Whether you’re a contemplative or sporty type, you’re bound to find something to suit you in our massif, and to help you prepare your visit here are 5 great hiking ideas in Beaufortain, around Plan Mya. These descriptions do not replace the need to consult an IGN map, and we encourage you to adapt them to the weather, your physical condition and the time you have available.
Information about respecting the mountains when bivouacking in the Beaufortain :
www.areches-beaufort.com/la-montagne-respect
Short walks
La cabine
If you want to whet your appetite before lunch or a relaxing walk, the belvedere and its English telephone box are the perfect target! If you follow the track all the way to the Chalet de Mora, after which you have to turn right to continue along a path through the mountain pastures, you’ll come to a superb viewpoint overlooking Lac de Roselend, its dam and the Beaufortain valley. It’s also one of the few places near the refuge where there’s a telephone network, which is why the alpagiste had the (crazy) idea of installing a phone box here, so you can take original souvenir photos of your visit.
65m
1,6km
20min
Easy
Round trip
Grande berge
If you follow the track that passes in front of our refuge, you can go far, very far, as far as Nice! But if you don’t have several weeks ahead of you, you can reach Grande berge more modestly in 1h30/2h. The route is very well signposted to this breathtaking viewpoint, from where you can admire the Beaufortain valley, the Roselend dam, the Roc du Vent and Mont Blanc. You may even be lucky enough to spot a few marmots along the way. You can also stop off at a small bank, which will shorten your walk by an hour.
400m
7,5km
3h
Easy
Round trip
Le roc du vent
If you’re looking for an original and spectacular hike, the Roc du Vent is the place to head for. Between the tunnel (remember to bring a headlamp) and the balcony path, this itinerary is not recommended for those prone to claustrophobia or vertigo, but for everyone else, the magical view of the Gittaz and Roselend dams and Mont Blanc will be unforgettable!
From Plan de la Lai (a 5-minute walk from Plan Mya), head towards Chalet de la Plate, from where the steep path to Roc du Vent starts. There are several possible ascents and itineraries, so choose the one that suits your abilities and your desires. The path out of the tunnel, which climbs straight up towards a canyon in the cliffs, is reserved for very good hikers who are not very impressionable; you can also return to the tunnel and take the path back down if the balcony path seems too steep. If you are prone to claustrophobia, follow the ‘Roc du Vent’ route rather than the ‘Tunel’, which will give you easy access to the canyon from where you can admire the Roselend dam or the Col de la Lauze, which offers a sublime view of Mont Blanc and the Gittaz valley.
For the more sporty, there is a via ferrata on the Roc du vent. Don’t forget to hire the obligatory equipment in Beaufort or Arêches!
588m
8,5km
4h
Intermediate
Round trip
Short walks
La cabine
If you want to whet your appetite before lunch or a relaxing walk, the belvedere and its English telephone box are the perfect target! If you follow the track all the way to the Chalet de Mora, after which you have to turn right to continue along a path through the mountain pastures, you’ll come to a superb viewpoint overlooking Lac de Roselend, its dam and the Beaufortain valley. It’s also one of the few places near the refuge where there’s a telephone network, which is why the alpagiste had the (crazy) idea of installing a phone box here, so you can take original souvenir photos of your visit.
Grande berge
If you follow the track that passes in front of our refuge, you can go far, very far, as far as Nice! But if you don’t have several weeks ahead of you, you can reach Grande berge more modestly in 1h30/2h. The route is very well signposted to this breathtaking viewpoint, from where you can admire the Beaufortain valley, the Roselend dam, the Roc du Vent and Mont Blanc. You may even be lucky enough to spot a few marmots along the way. You can also stop off at a small bank, which will shorten your walk by an hour.
Le roc du vent
If you’re looking for an original and spectacular hike, the Roc du Vent is the place to head for. Between the tunnel (remember to bring a headlamp) and the balcony path, this itinerary is not recommended for those prone to claustrophobia or vertigo, but for everyone else, the magical view of the Gittaz and Roselend dams and Mont Blanc will be unforgettable!
From Plan de la Lai (a 5-minute walk from Plan Mya), head towards Chalet de la Plate, from where the steep path to Roc du Vent starts. There are several possible ascents and itineraries, so choose the one that suits your abilities and your desires. The path out of the tunnel, which climbs straight up towards a canyon in the cliffs, is reserved for very good hikers who are not very impressionable; you can also return to the tunnel and take the path back down if the balcony path seems too steep. If you are prone to claustrophobia, follow the ‘Roc du Vent’ route rather than the ‘Tunel’, which will give you easy access to the canyon from where you can admire the Roselend dam or the Col de la Lauze, which offers a sublime view of Mont Blanc and the Gittaz valley.
For the more sporty, there is a via ferrata on the Roc du vent. Don’t forget to hire the obligatory equipment in Beaufort or Arêches!
