Refine your search for walks in Refuge du Clot des Vaches
Refuge du Clot des Vaches walks
The Grand Lac and the Lac de la Ponsonnière
Visorando Member
7.20 mi
+2,835 ft
-2,835 ft
5h 45
Moderate
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
20 minutes from the town of Monêtier-les-Bains. A lovely day’s hike with a magnificent view at the end. Views over the Grand Lac and the Écrins massif.Return to the car park via the same route.
Lac et Col de la Ponsonnière via the Grand Lac
8.33 mi
+3,084 ft
-3,087 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
An alternative route for the round trip to Le Grand Lac and Lac de la Ponsonnière allows for a circular route involving a chimney passage, but this restricts access to those with at least some mountain experience.A breathtaking, panoramic view of the Écrins Massif: Mont Pelvoux, the Barre des Écrins, the Pic de Neige Cordier, the Meije, the Rateau and more.
Grand Galibier from the Pont de l'Alp
11.67 mi
+5,348 ft
-5,341 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
A magnificent hike leading to the legendary Grand Galibier viewpoint, from where you can admire almost the entire French Alps. Part of the hike is off-trail and often on poorly marked paths, but the most difficult part of the route is well marked with cairns.
On the agenda: unique panoramic views, numerous crystal-clear lakes, friendly wildlife, wild valleys dating back to the Ice Age, all under the deep blue skies of the Hautes-Alpes.
Refuge des Drayères – Pont de l’Alpe
9.08 mi
+2,014 ft
-3,563 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
3rd and final stage. Starting from the Refuge des Drayères, head up to the source of the Clarée and return to Pont de l’Alpe via the Col de la Ponsonnière. A tour of the Massif des Cerces taking in numerous lakes, each more beautiful than the last: in turn, the Clarée, Rond, Grand Ban, Cerces, Ponsonnière and, finally, the Grand Lac.
Walks near Refuge du Clot des Vaches
From Le Lauzet to the Col du Lautaret
4.17 mi
+1,325 ft
-26 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
Stage4 of the Tour du Combeynot: from the Guisane Valley to the Col du Lautaret
Refuge du Chardonnet - Arsine
11.94 mi
+2,608 ft
-4,436 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
This third stage of the crossing of France, following the 45th parallel as closely as possible, is long and difficult but absolutely magnificent. You will discover or rediscover the two jewels that are the Écrins and Meije massifs. Most of the route is on the GR® 50 and GR® 57. The paths are well marked and well maintained.
This stage can be divided into four sections: 1) an ascent to the Col du Chardonnet; 2) the descent to Lauzet; 3) the ascent to the Col du Lautaret; 4) the descent to Arsine.
Laval car park - Lac des Cerces
7.23 mi
+3,537 ft
-2,254 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
First day of a 4-day circular starting from the Laval car park in the Upper Clarée Valley. As with the other parts of this circular, this route is intended for experienced hikers who are accustomed to high mountains.
Lac des Cerces - Lacs de la Madeleine via Pointe des Cerces
7.84 mi
+3,963 ft
-3,261 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Valloire (Savoie)
Day 2 in the Clarée Valley: ascent of Pointe des Cerces (unmarked mountain route), passage to Lac and Source de la Clarée and climb to the second bivouac at Lacs de la Madeleine (off-trail on the final section).
As with the other parts of this circular, this route is intended for experienced hikers who are accustomed to high mountains.
Chalet de Laval - Alpe du Lauzet
8.12 mi
+2,785 ft
-3,793 ft
6h 10
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
A traverse of the Cerces massif via one of its highest passes (Béraudes) and some very beautiful lakes.And a chance to see much of the previous day’s descent route, as well as the many lakes on the other side.In early summer, the route can be made difficult by the presence of snow in the Lac des Béraudes cirque or a snow cornice on the Col des Béraudes (speaking from experience).
Fontcouverte Campsite - Lac de la Ponsonnière
7.08 mi
+3,691 ft
-1,391 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
For this first three-day stage, the route offers magnificent views of the Écrins Massif at the Col du Chardonnet and then of the Grand Lac. We have chosen to camp at Lac de la Ponsonnière, but it is entirely possible to camp on the heights of the Grand Lac, near the pastoral house. This allows you to shorten the duration of this first day slightly and, above all, reduce the elevation gain by around 200m.
Lac de la Cula via the circular trail
4.95 mi
+2,001 ft
-1,463 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful hike with magnificent scenery. The climb to the Ricou refuge is a little steep but not particularly difficult. Once you reach the circular path, the route is very easy, almost flat until you reach the Torrent de la Cula. The view over the entire valley is truly superb. From the lake, the trail descends to Laval.
The Clarée lakes route: Laramon, Serpent, Les Gardioles, Blanc
8.96 mi
+3,579 ft
-4,459 ft
7h 15
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
This hike is certainly long, but it will allow you to discover one of the major areas of the wonderful Clarée Valley.
From the Col du Lautaret to the Alpe de Villard d'Arène
3.91 mi
+433 ft
-302 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
Stage1 of the Tour du Combeynot: From the Col du Lautaret to the Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne refuge via the schistose crevasse trail overlooking the Romanche valley. Unique view of the Écrins and Meije peaks.
Monêtier-les-Bains - Vallouise
12.62 mi
+3,307 ft
-4,285 ft
8h 40
Difficult
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
E10th stage lasting 8 hours, covering 21 km, with 1,000 m of ascent and 1,200 m of descent. A very pleasant stage with no technical difficulty, offering magnificent views of the Barre des Écrins at 4,100 m and the very impressive Pelvoux at 3,900 m.
For the more adventurous, there is the option of taking a detour to climb up to Lac de l’Eychauda by leaving theGR® 54 at the Col de l’Eychauda. The stage ends in the village of Pelvoux, which, despite the fatigue, is well worth a quick visit.