Refuge de la Chardouse - Pamplinet

How to get to the Chardouse refuge:

- If travelling by car, take the road up to the village of Borgata Vazon. The refuge is in the centre of the village.

- By public transport: go to Oulx station (direct TGV service from Paris available). You can also take a bus from Montgenèvre.

- From Oulx station, you can take a taxi (approximately £56 to £60) to the refuge.

(S) From the refuge, follow the "Sentiero Balcone" (marked trail) which starts with the road on the right. Cross the track three times and follow the path that winds its way up to Monte Cotolivier (ignoring the paths on the left that lead to the track).

(1) From there, continue to follow this balcony path on the right to Colletto Pourachet (elevation 2049).

(2) At the fork, stay on the balcony path that climbs to the left, then gradually to the right until you reach the crossroads (altitude 2180 m).

(3) Turn right and immediately continue on the path that branches off to the left until you reach the scree slope.

(4) From this point, if the view is clear, you can see the pass. You must then carefully climb the large scree slope to reach it. Just below the pass, there is a permanent shelter where you can rest and even take refuge in case of bad weather.

(5) Continue. After a few steep hairpin bends, you will reach Col des Déserts, where the border is located.

(6) The descent is via a single narrow path that gently winds down the Ruisseau des Acles valley. The path eventually reaches Les Acles.

(7) Continue straight ahead. From there, the path is marked and widens. It is shared with the Grande Traversée des Alpes and the GR®5. Continue straight ahead at each junction. After a fairly steep descent, you will reach Pamplinet, where you can camp, stay and eat at the Auberge La Cleida (E).

(S) La Chardouse refuge (altitude 1,650 m) +39 338 934 3937

Auberge La Cleida 04 92 21 32 48. (E)

Chapel of Madona del Cotolivier.

Signpost marking the^45th parallel south of Pamplinet.