Le Pra – Vens Mountain Hut

Park in the car park at the hamlet of Le Pra along the M64. It’s also possible to park a little further down.

(S) Head to marker 32, then take the PR® path marked in yellow towards the Lacs de Vens.
Climb the winding path through a sparse larch forest. It is not particularly difficult to reach marker 33 via a series of hairpin bends

(1) Take the path on the right towards the Tortisse forest lodge. Walk past it to quickly reach the junction marked by marker 34.

(2) Here you have two options:
- keep left to climb to the small pass of Tortisse via the Col du Fer to enjoy a magnificent view of the Lacs de Vens before descending back to the refuge; this adds around 200 metres of additional elevation gain,
- turn right – this is the route shown on the map – and head for the junction marked with signpost 23.

(3) Take the path on the left towards the Vens refuge. Cross some scree without difficulty and reach the refuge (E).

There is no mobile phone signal along the entire route, so please remember to let your loved ones know.
Plan to arrive by 6 pm at the latest to check in at the refuge. Dinner is served at 7 pm.
There are no power sockets at the Vens refuge to charge your mobile phones. However, a bike with a dynamo is available for the more active among you; allow an hour’s cycling for an 80% charge. Bring a power bank and a charging cable.
(E) Enjoy a nice beer at the refuge with a view of the lake. A superb spot for camping is available a 5-minute walk above the refuge; follow the pipe supplying the fountain in front of the terrace uphill to reach a flat area with a view of the lake. Ask the warden for advice if needed.
(E) Covid-19:Bookings are compulsory for overnight stays and dinners.
Face masks must be worn inside the refuge.

(S) Hameau du Pra
If taking this route: Arches and rock formations, with views of the lake, below the small pass of Tortisse
(E) Vens Mountain Hut
(E) Vens Lakes