Refuge de la Dent Parrachée (2515m) walks

The final stage of this fabulous route from the Refuge de la Fournache to the Refuge de l'Orgére, via the Col de la Masse. The ascent of this pass is difficult due to the steep gradient. The end of the ascent and a good part of the descent are very technical. The view from the pass is absolutely exceptional; you will be able to see the Écrins and the Thabor massif.

From the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois to the Refuge du Saut, the route passes via the Col d'Aussois (2,914 m) with the option to climb the Pointe de l'Observatoire (3,015 m) before descending into the valley via the Ritort farm, then the Col Rouge (2,730 m).

The walk begins with a gentle, rural route to the Fond de l’Aussois mountain hut, followed by a steep climb to the Col de l’Aussois.

This second stage links the Peclet Polset Refuge to the Lacs Merlets Refuge via the Col du Soufre. You walk alongside the great Gebroulaz Glacier before reaching the Refuge du Saut. Next comes the ascent of the Col de Chanrouge and the arrival at the Lacs Merlets. This stage takes you off the usual route through the Vanoise National Park. The landscapes are very wild. You’ll find plenty of edelweiss here.

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.

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.

This eleventh stage crosses the Mont Cenis massif and, in part, the Cerces massif. From the Refuge de l’Orgère, the GR®5 descends to Loutraz, crossing the River Arc via the bridge to the east of Modane. The route goes round the town hall, passes the church, follows the railway line eastwards, then westwards, and climbs the slope beneath the Fréjus Tunnel to pass under the motorway. It continues its ascent towards Notre-Dame du Charmaix. After the Valfréjus resort, it enters the Ruisseau du Charmaix valley and reaches the hamlet of Les Herbiers. Below the old Small Pass, it crosses the stream and, following the road, reaches the Lavoir Reservoir before tackling the steep climb towards La Losa, then, via the Combe de la Grande Montagne, reaches the Col de la Vallée Étroite. After a detour to the east, the descent heads due south, towards the Plaine Tavernette, then the valley of the same name. Finally, the GR®5 follows the Ruisseau de la Vallée Étroite to the Granges de la Vallée Étroite.

Stage7 of this journey takes you from the Refuge de l’Arpont to the very welcoming Refuge de la Fournache. This stage skirts around the Dent Parrachée. This is the last time you will see the Vanoise glaciers. This trail, which is at times technical and challenging due to its elevation gain, overlooks the Maurienne Valley, Val Cénis and, on the other side, Italy. You will also catch a glimpse of the Thabor, before arriving at the bottom of Aussois, with its two lakes and the Aussois dam.

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.

This short hike is the starting point for a magnificent three-day trek between Haute Maurienne and Val de Suze (Italy), with beautiful lakes and numerous small glaciers.But the setting and the welcome at the Refuge de Bramanette are such that they alone justify spending the night there and descending back down to the valley the next day!