Vieux Emosson Refuge - Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard

Pass through the listed site of dinosaur footprints, then climb up to Cheval Blanc and reach the summit of Buet via the ridges. A difficult alpine route classified as T4 with breathtaking views of the Aiguilles Rouges.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour of the Dents Blanches massif, Ruan, Tenneverge

Technical sheet

14175919
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.63 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,195 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,437 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,092 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,926 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) From the Cabane du Vieux Emosson, head to the shore of Lac du Vieux Emosson and take the dam wall on the left. Follow the path along the lake, then take a steep climb on the left and continue to a crossroads with a sign.

(1) Follow the signs for Les Empruntes and Le Cheval Blanc. Pass the site of the footprints and continue to the junction at the Col du Vieux Emosson, where there is also a signpost.

(2) Continue along the path and, after a steep climb with some sections secured by cables, you will reach the north-east summit of Cheval Blanc.

(3) Continue along the long, relatively easy ridge, pass under the power line and Pointe Génévier, and join the steep, clearly visible section of the Buet ridge. You will reach a tricky passage.

(4) Be careful, this difficult passage is equipped with handrails and is rated T4. Follow the path using the cables and finally reach the large cairn at the end of this passage.

(5) Continue along the long ridge and you will easily reach the summit of Buet.

(6) Head right onto the south-west ridge, pass a stone shelter and reach the clearly visible radio antennas.

(7) Follow the path downhill to the left, away from the ridge, and reach the Col de Salenton.

(8) Continue left on the path marked in yellow. Cross a tricky rocky section, following the yellow markers very closely. This will take you to the end of the rocky section.

(9) Continue along a steep path. You will reach the Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard, today's destination (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,172 m - Lac du Vieux Émosson
  2. 1 : km 2.65 - alt. 2,406 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 3.56 - alt. 2,548 m - Col du Vieux Emosson (2572m)
  4. 3 : km 4.33 - alt. 2,826 m - North-East summit - Le Cheval Blanc
  5. 4 : km 7.22 - alt. 2,808 m - Difficult passage
  6. 5 : km 7.41 - alt. 2,900 m - Cairn
  7. 6 : km 8.3 - alt. 3,092 m - Buet (le)
  8. 7 : km 8.78 - alt. 3,019 m - Branches - Abri de Pictet
  9. 8 : km 10.96 - alt. 2,490 m - Col de Salenton
  10. 9 : km 12.01 - alt. 2,089 m - End of the rocky section
  11. E : km 12.63 - alt. 1,926 m - Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard

Practical information

Between (6) and (7) Pictet shelter, relatively basic, sleeps two
Contact the Pierre à Bérard refuge.
Reservations required for overnight stays and meals on 0450546208
Caretakers: Charlotte Bertolini and Mathias Billet
Tel: 06 08 83 62 42
Email: lapierreaberard@gmail.com

This route passes through a sensitive area where specific rules may apply:

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
gérard bruet
gérard bruet
• Last modified:

Hello
Thanks for your comments on the 7 days, too bad you had to get out the cape.
Looking forward to seeing you on the trails

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Rounous
Rounous

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb day, passing through the white horse in the névés while making our tracks (without crampons). Thanks to the GPX track on my watch, I was able to find the right path through all that snow once I got to the top! But nothing complicated or dangerous until we reached the electricity pylon. From there we preferred to head back down to the Lac du Plan du Buet because the path via the Pointe du Génévrier was covered in snow and looked dangerous if you slipped on the slope. But it seems that other hikers did it afterwards. A tough climb up to Le Buet, followed by an impressive but not difficult section with cables. Beware of vertigo at the end, as you're really on the ridge and there's a slope on both sides.
A small victory under the wind at the summit of Le Buet, which fortunately is not very crowded but can quickly become crowded at the height of the season.
A long descent through the névés to the Pierre à Bérard refuge. Too bad we'll have to climb it again tomorrow morning! A very small refuge (about thirty places) with two rooms. Very good meal. Only 1 toilet, not much for so many people. No shower but a washing place. Very nice view and very friendly young local staff. Lots of ibex all around. 110 euros per couple for half board + picnic.

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