Hiking - From the Refuge du Grand Bec to the Refuge du Plan des Gouilles

A foray to the foot of the Grand Bec (3,398 m) in a high-mountain setting. The trail winds through a vast expanse of vegetation dotted with blueberry bushes. Like a sentinel among the conifers, the Tour du Merle marks the way into the Champagny-le-Haut valley, where the clear waters of the Doron tumble down.

Leave the refuge, heading towards the village of Plan Fournier. Start by crossing a small pass 100m away, then descend into the valley towards the village.
At the first junction, turn right. The trail crosses a heathland (low-lying vegetation), then continue straight on through the Bois Blanc forest; the trail is consistently well-marked.
Once you reach Plan Fournier, take the trail on the right that climbs up through the forest to a ridge, which takes you over to the other side.
From the ridge, a short 150m detour is a must: take the small path on the left to reach the foot of the Tour du Merle rocks.

Go back down, and at the first junction, turn right towards "Chalets de Méribel". Continue along the traverse until the next junction, turn right again for the final climb up to the Refuge du Plan des Gouilles.

To return directly to Champagny-le-Haut and the Refuge du Bois, turn left at the junction before the Chalets de Méribel, towards Les Enclos du Seil.

Location

PLANAY

Type

Point to point

Distance

8.94 km

Duration

≈ 3h55

Ascent

807 m

Descent

911 m

Open in Trailence

Source https://rando.vanoise.com/trek/56358