Trek around Chambeyron Mountain Range (1) Fouillouse - Refuge du Chambeyron

First stage around the Chambeyron Mountain Range which, after a steady climb, takes you to the shelter with the same name. You'll end up in a breath-taking setting, at the foot of Brec de Chambeyron.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Trek around Chambeyron Mountain Range

Technical sheet

n°105400

Creation:
7 Mar 2015

Last update:
11 Feb 2019

Last review:
28 Aug 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.21 km
Average duration: 3h 55
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: No
Vertical gain: + 760 m
Vertical drop: - 12 m
Highest point: 2,625 m
Lowest point: 1,872 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Ubaye Valley
District: Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (04530)
Start: N 44.524677° / E 6.797058°
End: N 44.53023° / E 6.836003°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3538ET, 3538ETR
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Photos

Sunset over Lac Premier, Chambeyron Refuge

Description of the walk

Starting at Fouillouse. Access from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye on the D25. After 3 or 4 km, near Pont du Châtelet, take the small road to the right, which after a few bends, leads to Fouillouse. Just before the hamlet, the car park is a bit higher to the left of the road.

(S) Go through the hamlet heading east and passing the cemetery.

(1) A few dozen metres after the last houses, take the trail heading to the left, due north which rises over the road (sign for "Refuge du Chambeyron"). The trail turns off to the left maintaining a north-west direction.

(2) At a junction just outside a wooded area, turn right at an acute angle. Head north-east with a few twists and turns within a landscape which gradually gets lighter.

(3) Turn right heading east. There are no more trees and the landscape is more mineral. It's a windy trail but keeps to an overall eastern direction.

(4) Directly below a mound of rock to the left, you'll get to a small pass and a view point over Lac Premier and Refuge du Chambeyron (easily spotted due to its blue metallic coating). Head down to the shelter.

Waypoints

S : km 0 - alt. 1,872 m - Fouillouse
1 : km 0.76 - alt. 1,914 m - Start of the Refuge du Chambeyron trail
2 : km 1.56 - alt. 2,070 m - Crossroads
3 : km 2.9 - alt. 2,280 m - Crossroads
4 : km 5.74 - alt. 2,591 m - Small pass above the Chambeyron Refuge
E : km 6.21 - alt. 2,614 m - Refuge du Chambeyron

Practical information

In Fouillouse: stage gîte.
Refuge du Chambeyron: shelter open from April to September. Phone. : 04 92 84 33 83.
No water sources apart from the stage shelters and gîtes so bring water supplies.

In the nearby area

In Fouillouse, notice the inscription on the cemetery pediment: Passants, songez que nous avons été ce que vous êtes et que vous serez ce que nous sommes, Passers-by, remember you are what we once were, and you will become what we are now". Food for thought during your hike...

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

caristef

Aug 28, 2023 at 14:30 EDT

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes

Be careful, the climb is steep as soon as you turn left out of the village. And it's a long climb before an easier final section. The path is rather monotonous for my taste, but the lake below the refuge is magnificent.

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lepap

Aug 22, 2023 at 04:46 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant hike, shorter than I thought (2.5 hour climb). Very friendly welcome at the Chambeyron refuge, even though I had booked just 2 days before. The evening meal was a bit basic but good... The next day I climbed the Tête de la Frema, just in time for my 70th birthday on 16 August, so it was a good deal! I was delighted with this magnificent outing and came back down via the magnificent Pas de la Coulleta! Then back to the Fouillouse car park and campsite at St Paul sur Ubaye.
PS: Could Visorando suggest some well-known hikes with suitable circuits (in addition to those organised by members)?

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Nathalie oliver

Jul 17, 2023 at 02:35 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent hike over two days, as we pushed on to the summit of the tête de la frema and returned via the pas de la couletta. A hike of almost 32 kilometres, given the length of the circuit. It was sublime. Quite steep at times, so don't carry too much. The climb to the refuge is quite long but the scenery is incredible.
The view is superb and well worth the effort. The lake of nine colours was still a little frozen but in no way takes away the beauty of the place .
Great hike 👌

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ojeannot

Aug 06, 2022 at 17:26 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We weren't really trained, but my wife and I managed to get up to the refuge (admittedly in 4 hours, instead of the 2.5 hours it took us at Fouillouse).

I even made it as far as the Lac des Neuf Colours.

After a night at the refuge, we returned by the same route.

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Miette1851

Sep 06, 2021 at 02:38 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike. After a fairly steep start, the path continues more gently.
The Lac des Neuf Couleurs is easily accessible from the refuge, as is the Col de la Gypière.

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lesignal

Sep 06, 2021 at 02:26 EDT

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

lovely hike from the little village of fouillouse with a small grocery shop selling good produce
it's a good climb, starting out in the forest and then there are no more trees.
Follow the signposted route without trying to take the paths that go straight up.
the scenery is sublime
Once you arrive at the refuge, you can quench your thirst and continue on to the Lac des 9 couleurs, a 1-hour climb that is not very difficult but well worth the effort.

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Miette1851

Aug 23, 2021 at 03:24 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb circuit extended as far as the Lac des neuf couleurs.

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Netra

Oct 19, 2020 at 07:51 EDT

In other words: easy route, pleasant walk, along the way the villages of Saint-Nôtre and Fouillouse.

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380000volt

Oct 19, 2020 at 03:33 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Gemakkelijke route, aangename wandeling, onderweg de dorpjes st ours en Fouillouse

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marite49

Aug 03, 2020 at 12:16 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

nice family course
Easy for a beautiful mountain lake
marmots guaranteed
To be recommended

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daniel0683

Aug 19, 2019 at 04:19 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The climb is a little steep at first, but after the first hour it becomes easier. Magnificent views of the small lake and the brec de Chambeyron.
Highly recommended.

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ULMNimes

Jul 14, 2019 at 00:47 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice hike, perfectly suited for children to discover the mountain and the refuge, with very competent staff at the refuge and a delicious meal. From the refuge, access to the Lac des neuf couleurs.

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Cedeka

Jul 08, 2019 at 13:32 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A short hike to the Chambeyron refuge.
This CAF hut is now looked after by Marie, who is keen to welcome and advise passing hikers.
From the hut, you can access pointe Chauvet or tête Fréma for the day and enjoy a magnificent view of lake premier!

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chtidu04

Jul 22, 2015 at 09:29 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

nice 2-day hike

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Netra
942 walks

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Location: Boulogne-Billancourt (92100)

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