Temple-Écrins Refuge

de fr

Treat yourself to one of the most beautiful views of the Écrins Massif and the Vénéon Valley by climbing up to the Refuge de Temple-Écrins. Your efforts will be richly rewarded with a 360-degree panorama of the highest peaks in the massif, including its highest point at 4,102 metres.
And as a bonus, you can enjoy a delicious omelette with bacon, potatoes and cheese on the terrace at an altitude of 2,410 metres!

Details

n°2184104
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 712 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 712 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,407 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,705 m
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Photos

The Vénéon torrent in its setting!
The legendary peaks of the Pilate valley!
The most appetising omelette in the world!
The welcome committee!

Description of the walk

From Le Bourg-d'Oisans, follow the road to Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans and continue on this road to La Bérarde.
When you reach the hamlet, cross the bridge and immediately turn right to descend to the car park near the Vénéon torrent, below the village.

(S/E) Walk up to the end of the car park in a south-easterly direction and take the path on the right that follows the torrent to join the main path coming from the hamlet of La Bérarde.

(1) Continue to the right and officially enter the Écrins National Park.
Reach the Refuge du Carrelet, after ignoring the bridge over the Vénéon on your right.

(2) Pass in front of the Refuge du Carrelet and you will soon reach a crossroads with a small signpost.

(3) Take the left-hand path marked "Refuge de Temple-Écrins". The path begins to climb gently through the pine forest.
Reach the Vallon de la Pilatte torrent.

(4) Follow the stream uphill for about ten metres to find a temporary footbridge opposite a beautiful cairn on the other bank.
After crossing the stream, you will begin the 54 hairpin bends that lead to the refuge (the first one turns left). Reach the 43rd hairpin bend.

(5) Leave the pine forest and arrive at a more open space. Only 10 hairpin bends left before the final reward: arrival at the Refuge Temple-Écrins.

(6) Descend via the same route to return to the Bérarde car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,705 m - La Bérarde car park - La Bérarde - Chalet Alpin du Club Alpin Français
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 1,726 m - Extension to the right
  3. 2 : km 3.73 - alt. 1,909 m - Refuge du Carrelet (1909m)
  4. 3 : km 4.47 - alt. 1,949 m - Left-hand trail
  5. 4 : km 4.87 - alt. 2,027 m - Crossing the stream
  6. 5 : km 5.91 - alt. 2,295 m - 43rd hairpin bend: arrival in the mountain pastures
  7. 6 : km 6.54 - alt. 2,406 m - Refuge de Temple-Écrins
  8. S/E : km 13.08 - alt. 1,705 m - La Bérarde car park - Vénéon (torrent) - Affluent de la Romanche

Notes

On the trail, a few dozen metres after the point (1), the Carrelet fountain offers you fresh water with a cup bearing the National Park logo available for use.
There may also be a water source at the Refuge du Carrelet.
There is a freely accessible tap at the Refuge de Temple-Écrins.
Good shoes and walking sticks are necessary for the climb. A camera and sun cream are recommended.
At the refuge, during the season when it is staffed (early June to early September), a light lunch is available for €11 (2019).
Overnight accommodation with half board available upon reservation.
In all cases, consult the website and call to make a reservation (Refuge de Temple-Écrins).

You are hiking in the heart of the Ecrins National Park.

The Écrins massif is an exceptional area, open to all, with a rare natural, cultural and landscape heritage. To protect these treasures, the heart of the park is marked by blue, white and red flags, where regulations must be observed. Please read these rules when preparing for your hike in order to preserve this collective asset, at https://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr.

Worth a visit

As soon as you leave the car park, the first snow-capped peaks appear and the spectacle only gets better as you progress.
The first stop is the Refuge du Carrelet against the backdrop of Ailefroide!
Then, throughout the climb to Temple-Écrins, every bend in the road is a source of wonder!
Finally, once you arrive at the refuge, it's a feast for the eyes, which won't know where to look first!

(6) The Refuge de Temple-Écrins is a place to take a breather, admire the magnificent panorama, and say hello to the four chickens (during the caretaker period).

(6) Pass the refuge and continue along the route for a few more bends to approach the Clocher, the Dôme de Neige des Écrins (4,015m), the Pic Lory (4,088m) and the end of the Barre des Écrins, the highest point of the Écrins Massif at 4,102m: it's truly majestic!

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with magnificent views. Welcomed by chickens. The refuge was closed.
to do

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tadorne
tadorne
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike...you won't know where to look first. It feels like you're in the heart of the Écrins. Arriving at the refuge is like a revelation (!) because the climb is so long :-). At the refuge, I admired the view and had lunch in the company of four hens. The best organic eggs in the region :-). Don't miss this hike!

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Gast38
Gast38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike, even if the approach before the climb is a bit long (but you can pick raspberries and blueberries on the way back).
Beautiful refuge, well maintained and nice meals, beautiful view.
However, if you really want to enjoy the rest of the walk after the refuge, you have to climb for a long time to make it worthwhile.

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pasleb
pasleb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views. Thank you for counting the switchbacks. It helps when climbing.

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yssappey
yssappey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for sharing this beautiful hike.
The path is very well maintained. Thank you to those who maintain it. Despite this, some people cut the paths and damage the vegetation (no comment!).
Superb panorama on arrival in the sunshine, superb welcome at the refuge and superb omelette! What more could you ask for!

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chguilleminot
chguilleminot

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb to the refuge is tough, but the omelette is waiting for you at the top.
Beautiful view of the surrounding peaks with a description of the panorama by the refuge waiter.
Numerous martagon lilies in the area around the Carrelet refuge.

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Steven Corvaisier
Steven Corvaisier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, easy at the beginning, but difficult at the end, though short. A good hike for intermediate hikers. I recommend it; the view from the refuge is magnificent. All the refuges were closed due to COVID-19.

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fleur62250
fleur62250

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hike done yesterday with our two children aged 8 and 12
Well, it took us about 4½ hours to climb up, with lots of breaks, and about 3 hours to come back down

The climb through the pine trees is long and seems endless. For amateur hikers like us, it's really important to set off early and take your time. It took us about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the Carrelet refuge, which is closed, but ideal for taking a breather and having a bite to eat.

The effort is really worth it, as the arrival at the Refuge du Temple des Écrins is splendid.

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