Ascent to the Laval refuge

Located in the magnificent Clarée valley in the Hautes-Alpes, the completely rebuilt Laval refuge offers a warm and comfortable welcome.Meije & Thomas, the janitors, and their team welcome you to the cosy atmosphere of the wooden chalet-style refuge. Winter access is by ski touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or skating. Leave your car at the Ville Haute parking lot in Névache and take the summer road, which is closed at this time of year, or drive along the right bank of the Clarée for a more bucolic atmosphere. The refuges are often perceived as inaccessible and reserved for a more seasoned clientele, but the Laval refuge is an exception to the rule. In summer, you can come either by car to the parking lot of the same name some 300 m upstream from the refuge, or by shuttle bus, depending on the time of day and the season: Accueil Tourisme Névache. On the first floor, two small dormitories with single and double beds for 4 people, and two dormitories for 7 and 8 people with single or double beds equipped with sheets and comforters (bring your own sheets and comforter bags). On the first floor, sanitary facilities and hot showers (bring your own toiletries). In the dining room, which seats between 36 and 40, a beautiful Masse (Tulikivi) stove radiates a gentle warmth that you'll appreciate whatever the weather! For humid summer days or snowy winters, a dryer running on excess energy from the pico power station will dry your clothes and shoes in no time. Electricity is provided by a pico-power station fed by the Cula torrent, making the refuge completely self-sufficient. In this friendly environment, we'll let you enjoy simple, generous, high-quality cooking, using organic and local produce, so that young and old alike will be rested and refreshed before setting off again, backpacked, to explore the many hiking trails that this luminous Clarée valley has to offer. Total immersion in unspoilt mountain nature guaranteed. The summer refuge is : Your base camp, for touring Mont Thabor (GR57), touring the Cerces massif, hiking to discover the beauty of lakes Béraudes, Long, rond, and many more. A stopover for motorcyclists on the Route des Grandes Alpes A thirst-quenching, gourmet stopover for cyclists and mountain bikers, A rest area for donkey trekkers, who can enjoy the meadows beneath the refuge. A meeting point where you can simply enjoy the view from the terrace and take full advantage of nature.

Restaurant of typical high mountain pasture, located in Fontcouverte, a hamlet +1860m. Formerly a place where cheese was made, the Fruitière now operates as a restaurant, and is an unmissable stop in the higher Clarée valley.Anything from snacks to real meals, you will find housecooked, local food and moutain specialties. Open everyday in wintertime, summertime and All Saints' Day holidays. Booking in advance is recommanded for lunches, and necessary for dinners (dinners only in summertime). Access in wintertime is only on foot/snowshoe, or ski. 1h30 from Névache Ville-Haute. During the summer, the road is accessible either by car, bike or on foot. Please note that credit/debit cards are not accepted : cash or cheques only.