Refuge du Chardonnet - Refuge Ricou - Refuge des Drayères
A tour of the Cerces, between Guisane and the Clarée.
Hover over a stage to see it on the map and profile.Tap a stage to see it on the map and profile.
Whole tour: 36 km · 23 h walking · +2,350 m · 3 nights in refuges
4 days of walking
Nights in refuges bookable online can also be booked one at a time, from their page; the others, with the refuge.
8 km · 4 h · +400 m · −400 m · 1710 m → 2230 m
Park at Pont de l’Alpe on the RN 91. Climb to the chalets of l’Alpe du Lauzet (1,940 m) and pass at Col du Chardonnet (2,638 m). Then head down to Refuge du Chardonnet.
Night 1 · tonight's refuge
4 km · 8 h · +1,000 m · 2230 m → 2115 m
Drop down to the hamlet of Foncouverte and continue through the campsite. Cross Pont de Foncouverte, in front of Auberge de la Fruitière, and head up towards Refuge Ricou. Follow the track to Lac Laramon and continue to Pic du Lac Blanc (2,995 m) before returning down to Refuge Ricou through the Gardioles mountain pastures.
Night 2 · tonight's refuge
Bookable online, one night at a time, from its page. See its places
10 km · 5 h · +450 m · −450 m · 2115 m → 2180 m
Return to Chemin des Lacs and branch off towards Laval on the GR57. Pass Lac de la Cula (2,460 m), and head back towards the bottom of the valley, then take the track towards Refuge des Drayères.
Night 3 · tonight's refuge
13 km · 6 h · +500 m · −900 m · 2180 m → 1710 m
Head towards the bottom of the valley and pass Lac de la Clarée (2,450 m). Continue to Col des Cerces (2,575 m) and back down to Lac des Cerces (2,396 m). Make the short climb up Col de la Ponsonnière (2,610 m). And to finish this little circuit, drop down into the large valley.
Arrival in Pont de l'Alpe · end of the tour
No night to book that evening.
