Refuge du Mont Pourri

Name: Refuge du Mont Pourri
Rating: 9.7

Panoramic views from the Refuge du Mont Pourri hike in Vanoise National Park, France

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A hike to the Refuge du Mont Pourri will take you among bearded vultures, glaciers, waterfalls, marmots, and a lake. Located near La Plagne and Les Arcs ski areas, you will hike around a large cirque with stunning views, showcasing all that Parc Nationale de la Vanoise has to offer.

Route Description for Refuge du Mont Pourri

From the parking lot, unfortunately you will need to walk along the D87 for 450 m towards the village of Les Lanches. There is a path worn at the side of the road, but be careful about traffic, especially on the bridge crossing Nant Fesson.

At the sign for Les Lanches take the smaller road that goes off to the left, into the village. Follow the road through the village, watching for a bridge on your left. When you see the bridge, cross it and then go left and then go right, following the path up the hill.

This path immediately goes through the hamlet called Beaupraz, which is only a few homes. Above Beaupraz, follow the sign for Refuge du Mont Pourris. When you come to a T-junction, go right. The trail goes up through a larch forest until the monolith of Cargneule. The odd coloring of the rock is very specific to this site in the Vanoise.

The trail continues going roughly east for a while. It flattens out and passes by the abandoned Chalets des Loyes. From there, the hike continues up to La Sévolière. The path goes over the stream, Nant Crust and continues to the Refuge du Mont Pourri on your left.

From the refuge you can enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains and the valley. The refuge is dominated by the 3,779 m Mont Pourri, the third highest summit in Savoie.

Hike back from the refuge the way you came.

Insider Hints for Refuge du Mont Pourri

Choose a day without clouds in order to be able to admire the glaciers on the summits around you.
There are two ways to extend your hike if you want to try an alternative return:At the Refuge, you can see a lake in the background of the cirque, it is Lac de la Plagne. Follow the signs towards this lake. The path will meander along the mountainside. After a bridge over a waterfall there will be a sign for Les Lanches, follow it to return the start. For a longer trip, follow the signs to the lake, however instead of turning at Les Lanches, continue towards the lake. After a small ascent you will arrive at Plan de la Plagne. From here, follow the signs for Refuge de Rosuel to return. Once past the Refuge, cross the parking lot and take the path which first crosses the river and then follows it until Les Lanches. (We recommend starting the hike in the morning if you are going to take this option because the hike will be quite long). The hike from Refuge du Mont Pourri Lac de la Plagne is roughly 6.0 km and the hike to Refuge Rosuel is just over 6km. Refuge Rosuel to your car is roughly 2.2 km.
Keep your eyes open: a couple of bearded vultures live here, if you are lucky you may see them!
You could also do this starting and ending at Refuge Rosuel, a pleasant Refuge.

Getting to the Refuge du Mont Pourri Trailhead

From the tourism office in Peisey-Nancroix, head south on the D87 for 3.5 km to just past the Restaurant Le Fer à Cheval. There is a parking lot just after the restaurant.