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

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

Description

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.

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.

Technical Information

Walking
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
4h15mn
Dist.
11 km
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Altimetric profile

Starting point

Route départementale 902 , 73480   Bonneval-sur-Arc
Lat : 45.399433Lng : 7.043272

Date and time

  • From 17/06/2026 to 17/09/2026
  • From 17/06/2027 to 17/09/2027

Additional information

Open 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.

Updated by

Agence alpine des territoires - 20/04/2026
www.agate-territoires.fr
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Environments

Mountain view
Lake view
Mountain location
In a nature reserve

Contact

Phone : 04 79 05 99 06

Email : info@hautemaurienne.com

Website : https://www.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com

Type of land

Rock
Stone
Ground
Not suitable for strollers

Location complements

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).

Topo guides and map references

Topo guides references :
Savoie Mont Blanc on foot" TopoGuide

Map references :
TOP 25 IGN - 3633 ET- Tignes-Val d'Isère / Haute-Maurienne

Reception complements

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.

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.

Animals

No. Pets are not allowed in the Vanoise National Park.

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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