Croix of Chamrousse - la Pra mountain refuge
Departure: La Croix gondola's arrival at 2250m of altitude.
In a high mountain atmosphere, discover the magnificent mountain lakes along this hike, and especially Lake Léama with its supernatural blue colour.
In a high mountain atmosphere, discover the magnificent mountain lakes along this hike, and especially Lake Léama with its supernatural blue colour.
At the end of the path, gaze at this large open country scattered with streams and listen to the marmots whistling at your arrival. If you ever decide to sleep at the mountain hut of La Pra, you may see chamois early in the morning pasturing nearby.
La Pra is a mountain pasture too. Sheep are proudly looked after by patous (Pyrenean mountain dogs). We advise you not to cross the flock and to keep your dog on a leash going staying as far as possible.
Some advices for approaching a herd in the mountains:
• When approaching herds, slow down, don't run. Move with a steady step, and speak with a low and posed voice (without shouting)
• Don't agitate, don't wield sticks, have slow and gentle gestures
• Don't approach and want to seek contact with animals
• Avoid looking at the animals in the eyes as much as possible (lowering the head and observing them from the side). Also trying to remove sunglasses that can attack animals (their vision is not the same as ours).
Pets allowed: dogs are allowed in the gondola in the summer as well as on all trails on a leash.
The shepherd who works in Chamrousse in the summer has no Pyrenean Mountain Dog. However, you can meet some in the Pra sector.
La Pra is a mountain pasture too. Sheep are proudly looked after by patous (Pyrenean mountain dogs). We advise you not to cross the flock and to keep your dog on a leash going staying as far as possible.
Some advices for approaching a herd in the mountains:
• When approaching herds, slow down, don't run. Move with a steady step, and speak with a low and posed voice (without shouting)
• Don't agitate, don't wield sticks, have slow and gentle gestures
• Don't approach and want to seek contact with animals
• Avoid looking at the animals in the eyes as much as possible (lowering the head and observing them from the side). Also trying to remove sunglasses that can attack animals (their vision is not the same as ours).
Pets allowed: dogs are allowed in the gondola in the summer as well as on all trails on a leash.
The shepherd who works in Chamrousse in the summer has no Pyrenean Mountain Dog. However, you can meet some in the Pra sector.
La Pra - refuge and lakes: Natura 2000 site/classified site/registered site
❌Prohibited: fire (except camping stove) and bivouac under the La Pra refuge (from July, 15th to August, 31th) and around the Claret and Merlat lakes (all year)
✔️Authorised: bivouac from sunset to sunrise (outside the refuge area, Claret and Merlat lakes) / Advised: hiking on developed paths and dog on a lead, especially near herds with patous (protection and defence dogs).
❌Prohibited: fire (except camping stove) and bivouac under the La Pra refuge (from July, 15th to August, 31th) and around the Claret and Merlat lakes (all year)
✔️Authorised: bivouac from sunset to sunrise (outside the refuge area, Claret and Merlat lakes) / Advised: hiking on developed paths and dog on a lead, especially near herds with patous (protection and defence dogs).
Opening periodFrom 30/06 to 01/10.
Subject to snow conditions.
Subject to snow conditions.
Contact
Croix of Chamrousse - la Pra mountain refuge
Croix de Chamrousse (sommet station)
Chamrousse 2250
38410
Chamrousse
- Spoken language(s) :
- French
- English
Route









Circuit n° 1
Road access to the resort from Grenoble: "Rocade Sud" > "Uriage" exit n°2 > 111 road (RD 111) on the Seiglières side.
Recommended parking: Henry Duhamel parking (P7), avenue Henry Duhamel (200 metres and about 2 minutes on foot from the gondola).
Hike access from Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin via the Croix gondola.
Public transport - stop Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin:
- bus line T87 (to/from Grenoble), stop "Chamrousse 1650".
- seasonal bus lines [summer]: Estibus 707 (to/from Grenoble), stop "CHAMROUSSE LE RECOIN VFD".
Good to know - another stop less than 500m away (place de Belledonne, near the Tourist Office):
- resort shuttle: "Télécabine (1650)" stop (to/from Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger and Chamrousse 1600 - plateau de l'Arselle/nordic area)
- transport on demand (TAD) TouGo - line G701 to/from Uriage : stop "Chamrousse - Le Recoin
Recommended parking: Henry Duhamel parking (P7), avenue Henry Duhamel (200 metres and about 2 minutes on foot from the gondola).
Hike access from Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin via the Croix gondola.
Public transport - stop Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin:
- bus line T87 (to/from Grenoble), stop "Chamrousse 1650".
- seasonal bus lines [summer]: Estibus 707 (to/from Grenoble), stop "CHAMROUSSE LE RECOIN VFD".
Good to know - another stop less than 500m away (place de Belledonne, near the Tourist Office):
- resort shuttle: "Télécabine (1650)" stop (to/from Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger and Chamrousse 1600 - plateau de l'Arselle/nordic area)
- transport on demand (TAD) TouGo - line G701 to/from Uriage : stop "Chamrousse - Le Recoin
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General informations
- Services :
- Pets allowed
- Additional openings :
- Depending on snow conditions
Equipments & Services
- Leisure facilities :
- Picnic area
- Orientation board
- Restaurants :
- Catering
To note
- Help for client/transport :
- Help for client/transport
About
Discovery of the mountain lakes and of high mountain.
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