Refuge de la Leisse – Refuge de la Femma

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, warm day for this walk.
The ascent from the La Leisse mountain hut is straightforward once you’ve crossed a few streams lower down. There are still significant patches of snow, but the climb up to the pass presents no difficulties (magnificent scenery!). The descent path is sometimes clear, but disappears at times. Caution: stay on the track even when the mountain hut is in sight, as the slopes below are very steep and feature rocky outcrops. Before the descent to the refuge, a rockfall has swept away the path for about fifteen metres. The ground is schist and the crossing is very tricky (a fall could be serious). When approaching this rockfall, it is best to turn back until you reach a point where you can take a route below it and then rejoin the track.
Magnificent and completely uncrowded!

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Date of your route : Jan 13, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I did this hike in winter, from the Leisse/La Femma refuge and back on snowshoes in a single day (10 hours). Very difficult and adventurous compared to summer. No obvious trail; a few summer cairns on the La Leisse side – which should not be followed in winter – the La Femma side is very steep, with tricky sections. Superb views and scenery. For experienced winter walkers.

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Date of your route : Oct 31, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An unmarked route that keeps the spirit of adventure alive. A gradual ascent through the mountain pastures up to the pass, with breathtaking views of the Vanoise massifs. We set off from the Bellecombe car park (1 night at La Femma), spending a day walking to the La Leisse mountain hut (please note: no water available, as the dam has burst...) via the La Pierre Blanche pass, followed by one night at La Leisse, then back to Bellecombe – a leisurely 3-day trip (suitable for children aged 12 and over if they’re keen walkers!).

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