Refuge du Carro in 2 days - Stage 1 - From the Ouilletta bridge to the Carro refuge

A night in Savoie's highest refuge? Now that's an adventure for the whole family! Particularly if you have to pass through scenery worthy of a movie set to reach it. This glacier-facing balcony trail promises a lifetime of memories.

Description

As you make your way along the path through the alpine pastures, you'll come across some unusual-shaped chalets: to resist avalanches, they are semi-buried or protected by a "tourne", a kind of stone bow.

The Plan des Eaux and Pys lakes follow one another along the way. Shades of blue range from azure to turquoise, reflecting the eternal snows of the glaciers.

The majestic Albaron, Vallonnet and Evettes glaciers dominate the cirque of the Arc springs.

After this splendid balcony traverse, during which you may have spotted a few chamois, you arrive at the Carro refuge.

Perfectly integrated into this mineral setting, Savoie's highest refuge welcomes you in an end-of-the-world atmosphere! Before lunch, how about a gentle contemplation on the shores of the Black and White lakes adjacent to the refuge?

After a night close to the stars in this pure Haute Maurienne sky, the descent promises to be just as authentic. Linger in the hamlet of l'Ecot. Isn't that Sébastien running down an alleyway, followed by his faithful Belle?

But the adventure isn't over yet, as you'll have to follow the current of the Arc to reach Bonneval sur Arc.

Additional welcome information

The Carro refuge has been awarded the "Refuge en famille" label. Prior booking is essential for your overnight stay in the refuge.
Stay on the trails and follow the signs, and take your garbage with you.

Environments

• Lake view
• Mountain view
• Mountain location
• In a nature reserve

Prices

Free access.

Itinerary

• Distance 11.2km
• Itinerary type One way
• Positive elevation gain 555m
• Negative elevation gain 268m
• Daily duration 04h15
• Marked itinerary Yes
• Marking details directional signs and cairns
• Nature of the terrain Rock, Stone, Ground, Not suitable for strollers
• Maximum altitude 2760m

Opening period

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

Additional opening

• Subject to favorable weather

• Subject to snow conditions

Location

A hike with a different starting point from the finishing point. It is advisable to take the shuttle bus from Bonneval/Arc and get off at the Pont de l'Ouilletta stop (start of the hike).

Animals

Animals accepted: No

Pets are not allowed in the Vanoise National Park.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

• 1/ From the parking lot, the balcony path heads east towards the Carro refuge. The path crosses large mountain pastures where flocks of sheep graze, with a breathtaking view of the glaciers of the sources de l'Arc and the north faces of Charbonnel and Albaron.
  Continue past Lac du Plan des Eaux towards Lac du Pys at the foot of Ouille des Reys. At the junction with the path back down to Bonneval, continue towards the Carro refuge. Once you've reached your base camp, don't miss the Lac Noir and Lac Blanc at the back of the refuge.