The Tête Rousse Refuge circular from Les Houches

Parking is available at Place de la Fruitière next to the Bellevue cable car (subject to availability). Paid parking is available near the Prarion cable car, or free parking is available by going up to the right along the cable car (an additional 500 metres).

(S/E) Turn left when leaving the car park, then left again after 100 m. Join the Route du Col de Voza at Belleface.

(1) Continue left on the road, pass Le Verney and continue on the track.

(2) Leave the track and take the path on the left. Pass the Grands Bois chalet and you will reach a fork.

(3) Head south to the right.

(4) Turn right again. The path climbs with a few wooden steps. Further on, pass the start of the Grands Bois ski lift and continue through the meadow to reach the Bellevue cable car station.

(5) Turn right towards the railway line (TMB), cross it and then take the track on the left (west) towards the Col de Tricot. Cross the passages with safety chains. You will reach a fork at the Alpe de l'Are.

(6) Leave the Col de Tricot trail on your right and continue straight ahead towards the Nid d'Aigle. Cross the passages with cables and metal stairs and head towards the Refuge du Nid d'Aigle.

(7) Head north, then north-east towards the Baraque Forestière des Rognes, reach it and continue south-east on the path.

(8) Look for the path on the left that you will take on the way back and head up the ridge opposite, following the numerous tight bends: there are cables. When you reach the Tête Rousse Glacier, cross it to reach the refuge of the same name. This crossing is not difficult.

(9) The return journey is via the same path.

(8) Take the path on the right that you spotted on the way up and enter the Combe du Dérochoir. There are several tricky sections: a ladder (12 m high), chains and cables. Follow the path, where yellow signs help you find your way when it is not very visible. Reach the Col du Mont Lachat, which is a stop on the TMB.

(10) Follow the sign on the right for "La Chalette - Arrêt Bellevue". You will come to a fork in the path.

(11) Turn right (south-east) towards the Baraque Forestière des Arandellys. Just before you reach it, the path becomes very narrow.

(12) About 100 m before the hut, head towards Bellevarde on the left (west) - Les Houches Chef-lieu. You will reach a crossroads.

(13) Turn left (west), continuing towards "Bellevarde - Les Houches Chef-lieu". You will reach another fork in the path.

(14) Continue right (north) towards "Bellevarde - Les Houches Chef-lieu". You will reach a small car park which marks the arrival on Route de Bellevarde. Follow this road. After several bends, you will come out onto the D243 (Rue de l'Essert) at the bridge over the Nant Noir.

(15) Take the road on the left (west) to return directly to the Place de la Fruitière car park (S/E).

There is a refreshment bar at (5), then water supplies at the refuges (7) and (9); all three charge for their services.

This route includes difficult passages before (7) and then between (8) and (9) on both the ascent and descent. Finally, between (8) and (10). In the Dérochoir, beware of rockfalls that you may cause or those caused by people upstream, or even sometimes by ibex.

Depending on the time of day and season, ibex and chamois may be visible.

High mountain landscapes.

The route is generally not very busy.