Croix of Chamrousse - la Pra mountain refuge
Departure: arrival of the La Croix gondola at 2250m altitude.
In a high-mountain atmosphere, discover the splendid mountain lakes along this hike, especially Lake Léama and its supernatural blue color.
Round trip 6h30 (12.8km)
In a high-mountain atmosphere, discover the splendid mountain lakes along this hike, especially Lake Léama and its supernatural blue color.
Round trip 6h30 (12.8km)
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
Type of route:
:
Aller / Itinerance
6.4
km (distance)
180
minutes (session length)
330
metres (positive drop)
460
metres (negative drop)
La Pra mountain hut
Chamrousse 2250 - La Croix
Departure/Arrival
Point of interest
Circuit n° 1
Road access from Grenoble: Rocade Sud > exit no. 2 "Uriage" > Route départementale 111 (RD 111) on the Seiglières side.
Recommended parking: Parking Henry Duhamel (P7), avenue Henry Duhamel (200 meters and about 2 minutes' walk from the gondola).
Access from Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin via the La Croix gondola.
Public transport - Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin stop:
- regular bus service all year round: N93 (to/from Grenoble), "Chamrousse 1650" stop [merger of former T87, Transaltitude, Destination nature Skibus / Estibus 707].
Good to know - another stop less than 500m away (Place de Belledonne, near the Tourist Office):
- bus line / shuttle service by reservation on weekdays excluding public holidays: Flexo 57 (to/from Uriage), "Chamrousse - Le Recoin" stop [former TAD TouGo - line G701].
- resort shuttle in winter and summer: "Télécabine (1650)" stop (to/from Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger and Chamrousse 1600 - plateau de l'Arselle/nordic area)
Recommended parking: Parking Henry Duhamel (P7), avenue Henry Duhamel (200 meters and about 2 minutes' walk from the gondola).
Access from Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin via the La Croix gondola.
Public transport - Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin stop:
- regular bus service all year round: N93 (to/from Grenoble), "Chamrousse 1650" stop [merger of former T87, Transaltitude, Destination nature Skibus / Estibus 707].
Good to know - another stop less than 500m away (Place de Belledonne, near the Tourist Office):
- bus line / shuttle service by reservation on weekdays excluding public holidays: Flexo 57 (to/from Uriage), "Chamrousse - Le Recoin" stop [former TAD TouGo - line G701].
- resort shuttle in winter and summer: "Télécabine (1650)" stop (to/from Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger and Chamrousse 1600 - plateau de l'Arselle/nordic area)
Download
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.
Pics
Pics
We also suggest...
- Croix of Chamrousse historic site
