From the Lacs Merlet refuge to the Péclet-Polset refuge

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After the long stages of the previous days, this one is more leisurely.
The climb to the Col du Soufre is gradual until you reach the edge of the Gébroulaz glacier.
The beauty of the Col du Soufre (the day’s highest point), with its ochre and white colours, more than makes up for the day’s efforts.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Traversée Maurienne - Vanoise sur 6 jours, de Bonneval-sur-Arc à Modane

Details

n°1347699
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.96 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,438 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,232 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,252 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,972 ft
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Photos

On the way to the Col de Chanrouge
The ascent along the Gébroulaz Glacier
Gébroulaz Glacier
Col du Soufre

Description of the walk

(S) From the Lacs Merlet Refuge, take the time to make a detour to the pretty Upper Lac Merlet: walk alongside the first lake, turning right at the junction below the refuge, to reach the lake.

(1) Then retrace your steps back to the junction below the refuge.

(2) This time, turn right towards the Col de Chanrouge and the Refuge du Saut. You’ll reach a crossroads of paths at Plan du Pêtre.

(3) Take the path on the right, still heading towards the Col de Chanrouge and the Refuge du Saut. After an easy climb, you’ll reach a crossroads of paths at the Col de Chanrouge.

(4) Head back down via the path on the right into the Chanrouge stream valley.
Once at the bottom, cross the Chanrouge stream and turn right.

(5) Shortly afterwards, follow the terrain as you climb straight up the slope towards Lac de Chanrouge. Walk alongside the lake until you reach a clear, well-marked path which descends to rejoin the main track you left earlier on your way to the lake. The Refuge du Saut is visible. Continue along the path and turn left after the footbridge over the torrent to reach the Refuge du Saut.

(6) Continue past the refuge towards the Col du Soufre (a sign indicates that the route is ‘unmarked’, but this simply means there is no paint marking. The path is very clearly marked throughout and cairns provide additional signposting; it is impossible to get lost). The path climbs gradually alongside the torrent until it reaches a large footbridge.

(7) Carry on through rocky scree before reaching the moraine of the Gébroulaz Glacier. The view of the glacier is magnificent. Just before the pass, the slope becomes a little steeper and the terrain a little more slippery, but it remains very passable all the way to the Col du Soufre.

(8) Cross the pass and head down the other side to discover Lac Blanc and its delta.
The start of the descent, which is very gullied, isn’t easy to find, but you’ll soon come across a good path leading to Lac Blanc.

(9) From there, climb about sixty metres up the orange-coloured slabs to reach the Refuge de Péclet-Polset (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 7,907 ft - Refuge des lacs Merlet
  2. 1 : mi 0.57 - alt. 8,031 ft - Upper Lac Merlet
  3. 2 : mi 1.1 - alt. 7,867 ft - Lac Merlet
  4. 3 : mi 2.02 - alt. 7,530 ft - Map of Le Pêtre
  5. 4 : mi 3.16 - alt. 8,143 ft - Col de Chanrouge
  6. 5 : mi 4.19 - alt. 7,703 ft - Chanrouge Lake junction
  7. 6 : mi 5.15 - alt. 6,998 ft - Refuge du Saut
  8. 7 : mi 6.62 - alt. 8,015 ft - Footbridge at the - Doron des Allues (rivière)
  9. 8 : mi 8.19 - alt. 9,239 ft - Col du Souffre
  10. 9 : mi 9.06 - alt. 8,166 ft - Towards the - Lac Blanc (2435 m)
  11. E : mi 9.96 - alt. 8,114 ft - Refuge de Peclet-Polset

Notes

Other walks in the area

Walking Refuge des Lacs Merlets – Refuge de la Valette

Visorando Member
Refuge des lacs Merlets - Refuge de la Valette
↔10.22 mi ↗+4,514 ft ↘-3,917 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Bon-Tarentaise (Savoie)
This third stage will take you from the Refuge des Lacs Merlets to the Refuge de la Valette. This stage is undoubtedly the most challenging, with 1,400 metres of elevation gain. The ascent of the Petit Mont Blanc, a difficult descent to Les Prioux, followed by another beautiful and long climb (900m of elevation gain) to the Col de la Valette and its refuge, will make for a memorable day.

Walking From the Refuge du Saut to the Refuge de l'Orgère via the Col du Soufre

Visorando Member
Du Refuge du Saut au Refuge de l'Orgère par le Col du Soufre
↔10.24 mi ↗+3,576 ft ↘-4,196 ft ◔7h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Les Allues (Savoie)
From the Refuge du Saut to the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes close to the Gébroulaz Glacier via the Col du Soufre (2,817 m) before descending towards Lac Blanc and, via theGR®55, the Col de Chavière (2,796 m) and the Tête Noire rocks.

Walking The Pointe Ariande tour

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↔8.38 mi ↗+2,825 ft ↘-2,825 ft ◔6h 20 ▲Moderate
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A walk that deviates from the balcony path, with a section off-trail, but no risk of getting lost.

Walking The Péclet-Polset Refuge and Lac Blanc

Visorando Member
Le Refuge de Péclet-Polset et le Lac Blanc
↔10.83 mi ↗+2,631 ft ↘-2,628 ft ◔7h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pralognan-la-Vanoise (Savoie)
This hike offers a beautiful excursion into the Vanoise National Park, where you can discover a glacial lake and enjoy splendid views of several glaciers, the Dômes de la Vanoise and Peclet Polset.

Walking Saut and Péclet-Polset mountain huts from Les Prioux - Chavière Valley

Visorando Member
Refuges du Saut et de Péclet-Polset depuis les Prioux - Vallée de Chavière
↔16.18 mi ↗+5,794 ft ↘-5,794 ft ◔More than 12 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Pralognan-la-Vanoise (Savoie)
Two beautiful glacial valleys, two passes, two refuges, a lake... and views of glaciers and peaks rising to over 3,000 metres. The Alps as we love them, with vast panoramas and well-marked trails that allow you to rack up kilometres and elevation gain for a variety of views. Magnificent panoramas are guaranteed and, with a little luck, marmots and ibex will be there to greet you.

Walking Lakes of Mont Coua via Col Rouge and Col du Soufre

Visorando Member
Lacs du Mont Coua par le Col Rouge et le Col du Soufre
↔14.02 mi ↗+5,636 ft ↘-5,623 ft ◔11h 20 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Pralognan-la-Vanoise (Savoie)
This hike takes you to the Lacs du Mont Coua and Lac Blanc, passing through the Col Rouge and Col du Soufre. Please note that at the start of the season there may still be a lot of snow, and some sections may be tricky.

Walking Lac de la Valette

Visorando Member
Lac de la Valette
↔6.66 mi ↗+3,606 ft ↘-3,589 ft ◔6h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Pralognan-la-Vanoise (Savoie)
A hike beneath the Vanoise Glaciers towards the lovely Lac de la Valette, with the Grande Casse as a backdrop. The ascent follows an excellent path and includes a section off the beaten track, with magnificent views throughout.

Walking The Chalet des Nants and the balcony trail

Visorando Member
Le chalet des Nants et le sentier balcon
↔5.85 mi ↗+1,886 ft ↘-1,857 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pralognan-la-Vanoise (Savoie)
An easy walk in the Vanoise that is suitable for children or as a warm-up walk at the start of your stay. The circuit allows you to discover the Cirque des Nants and the Chavière valley from the balcony trail. There is a small lake on this trail that is a nice place to stop for the children.

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