Le refuge Évariste Chancel depuis La Grave
A hike with the objective of a lake and a refuge is a godsend! You can enjoy the tranquility of Lake Puy Vachier, 120 m below the refuge, before having a meal on the panoramic terrace.
This is a beautiful, varied hike in a splendid setting at the foot of the legendary summit of the Meije. The Puy Vachier lake, with its beautiful colors, is an oasis in the middle of this rather mineral universe. And what about the panorama from the heights of the refuge plunging down into the Grave and Romanche valleys!
At the parking lot of the Glaciers Cable Car Meije, take the stairs that go down to the river. Cross the bridge and turn left. Then go up to the right on the path that runs along the left bank of the Tabuchet torrent.
At the junction, turn right, go down towards the Abéous torrent, cross the bridge and continue to climb through a beautiful larch forest dotted with clearings.
At the junction next to the Puy Vachier Supérieur chalet, turn right onto the path that crosses the forest. At the next junction, continue straight ahead, leaving the summer path on your right towards Les Fréaux (steep and difficult path).
At Puy Vachier lake, turn right for the last climb to the refuge.
It is also possible to reach the refuge with less effort by taking the cable car (open from mid-June to mid-September) to the intermediate station at 2400 m to cross to the refuge.
At the parking lot of the Glaciers Cable Car Meije, take the stairs that go down to the river. Cross the bridge and turn left. Then go up to the right on the path that runs along the left bank of the Tabuchet torrent.
At the junction, turn right, go down towards the Abéous torrent, cross the bridge and continue to climb through a beautiful larch forest dotted with clearings.
At the junction next to the Puy Vachier Supérieur chalet, turn right onto the path that crosses the forest. At the next junction, continue straight ahead, leaving the summer path on your right towards Les Fréaux (steep and difficult path).
At Puy Vachier lake, turn right for the last climb to the refuge.
It is also possible to reach the refuge with less effort by taking the cable car (open from mid-June to mid-September) to the intermediate station at 2400 m to cross to the refuge.
