The Refuge du Carro by the Balcony Path

A night in the highest refuge of Savoie? Here is a beautiful adventure to live in family! Especially if to reach it you have to pass through landscapes worthy of a movie set...

Description

As you walk along the path in the middle of the mountain pastures, you will see mountain chalets with original shapes: in order to resist avalanches, they are semi-buried or protected by a "tourne", a kind of stone bow.

The glaciers of Albaron, Vallonnet and Evettes face you on this balcony path, overlooking the cirque of the sources of the Arc.

Several lakes follow one another along the path. From azure to turquoise, the shades of blue answer each other, always more surprising. Some chamois are visible in the distance.

You arrive at the refuge, perfectly integrated in this mineral decor. Go and see the lakes above. You are at the end of the world!

This is the opportunity to spend a night close to the stars of the pure high mountain sky. Don't forget to make a wish for each shooting star!

On the way back down, linger in the hamlet of Ecot and in Bonneval-sur-Arc. Isn't it Sébastien who can be seen running in an alley, followed by his faithful Belle?

Environments

• Lake view
• Mountain view
• In the mountains
• In a nature reserve

Rates

Free access.

Itinerary

• Distance 25km
• Type of route LOOP
• Elevation gain 380m
• Negative elevation gain 945m
• Daily duration 07h15
• Marked itinerary MARKER
• Accuracy of markup directional signs and cairns
• Nature of the land Rock, Pebbles, Earth, Not suitable for strollers
• Maximum altitude 2760m

Opening period

From 15/05 to 15/10.
Accessible outside the snow period and according to the weather conditions. Please contact the Tourist Office for information on access conditions at the time. Recommended period of practice: spring - summer - autumn.

Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.

Additional opening

• Subject to favorable weather conditions

• Subject to snow conditions

Location

Access by car and parking : Park in Bonneval near the OT parking. Take the shuttle bus (see schedule at the Tourist Office) in the direction of the Col de l'Iseran. Get off at the Oulietta bridge (departure of the hike).
Map : IGN map : Top 25 - 3633 ET Tignes Val d'Isère

Ski area information

• Maximum altitude : 2760m

Animals

Animals accepted : No

Themes

• Topo/step by step : START : parking of the Oulietta bridge (on the road to the Col de l'Iseran). It is possible to go up by shuttle (July and August) from Bonneval sur Arc (ask at the Tourist Office).
  1/ From the parking lot, the balcony path goes east towards the Carro refuge.
  2/ The path crosses large mountain pastures where flocks of sheep graze, with a breathtaking view of the glaciers of the sources of the Arc and the North faces of the Charbonnel and the Albaron.
  Continue after the lake of Plan des Eaux in the direction of the lake of Pys.
  3/ Pass near the lake of Pys at the foot of the Ouille des Reys.
  4/ Leave on the right the path that we will take on the way back to Ecot and Bonneval sur Arc and continue to the Carro refuge surrounded by the Black Lake and the White Lake.
  5/ Mineral atmosphere at the highest refuge of Savoie. Possible stop or night before going back down to the valley.
  6/ Take on the left the path back to the hamlet of Ecot. A beautiful descent of about three hours.
  7/ Cross the hamlet of l'Ecot and join Bonneval sur Arc by the bucolic path of the Agneaux along the Arc.
  8/ From the Tourist Office, you can take the shuttle (or hitchhike) to the Oulietta Bridge to get your car back. If, on the way, you left on foot using the shuttle, then you have arrived!