The Font Turbat refuge

Description

This hike ascends a magnificent valley shaped by the glaciers and ends at the refuge at the North-West face of the Olan... There are many waterfalls amongst them the Ferrière cascade also called the cascade de la Pisse. Between scree and short vegetation composed of junipers, heathers, the magnificent view of the highest point of the Valbonnais territory, The Olan at an altitude of 3563 m, as well as the welcome at the refuge are the rewards for doing this hike... From the car park situated at the entrance of Désert-en-Valjouffrey, cross the village taking the direction to the East. Intersect the GR 54, by crossing the stream at Laisse: on the left it gives access to the Côte Belle mountain pass and on the right to the Vaurze mountain pass. Take the wide path along the prairie and on the right bank of the Bonne which gives access to the gates of the Ecrins National Park (information signposts). Above the Cascade de la Pisse, continue on the track, which goes up always following the bottom of the valley amongst quite short vegetation which is typical in the rocks... Around the bend in the track, the summit of the Olan appears. Pass close to the Châtellerat cabin. Continue towards the Font Turbat refuge. Return using the same itinerary.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Le-Désert-en-Valjouffrey, Valjouffrey, Valjouffrey (38).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/903949-Le-refuge-de-Font-Turbat). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 924 m, Parc national des Écrins