The Refuge Temple Écrins

Description

This itinerary takes you to the Refuge Temple Écrins and offers a magnificent panoramic view over the legendary peaks of Les Écrins, a major mountaineering destination. An excursion with a near-Himalayan backdrop, which hugs the Vénon and climbs up through the pines to the Refuge Temple-Écrins, which stands at the foot of the Pilatte glacier. - From the FFCAM buildings and the Mountain Centre ("Maison de la Montagne"), join the path running along the Vénéon towards the Refuge de Temple-Écrins (sign). The path gradually rises along the left-hand bank of the Vénéon, running for 4 kilometres along the valley bottom. - Continue past the Refuge du Carrelet and after a short distance, turn left towards the Refuge de Temple-Écrins (sign). You rise steadily through the woods of Le Carrelet, with some large stone steps. - As you emerge from the forest onto grassy slopes, the landscape opens up before you and the refuge is just 15 minutes away. - To return, follow the outward route in reverse.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Pont de l'ancien camping, Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans (38).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/903482-Le-refuge-Temple-Ecrins). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,023 m, Parc national des Écrins