Refuge d'Avérole - Discovering an authentic valley with your family

At the end of the Bessans plateau, the green valley of Avérole opens up, overlooked by the impressive blue-tinted Charbonnel glacier.
A pretty path between meadows and mountain hamlets, oratories and chapels along the Avérole torrent.

Description

You enter this postcard through the hamlet of Goulaz, then Vincendières and at the end, Avérole. These typical mountain hamlets with stone, slate and wood chalets bear witness to a pastoral life that was once intense. Far from the village, the chapels and oratories bear witness to the fervent faith of the mountain people. Note that the Chapel of Saint-Pierre d'Avérole is listed as a historical monument.
From the refuge, you can see the impressive peaks, all of which are over 3,000 metres high. The Pointe du Charbonnel 3752 m is the highest point of the Alps.
A timeless valley where many scenes from the "Belle et Sébastien" films were shot and where peddlers once followed the route to neighbouring Italy.
Possibility of taking the Bessans - Vincendières - Avérole shuttle bus in summer.

Additional welcome

The Avérole refuge has been awarded the "Refuge en Famille" label

Environments

• Waterside
• Riverside
• Mountain view
• Mountain location

Rates

Free access.

Itinerary

• Distance 9.6km
• Route type LOOP
• Elevation gain 400m
• Negative gradient 400m
• Daily duration 02h45
• Roaming time 2 jours
• Signposted itinerary Yes
• Nature of the land Stone, Ground, Not suitable for strollers
• Maximum altitude 2200m

Opening period

From 15/06 to 15/09.

Subject to favorable weather.

Additional opening

• Subject to favorable weather

Spoken languages

• French

Location

On leaving Bessans, turn right towards Avérole and park in the Vincendières car park.

Animals

Pets allowed : Yes

Pets allowed with supplement: No

Pets are allowed under certain conditions. On a leash, on the paths and/or in the presence of herds or hikers. Allowed in the refuge.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

• 0/ : Parking des Vincendières.
  1/: 250 m after the hamlet of Les Vincendières, take the path on the left which leads a little before the hamlet of Avérole.
  2/ : Continue on the road and after crossing Avérole, follow the left track to the foot of the refuge (then count 20 minutes on a rather steep path to reach the refuge).
  3/ : On the way down, reach the left bank of the torrent by the footbridge downstream from the refuge car park. The path, at first a bit strenuous, brings you back in front of the hamlet of Vincendières (small bridge).