Rando pédestre au Refuge des Evettes et lac du Grand Méan - Stage 2 - From the Refuge des Evettes to l'Ecot via the Grand Méan lake

A "Coup de coeur" hike, approaching the border glaciers at the bottom of the Haute Maurienne valley. A spectacle that nature offers us and that we must show to our children today. Memories for life guaranteed.

Additional welcome information

You must book your overnight stay in a refuge in advance. Stay on the trails, following the signs, and take your garbage with you.

Environments

• Lake view
• Mountain location
• Waterfall view
• Less than 10 minutes from a bus stop on foot

Prices

Free access.

Itinerary

• Distance 14km
• Itinerary type One way
• Positive elevation gain 434m
• Negative elevation gain 100m
• Roaming duration 2 days
• Marked itinerary Yes
• Marking details Yellow blade markings. The route is unmarked from Plan des Evettes to the lake.
• Delicate passage The route is signposted as far as the Evettes refuge, but is not signposted as far as the Grand Méan lake, with passages on rocky slabs that can be slippery. High mountain itinerary (2900 m).
• Nature of the terrain Stone, Ground, Not suitable for strollers
• Maximum altitude 2905m

Opening period

Itinerary accessible outside snow periods and subject to favorable weather conditions. Check the local weather forecast in real time up to the day of departure.

Additional opening

• Subject to favorable weather

• Subject to snow conditions

Location

Departure from the Evettes Refuge - accessible only on foot.

Documents

• LOGO-COLLECTION-RANDO

Animals

Animals accepted: Yes

Animals accepted with supplement: No

To pass through the handrail, you need to carry your pet.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

• 2/ After a restorative night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, as you'll need to build up your strength, retrace your steps slightly, then head downhill towards the waterfall and Roman bridge. Once you've crossed the Roman bridge, you're on the Plan des Evettes. At the signpost of the same name, head for Lac du Grand Méan. From this point on, the route is no longer signposted, so take care!
  The ascent to the lake is through scree and rocky slabs. Ibex are often present in summer. From scree slopes to rocky slabs, you make your way through the heart of the Cirque des Evettes, under the gaze of the Albaron and Grande Ciamarella glaciers.
  And here you are facing the glacial lake of Grand Méan, a little piece of Greenland or Patagonia. A cliff of ice falls directly into the lake, with small icebergs floating on its surface.
  Strange noises emanate from the living glacier. Occasionally, a few blocks break off in a deafening din. Time seems to stand still.
  Once at the lake, turn around on the same path and walk back to the Roman bridge, then join the Refuge des Evettes for lunch. The descent to l'Ecot is via a comfortable path through the Plan des Roches.