Plan Glacier refuge from Les Houches

Park in the car park at the Bellevue cable car.

(S/E) Turn left towards Le Prarion and walk for about 80 m.

(1) Turn left to head up the Chemin du Bonnet. Follow a few hairpin bends, cross the ski run, and reach Belleface.

(2) Continue left along the road, passing Le Verney. Take the path that follows and carry on until you reach a crossroads.

(3) Turn left onto this path, heading towards Les Grands Bois. Walk past a small chalet, through a clearing (with a stream nearby), and reach a fork in the path.

(4) Carry on to the right, then turn right again about fifty metres further on. The path climbs through the forest to a Fork in the road.

(5) Turn right. The path initially climbs very steeply, then levels off slightly before emerging at the foot of a ski lift.

(6) Turn left down the slope. The well-marked path curves to the left and arrives near the summit of the Bellevue Cable Car (alt. 1,800 m).

(7) Head south-west towards the rack railway line, cross it, then descend the very steep path.

(8) At the bottom, turn left. Follow the track, then the path: there are a few easy, well-maintained sections and two gates before you reach the Alpe de l’Are.

(9) Turn right towards Col de Tricot and follow the path, which is a little uneven as it runs through a moraine. Cross the footbridge over the Torrent de Bionnassay and head up to the right. You’ll come to a fork in the path.

(10) Turn left to head up the Combe des Juments, pass the Chalets de Tricot on your left, and carry on straight towards the Combe de Tricot. Reach the Col de Tricot at an altitude of 2,120 metres.

(11) Turn left, pass under an arch and follow the narrow path. This is at times very narrow, fitted with cables and metal steps, and you’ll need to plan your route carefully.

(12) Pass through the Couloir de la Chèvre, where the path is barely visible, and head to the top of the first moraine.

(13) Turn left, cross the valley towards the other moraine, where the refuge is clearly visible at the top. Make your way to it.

(14) The return journey follows the same path back to the Bellevue cable car car park (S/E).

As mentioned above, the path is sometimes very narrow: not recommended for those who are prone to vertigo.
This hike should only be undertaken in good weather. The distance and elevation gain are greater: the GPS reading shows an additional 1.3 km and 180 m of elevation gain.
(7) There is a refreshment bar at the top of the Bellevue cable car.

(14) The warden at the Plan Glacier refuge serves drinks and meals: see the refuge’s website.

Between waypoints (11) and (13), the landscape is magnificent and very rocky; you are in the high mountains.
You may spot some ibex.