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Refuge de Plan du Lac atop the plateau
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Description
A wealth of beauty and sensations, a diversity of atmospheres and landscapes in a panorama spanning 360°, all at high altitude and accessible to all! An absolute must-see!
Leave from Bellecombe car park. Take the GR®5 in the direction of the “Refuge de Plan du Lac”. The first 300 metres of the walk provide access to the Plan du Lac plateau passing over a small gorge dug out by the lake’s outflowing stream. Ÿou immediately find yourself in the heart of the alpine grasslands inhabited by some domestic herds of sheep and cows grazing under the eyes of numerous marmots. On the right of the trail, the scree colonised by rhododendrons and dwarf junipers are refuge to the discrete rock ptarmigan. On the left, the hilly terrain of the plateau is home to several small lakes, including Plan du Lac, next to the trail. The view opens on to the south face of the Grande Casse (3,855 m in altitude), the highest peak of the Vanoise and of all the Vanoise glaciers. After a small pass, the trail descends towards the refuge. Variation: Take the paved pastoral road reserved for alpine farmers and professionals, easy for wheelchairs and pushchairs to move over. People with disabilities can access the refuge by car (reserved parking at the back of the refuge) by requesting in advance a traffic licence at the National Park’s office located at Termignon.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Additional information
Public transport
" Rail connection to Modane. Information: www.voyages-sncf.com Then transport by coach to the administrative centre of Termignon. Information: www.transavoie.com Then free shuttle bus Termignon-Bellecombe, from July to August and the weekends from 15th June to 14th September. Shuttle bus information: www.termignon.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com/pratique/se-deplacer-sans-voiture Suggested hitchhiking organised in the Haute-Maurienne valley. Information: www.rezopouce.fr "
Advice
Variation: Caution on the pastoral road Traffic licence to be requested in advance for direct access to the refuge for people with disabilities.
Is in the midst of the park
The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.
Advised parking
In summer, park at Termignon, then take the free shuttle bus to Bellecombe. In the off season, park at Bellecombe car park.
Accessibility infrastructure
Refuge-Porte de Plan du Lac certified “Accessible tourism” for the 4 types of disability. Interpretive space and audio-tactile tool to facilitate access to knowledge by those partially sighted and blind. The refuge is open from the beginning of June to the end of September, and has a permanent caretaker to ensure the reception and management of the refuge.
Arrival
Bellecombe car park, Termignon
Ambiance
At the beginning of June at the Refuge de Plan du Lac, there are about twenty of us national park agents, still misty eyed. It is 3:30 in the morning, the night at the refuge was short. Today the ptarmigans are being counted. These birds are so discreet that to get an idea of their number, we count them by ear. We count the singing males and, of course, they sing at dawn! At 4:30, everyone is in place, it is - 5 ° C and it bites a little! The first characteristic raucous songs are heard. The count lasts barely more than an hour and then we can gaze upon the orange summit of the Dent Parrachée as it is caressed by the first rays of sun. Some roosters still sing or fly into their competitor’s territory. Soon all the domes of the Vanoise will be glowing red. Didier Malrat, Vanoise National Park ranger.
Access
From Termignon, head in the direction of Lanslebourg. Go on for about 500 m, then at the hairpin bend, cross the main road and head in the direction of Bellecombe car park.
Departure
Bellecombe car park, Termignon
Data author
