Refuge du Pigeonnier from Le Gioberney

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike taken in the direction of Gioberney / Vallon du Vaccivier / Refuge du Pigeonnier / Lac Bleu / Lac Lauzon / Gioberney.
A very hot and sunny day, with a few sections where you need to use your hands a little, but no major difficulties. Perhaps not suitable for people who suffer from vertigo.
In this direction, the refuge is only revealed at the last minute! Don't be discouraged, it's definitely there. Small terraces on very pleasant terraces, small pond with tadpoles to cool off.
Then a long descent to the fork in the path to climb up to Lac Bleu. The slightly steep climb is well worth the detour as the view on arrival is magnificent. Glaciers, waterfalls, the colour of the lake...
Descend to Lac du Lauzon, then complete the circular route to return to Le Gioberney, passing above the Voile de la Mariée waterfall.
A magnificent route!

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Date of your route : Jul 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I didn't want to just go back and forth between Chalet du Gioberney and Refuge du Pigeonnier, so I decided to do a circular route instead.
I climbed up to Lac du Lauzon ( 2,020 m ) to reach Refuge du Pigeonnier.
Snack and coffee break before descending via the Vallon de Vaccivier.
Nothing complicated, just a few slightly exposed sections where you need to use your hands.
Foggy weather at the start around 12 noon, then bright sunshine and azure blue skies.
The hike took me 5 hours and 15 minutes in total.

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Date of your route : Jun 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike under a big blue sky! It's simply magnificent and spectacular!
No problem finding your way, as the refuge is signposted at every junction. Note that at the point (1) you can take the more direct path that branches off slightly to the left.
The only tricky point is crossing the first stream after the point (3) because there is no longer a footbridge and an avalanche has significantly altered the terrain (the path has disappeared). You therefore have to descend a little to find a suitable place to cross, but it's not difficult...
From there, the climb is quite long and fairly steep, with no flat areas to catch your breath. But what a reward when you reach the top!
After the refuge, continue along the path to go around the end of the rocky ridge and enjoy a magnificent view of Les Bans and Le Gioberney.
There are tables and a fountain next to the refuge for picnics and filling your water bottle.
Visit the refuge's website here for caretaker dates, prices and reservations.

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route starting at Lake Lauzon.
A very beautiful hike with abundant flora. (hike completed on 19/07)
However, it should be noted that the climb to the refuge is quite long but not difficult. The surroundings around the refuge are splendid.

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Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, but at this time of year, late May, there is still too much snow to reach the refuge. We had to turn back at around 2,040 metres. We opted for Lac de Lauzon and Lac Bleu on the way back, a beautiful 12 km hike with a 960 m elevation gain.

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Date of your route : Oct 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

To extend this route a little, take it in reverse, starting from the refuge hotel towards the Gioberney hut (sheepfold), then climb back up the valley and turn left towards the Pigeonnier refuge (steep climb). From the Pigeonnier refuge, descend towards the stream (note that from October onwards, the footbridge is removed, and in heavy rain it is impassable). Then climb back up to Lac Bleu (a magnificent spot for lunch). From there, head towards Lac du Lauzon via a direct route without descending to the path, then descend via the Voile de la Mariée towards the Chalet Hôtel du Gioberne. This route adds two hours to the route, but it's well worth it
.

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