach Lac Marlou.

(2) Head straight on towards the Mont Pourri Refuge, keeping the lake on your left (see also alternative route no. 1 in the practical information section). When the track bends to the right, continue straight on along a path. Pass under the Grand Col chairlift and climb towards the highest point of this stage, Lac des Moutons

(3) Keep the lake on your left and follow the boundary of the Vanoise National Park. The refuge is visible in the distance. Keep heading south or south-south-west. Ignore a path branching off to the right and you’ll reach a junction.

(4) Turn left towards the mountain hut.

(5) A ford and a few small lakes, including Lac des Tétards, may be visible depending on the season. Continue along the path towards the refuge, which is hidden behind a hillock. You’ll reach the refuge facing the Bellecôte, Aliet and Plan de la Plagne massifs (E).

Access to the start:
It’s possible to park higher up in the resort, but you’ll need to return to this spot at the end of the four days.
You can travel by funicular from Bourg-Saint-Maurice station, then take the free shuttle bus between Les Arcs 1600 and Les Arcs 2000.

Mont Pourri mountain hut:
Warden: Laurent Julien
Tel: 04 79 07 90 43
http://refugedumontpourri.ffcam.fr
http://www.refuge-mont-pourri.fr
info@refuge-mont-pourri.fr

Alternatives (you can mix and match as you like):
1. Visit the Grand Col Glacier and the shelter of the same name (if you’ve got the stamina and the inclination, it’s well worth the effort); you can either do a round trip from Lac Marlou (2) or head back down towards Lac de Moutons. Be careful, however, as there can be significant snow cover even in summer.
2. Shorten the ascent by taking the Varet cable car from Les Arcs 2000, then head down towards Lac Marlou.

The flowers of the Vanoise, marmots, bearded vultures and foxes are not uncommon at various altitudes and on different slopes.