Saut and Péclet-Polset mountain huts from Les Prioux - Chavière Valley

To reach the starting point, leave Pralognan-la-Vanoise in the direction of Vallée de Chavière - Prioux and drive for about 8 km. There are several car parks at the end of the road. During the season, free shuttles run to Les Prioux and the Pont de la Pêche car park from 8.30 am (see the tourist office).

(S/E) From the car park, walk south to the end of the tarmac road. Continue along the dirt track that extends from it to the first fork, marked by numerous information panels about the valley.

(1) Take the track on the right towards the Refuge du Roc de la Pêche, cross a bridge and immediately after two bends, continue along this track.

(2) Pass the Refuge du Roc de la Pêche on your left, then the Chapendu and Ritort mountain pastures. Continue for about 500 metres after Ritort until you reach a fork with a sign indicating Col Rouge and Refuge du Saut.

(3) Leave the track and take a well-marked path on the right that climbs steeply. Follow the hairpin bends up to Col Rouge, taking care on some sections as the path has been eroded.

(4) Begin the descent northwards on a path that is rocky at first and then crosses meadows further down. Walk to a fork in the path towards the Refuge des Lacs Merlets: leave the path that leads there on your right.

(5) Continue the descent to the Refuge du Saut, arriving after crossing a milky-watered torrent: the Doron des Allues.

(6) Head south towards the Col du Soufre on a path that begins to climb rapidly. Take a footbridge to cross the torrent. Continue a few metres until you reach a sign indicating the Col du Soufre.

(7) Continue climbing, turning right and staying on the same path , which offers a beautiful view of the Gébroulaz Glacier, until you reach Col du Soufre.

(8) Descend to Lac Blanc.

(9) From there, climb a little way up the wide path to a pass, then descend to the Peclet-Polset refuge.

(10) Take the track downhill and join the junction with the GR®55.

(11) Descend the track via the GR®55 towards Roc de la Pêche, Les Prioux and Pralognan, until you reach the fork you passed on the way up.

(3) Take the trail in the opposite direction to the one you took on the way up to the car park (S/E).

Observations in August 2023:

• During the season, the Roc de la Pêche, Saut and Péclet-Polset mountain huts offer meals, drinks and accommodation. Drinking water is also available.
• The equipment required is that used at high altitude (2,817 metres) on rocky trails. At the end of spring, it is possible to encounter snowfields. At this altitude, snowfall is always possible, even in summer.

• Look up to see marmots in the Chavière valley, ibex after Col Rouge and on the climb to Col du Soufre.
• At Lac Blanc, to avoid a 30-metre climb and a kilometre's walk, you can head due east, climbing a little at first, then descending directly into the Chavière Valley without passing by the Péclet-Polset refuge: a steep trail passes through the meadows.