FATMAP by Strava

High Maurienne Trail to Refuge Carro

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

Charbonnel Group

A walk along the rocky alpine pastures, facing the majestic glacial cirques of the Arc springs.

Hiking Moderate

Distance
22 km
Ascent
908 m
Descent
908 m
Duration
5-6 hrs
Low Point
2.5 km
High Point
2.8 km
Gradient
12˚
High Maurienne Trail to Refuge Carro Map

While hiking this route, you will feel so small amidst the magnificent Alps. It traverses through yellow grasses and green pastures and takes a balcony path where the view of the peaks and glaciers of the high Maurienne is exceptional.

Description

The destination, the refuge of Carro, is the highest refuge of the Savoyards Alpine Club at 2,759m. It's situated on a large plateau, near two lakes, in a high mountain site with nearby glaciers, The refuge faces the long border of the Levannason.

From the car park the trail climbs to reach the balcony path, which will offer a permanent panorama of the summits and the massifs: the Vallonnet glacier, the Albaron, the Cirque des Evettes, the glacier of Grand Méan, the peaks of Mulinet and its glacier, the glacier of the sources of the Arc, and the peaks of Levanna.

The trail eventually arrives at the small lake of Pys, dominated by the tip of Montet, then passing under the small and large Aiguille Rousse. Finally, you'll arrive at the Carro refuge.

You can expect mostly rocky singletrack that gets rougher and more barren the higher the trail climbs. At times the effort required to step up/over rocky parts is moderate to hard (no scrambling required), but these sections are dispersed along the route so you can catch your breath and recover.

If you plan to hike this entire route in one day, be sure to reserve enough time. Alternatively, plan to stay overnight at the refuge.

In early summer, some passages can be covered in snow.

This route forms part of the multi-day tour of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise.

Difficulty

Moderate

Hiking along trails with some uneven terrain and small hills. Small rocks and roots may be present.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between July and September

Features

  • Alpine
  • Wildlife
  • Picturesque
  • Wild flowers
  • Water features

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area