Refuge de l'Orgère walks

A good hike with an uphill route along the Povaret torrent, away from the usual trails. The uphill trail is well marked but there are hardly any signposts.

A hike at 2,900m: marmots, ibex, mountain pastures, scree slopes and forest – all in one.

A 3-day hike with camping or staying in mountain huts. The route takes you into the Vanoise National Park, close to the Gébroulaz Glacier and Lac Blanc, with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m) and the Pointe de l'Observatoire (3,015 m). There are many other panoramic views to discover across the five passes: Col de la Masse (2,952 m), Col d’Aussois (2,914 m), Col Rouge (2,730 m), Col du Soufre (2,817 m) and Col de Chavière (2,796 m).

This fabulous 8-stage route (+ 2 variants) is challenging and requires excellent physical fitness, as some passes reach an altitude of nearly 3,000m. The first two stages deviate from the usual route, making this route even more appealing. The mountain landscapes, glaciers, pastures and flora are among the most beautiful in the Alps. Wildlife is particularly abundant, as in the Mercantour. Every day we saw marmots, ibex and chamois.

The first stage takes you from the Refuge d’Orgére to the Refuge de Peclet Polset. Although short, this first stage features a significant elevation gain, helping you get into your stride for the rest of the trek. The views above the Maurienne Valley are already splendid. You’ll cross your first pass, the Col de Chaviére, at nearly 2,800 metres. Views of the Écrins and the Thabor, reminding us of the 2018 route.

This tenth stage completes the crossing of the Vanoise massif. From the Refuge de l’Arpont, the GR®5 descends to the hamlet of Le Mont, crosses the Combe d’Enfer, climbs the flank of the Crête de Belle Place and crosses the valley of the Ruisseau de Bonne Nuit to reach the ruins of the hamlet of La Loza. It follows the contour of a rocky ridge like a balcony and descends via a few hairpin bends towards a ravine, then continues almost level through the Bellecôte valley. The path passes beneath the chairlifts of the Aussois ski resort and runs alongside the Plan Sec and La Fournache mountain huts. It skirts around Lac du Plan d’Amont and runs along the upper edge of Lac du Plan d’Aval before crossing the Col du Barbier. It climbs towards the Barbier chalets and descends to the hamlet of l’Orgère to reach the Refuge de l’Orgère.

Starting from the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes through the Valon de l'Orgère to reach the Col de la Masse (2,952 m) with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m), then follows the valleys to reach the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois.

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.