Day trips
La vallée de la Sauce
Via the Col du Bonhomme and the Gittes ridge
Starting from Plan de la Lai (5 min walk from Plan Mya), a mountain pasture track climbs to Col de la Sauce (2307m). You can follow it or prefer the paths that cut through the bends. After the Col de la Sauce, follow the Gittes ridge path. Originally designed around 1910 to house artillery batteries to protect the border, it is now a hiking trail, sometimes vertiginous, offering breathtaking views of the valley’s high alpine pastures.
At the end of this traverse, you’ll soon see the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme refuge (2412m), where you can grab a bite to eat before continuing on to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m), from where you’ll begin the descent into the Sauce valley. From this small valley, you can go directly to the Col de la Sauce and descend along the same path you took on the ascent or, if your legs are strong enough, reach the Chalet de la Lauze via the Chalet de Bel Air. You can then complete this wonderful day with a tour of Roc du Vent (allow at least an extra 1h) or descend to Plan de la Lai via La Plate.
900m
17km
6h30
Intermediate
Round trip
Col du Bresson, Lac de Presset, Combe de la Neuva
Nature, let yourself be carried along by this watercourse through the valley
In one day for experienced hikers or in two days for those who want to take their time, this loop offers the pleasures of hiking in the mountain pastures and high mountains, between bucolic passages and mineral charm you may have the privilege of crossing the path of chamois or ibex. There may be snow on this route, so be sure to equip yourself accordingly.
From Plan Mya, follow the GR5 trail (identified by white and red markers) towards the Presset refuge. This first part of the hike is marked by the omnipresence of the Roselend dam, which appears regularly between the slopes of the pastures, and contrasts sharply with the rest of the route, which is much more mineral and wild. Once you reach the chalets de Presset (2003m), take the path on the left to continue following the GR5 to the Col du Bresson (2466m), from where you follow the signs for the refuge de Presset (2490m). This refuge is located near a mountain lake, in a breathtaking setting with a breathtaking view of the famous Pierra Menta.
You can stop here for the night if you prefer a 2-day hike. The path to the right of the lake will take you to the Col du Grand Fond (2654m), from where you can enjoy a sublime view of the refuge and Lac de Presset. You then follow the signs for Cormet de Roselend, which you reach by descending the Neuva valley. This part of the hike is done with Mont Blanc in your sights – sublime! Then follow the road back to your starting point.
1255m
22km
10h
Difficult
Loop
Day trips
La vallée de la Sauce
Via the Col du Bonhomme and the Gittes ridge
Starting from Plan de la Lai (5 min walk from Plan Mya), a mountain pasture track climbs to Col de la Sauce (2307m). You can follow it or prefer the paths that cut through the bends. After the Col de la Sauce, follow the Gittes ridge path. Originally designed around 1910 to house artillery batteries to protect the border, it is now a hiking trail, sometimes vertiginous, offering breathtaking views of the valley’s high alpine pastures.
At the end of this traverse, you’ll soon see the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme refuge (2412m), where you can grab a bite to eat before continuing on to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m), from where you’ll begin the descent into the Sauce valley. From this small valley, you can go directly to the Col de la Sauce and descend along the same path you took on the ascent or, if your legs are strong enough, reach the Chalet de la Lauze via the Chalet de Bel Air. You can then complete this wonderful day with a tour of Roc du Vent (allow at least an extra 1h) or descend to Plan de la Lai via La Plate.
Col du Bresson, Lac de Presset, Combe de la Neuva
Nature, let yourself be carried along by this watercourse through the valley
In one day for experienced hikers or in two days for those who want to take their time, this loop offers the pleasures of hiking in the mountain pastures and high mountains, between bucolic passages and mineral charm you may have the privilege of crossing the path of chamois or ibex. There may be snow on this route, so be sure to equip yourself accordingly.
From Plan Mya, follow the GR5 trail (identified by white and red markers) towards the Presset refuge. This first part of the hike is marked by the omnipresence of the Roselend dam, which appears regularly between the slopes of the pastures, and contrasts sharply with the rest of the route, which is much more mineral and wild. Once you reach the chalets de Presset (2003m), take the path on the left to continue following the GR5 to the Col du Bresson (2466m), from where you follow the signs for the refuge de Presset (2490m). This refuge is located near a mountain lake, in a breathtaking setting with a breathtaking view of the famous Pierra Menta.
You can stop here for the night if you prefer a 2-day hike. The path to the right of the lake will take you to the Col du Grand Fond (2654m), from where you can enjoy a sublime view of the refuge and Lac de Presset. You then follow the signs for Cormet de Roselend, which you reach by descending the Neuva valley. This part of the hike is done with Mont Blanc in your sights – sublime! Then follow the road back to your starting point.
