Compagnie des Refuges Clarée Thabor
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3 days (2 nights): A family-friendly route starting from Névache (Ville Haute)

Refuges Buffère - Ricou
For a family-friendly route alongside the water's edge and following a balcony path.

step 1
Névache (Ville Haute) to Refuge Buffère

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Leaving Névache, visit the hamlet of Ville Haute, passing the church. Take the lane on the left after the cemetery wall. After Pont de l’Outre, follow the right bank of the Clarée until you reach Pont du Rately. Continue until you reach Refuge Buffère.
BONUS: Once you reach Refuge Buffère you can drop off rucksack and climb up to the little Lac de Privé
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Refuge Buffère

- 2076m
Departure arrival1600 m
Arrival altitude2076 m
Elevation+500m
Time2h

step 2
Refuge Buffère to Refuge Ricou

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From Refuge Buffère, head back down to Pont de la Souchère (1,813 m). Follow the Clarée upstream past the Fontcouverte waterfall to the hamlet of Foncouverte, then cross the bridge in front of Auberge de la Fruitière and take the path up to Refuge Ricou.
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Refuge de Ricou

- 2115m
Departure arrival2075 m
Arrival altitude2115 m
Elevation+300/-200m
Time2h30

step 3
Refuge Ricou to Névache (Ville Haute)

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From Refuge Ricou (2,115 m), pick up the path to the lakes and climb up to Lac Laramon (2,360 m). If you're feeling brave, Lac du Serpent (2,448 m) is just 20 minutes further on. Descend to Lac Laramon and return to the junction 100 metres below. Turn to the left heading towards Névache. Continue down to the GR 57, passing through the chalets of Biaune. Join Névache on the right bank of the Clarée, crossing over Pont du Rately.
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Gite la Decouverte

- 1595m
Departure arrival2115 m
Arrival altitude1600 m
Elevation+330m/-850m
Time3h30
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for this hike
step 1
Névache (Ville Haute) to Refuge Buffère
Refuge Buffère
step 2
Refuge Buffère to Refuge Ricou
Refuge de Ricou
step 3
Refuge Ricou to Névache (Ville Haute)
Gite la Decouverte
Departure arrival1600 m
Arrival altitude2448 m
Elevation+300m à +500m selon les étapes
Timede 2h à 3h30
DifficultyEasy
Seasonin summer