Les Hommes Courbés

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed today, 14 September 2024, starting from the Bois car park.
There was a bit of snow on the upper part of the route, which made it a bit tricky getting through the section with large boulders.
A very enjoyable hike, as far as I’m concerned.

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Champagny-en-Vanoise, Pontille Gorges, Plan des Gouilles mountain hut:
We did a much shorter version of this hike (but with the same elevation gain, 950 m), spread over two extra days. Just to spend a night in a refuge. With three families, and our rucksacks well-loaded, we (rather sedentary holidaymakers) found it quite a challenge. That didn’t stop us, before heading back down to Le Bois, from doing a round trip beneath the Pointe de Méribel (elevation gain: +200 m). The day before, we’d set off from the dam marking the entrance to the Champagny plateau (1,440 m). Right from the start, the climb is steep. After admiring the Pontille Gorges, we leave them behind and the Frumier Wood trail is quite a ‘leg-burner’. The route runs entirely through the forest; panoramic views are rare and limited to the Plagne-facing slope; but it is wild and pleasant: rocks, lichens and springs are all there. Gradually, the slope becomes less strenuous, and the path turns into a pleasant ridge walk. However, at the Bois de la Taillette junction (1,780 m, 1 hr 45 mins), the steep climb resumes, leading to the Plan des Gouilles refuge (2,350 m, 4 hrs). In the meantime, the vegetation has thinned out considerably; the view has cleared a little, but does not reveal its most magnificent peaks. On arrival, the welcome is very warm and the meal is enormous. The refuge is situated off the beaten track of the Vanoise. And that’s just as well.
The next day, it took us an hour and a half to reach Le Bois.
Before leaving the Champagny-le-Haut valley, do take a stroll through this magnificent setting, a designated natural site with undeniable charm and varied landscapes: gorges, plateaus, numerous hamlets and waterfalls, and views of the Grande Motte and the Grande Casse.

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Date of your route : Aug 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Watch out for a long, tricky scree slope before reaching the Miribel chalets
but this section is also very beautiful; you need to take your time, and we’re 70 years old!!
We recommend heading up to the Plan des Gouilles refuge for a drink or a meal; the setting is wild and it makes for a lovely break before continuing down the path and across the valley

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Date of your route : Jul 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We tried this hike in the sweltering heat and, despite what’s written, the climbs up to the Méribel chalet are quite steep, so it really takes it out of you! Even though there are sections through the forest, don’t forget to take something to cover your head. The route is quite difficult, but once you reach the Méribel chalet, the view over Champagny is splendid. It’s very unusual to encounter such large scree slopes (point 7) over such a long distance; they’re very pretty and, in the end, not as dangerous as they seem, as you’re not close to the edge. Small springs along the way provide a refreshing break – very pleasant.
Have a lovely summer, everyone

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