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Hike to the mountain hut of Désert de Platé

Hike to the mountain hut of Désert de Platé_Passy
Hike to the mountain hut of Désert de Platé
Hike to the mountain hut of Désert de Platé
Hike to the mountain hut of Désert de Platé

Description

Discover a site of exceptional geological, floristic and faunistic richness. Up there await you a lunar landscape and a sumptuous panorama. The Platé Desert is the largest lapiaz in Europe.

From the Praz-Coutant parking lot (Roc des Fiz Memorial, near Résidence Le Fontenay), take the Chemin du Désert de Platé, which starts beside the Cross.

Relatively easy at first, the path becomes steeper towards the Charbonnière chalets. A footbridge crosses the Ugine stream before turning right, due north, towards the Platé refuge.

This single path zigzags through the forest, then steepens and weaves its way through a system of ledges leading to the exit chimney (physical ascent and some tricky passages).

A short metal footbridge leads to the plateau, where you can admire the chalets. Continue north to reach the Platé refuge (2032 m), an ideal place to recharge your batteries.

Return by the same route.

Thousand-year-old formations, the lapiaz of Platé inspire respect for the forces at work since geological times. Stay on the paths and don't pick plants in these delicate environments.

Technical Information

Walking
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
3h
Dist.
8 km
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Altimetric profile

Starting point

Route de Plaine-Joux Parking en face de Praz Coutant , 74190   Passy
Lat : 45.946414Lng : 6.72141

Points of interest

Date and time

  • From 15/06/2026 to 15/11/2026

Additional information

Environments

Close to GR footpath
Mountain view
Mountain location
In a nature reserve
Close to a public transportation
Bus stop < 500 m

Updated by

Office de Tourisme de Passy - 20/11/2025
www.passy-mont-blanc.com
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Open period

From 15/06 to 15/11.
Access depending on snow conditions.

Subject to favorable weather.

Type of land

Rock
Stone
Ground
Not suitable for strollers

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

1) Praz Coutant parking lot on Route de Plaine-Joux / Roc des Fiz Memorial
2) Take the Chemin du Désert de Platé beside the Cross
3) Begin the climb following the signs for Charbonnière
4) After crossing the Ugine and about 500m before Charbonnière, take the path that climbs to the right towards Platé
5) Passage des Egratz
6) Refuge de Platé
Return by the same route

Animals

Yes

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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! 🌳🥾