Compagnie des Refuges Clarée Thabor
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4 days (3 nights): Starting from Pont de l’Alpe (the Lautaret road, RN91)

Refuge du Chardonnet - Refuge Ricou - Refuge des Drayères
A tour of the Cerces, between Guisane and the Clarée.

step 1
From Pont de l’Alpe to Refuge du Chardonnet

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Park at Pont de l’Alpe on the RN 91. Climb to the chalets of l’Alpe du Lauzet (1,940 m) and pass at Col du Chardonnet (2,638 m). Then head down to Refuge du Chardonnet.
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Refuge du Chardonnet

- 2227m
Departure arrival1710 m
Arrival altitude2230 m
Elevation+400/-400m
Time4h

step 2
Refuge du Chardonnet to Refuge Ricou

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Drop down to the hamlet of Foncouverte and continue through the campsite. Cross Pont de Foncouverte, in front of Auberge de la Fruitière, and head up towards Refuge Ricou. Follow the track to Lac Laramon and continue to Pic du Lac Blanc (2,995 m) before returning down to Refuge Ricou through the Gardioles mountain pastures.
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Refuge de Ricou

- 2115m
Departure arrival2230 m
Arrival altitude2115 m
Elevation+1000/1000m
Time8h

step 3
Refuge Ricou to Refuge des Drayères

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Return to Chemin des Lacs and branch off towards Laval on the GR57. Pass Lac de la Cula (2,460 m), and head back towards the bottom of the valley, then take the track towards Refuge des Drayères.
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Refuge des Drayères

- 2180m
Departure arrival2115 m
Arrival altitude2180 m
Elevation+450/-450m
Time5h

step 4
Refuge des Drayères to Pont de l'Alpe

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Head towards the bottom of the valley and pass Lac de la Clarée (2,450 m). Continue to Col des Cerces (2,575 m) and back down to Lac des Cerces (2,396 m). Make the short climb up Col de la Ponsonnière (2,610 m). And to finish this little circuit, drop down into the large valley.
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Departure arrival2180 m
Arrival altitude1710 m
Elevation+500/-900m
Time6h
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for this hike
step 1
From Pont de l’Alpe to Refuge du Chardonnet
Refuge du Chardonnet
step 2
Refuge du Chardonnet to Refuge Ricou
Refuge de Ricou
step 3
Refuge Ricou to Refuge des Drayères
Refuge des Drayères
step 4
Refuge des Drayères to Pont de l'Alpe
Departure arrival1710 m
Arrival altitude2995 m
Elevation+400m à +1000m selon les étapes
Timede 4h à 8h
DifficultyDifficulty Medium
Seasonin summer