Trailence

Hiking - Evariste Chancel Refuge and Lake Puy Vachier from 2400m

The traverse to the Refuge via Lake Puy Vachier offers a beautiful panorama of the alpine pastures and peaks on the valley's southern slope: the Plateau d’Emparis, the Goléon and Mas de la Grave peaks, the Aiguilles d’Arves, and Les Trois Evêchés.
Nestled in a rocky cirque amidst a mineral landscape, Lake Puy Vachier offers a wild and unspoiled setting. Below, a larch forest adds a touch of green, contrasting with the starkness of the surrounding terrain.
From the Téléphériques des Glaciers de la Meije mid-station,
at 2400m, follow the signs for Lake Puy Vachier and the Chancel Refuge.

At the start, the trail descends for about sixty metres. At the junction with the trail heading down to La Grave, take the trail on the left that traverses the mountainside to the lake.
Then follow the trail that leads to the Chancel Refuge in about 30 minutes.

Return via the same route.
Location
La Grave
Type
Out and back
Distance
4.77 km
Duration
≈ 1h50
Ascent
316 m
Descent
316 m