The Heart of the Beaufortain
In 3 days
With every step, you will discover another aspect of an unspoilt landscape of green pastures, surrounded by snowy peaks and dotted with sparkling lakes. This walk is a perfect way of spending a long weekend, relaxing in the heart of a living and working mountain community, while breathing the fresh and revitalising air of the alpine meadows. If the Beaufortain could be summed up in one word, that word would be harmony, especially when it comes to tantalising the taste buds with a morsel of the area's great ambassador and the "Prince of Gruyères" - Beaufort cheese.
Start district: Beaufort sur Doron
Type of itinerary: A to B
Best season: from spring to summer
Road access: From Beaufort head towards Roselend, and then to the Cormet. Park at the Plan de la Lai, just after the hut (approx. 3 km before the Cormet de Roselend).
Start car park: Plan de la Lai car park
Waymarkers: GRP Tour du Beaufortain and GR5 and GRP Tour of Mont Blanc
Maps and guides: IGN Top 25 n° 3532 OT Massif du Beaufortain and 3531 OT Megève
MOUNTAIN HUTS
- Plan de la Lai
Tel: 04 79 38 72 25 / http://caf.albertville.online.fr/
- Refuge du Col du Bonhomme
Tel: hut 04 79 07 05 28 / Tel: warden: 02 99 88 49 15 / http://caf.albertville.online.fr/
- Refuge de Presset
Tel: 06 87 54 09 18 / Tel: 06 14 36 57 67 / CAF Chambéry Tel: 04 79 68 20 77 / http://www.cafchambery.com/
- Refuge de Plan Mya
Tel: 06 08 46 03 10 / Tel and Fax 04 79 38 30 15 / www.refuge-mya.com/
DAY 1: Plan de la Lai to the Refuge du Col du Bonhomme and ascent of the Tête Nord des Fours
Start height: 1818 m
Height difference: + 958 m (inc. Tête des Fours) and - 323 m (+ 615 m direct to hut)
Total time, not including rest stops: 4hrs
Description:
From the Refuge du Plan de la Lai (staffed hut), head towards the Col de la Sauce (2307 m). The path follows the impressive Crête des Gittes to the Refuge du Col du Bonhomme. Leave your gear in the hut to lighten the load for the walk to the Tête Nord des Fours (2756 m), which offers an exceptional view.
Highlight
It is possible to do the tour of the Rocher du Vent (spectacular via ferrata).
From pastures to summits, this first stage offers outstanding views of Mont Blanc, a mere stone's throw away.
DAY 2: Refuge du Col du Bonhomme to the Refuge de Presset
Start height: 2433 m
Height difference: + 881 m and - 890 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 6hrs
Description:
The path starts behind the hut, on the right, and then descends towards Les Chapieux. At the Chalets de la Raja, bear left to get to and follow the road to the Cormet de Roselend. Turn left off the road to go up the Combe de la Neuva to the Col du Grand Fond (2671 m). The Col overlooks the Lac de Presset and the Pierra Menta. Go down to the hut.
NB: The Refuge de Presset only sleeps 24, so advance booking is essential.
Highlight
The superbly situated Refuge de Presset offers a magnificent view of the Pierra Menta. (Include the legend: see Lac de Presset walk).
DAY 3: From the Refuge de Presset to the Plan de la Lai
Start height: 2514 m
Height difference: + 238 m and - 1000 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 4hrs
Description:
Follow the path to the Col Bresson, just to the north of the Pierra Menta. Go over the Col to follow a path overlooking the Lac de Roselend. At the junction with the path to the Col du Coin, turn right and go down towards the hamlet of Treicol. Before reaching the hamlet, bear left to follow the GR to the Grande Berge, the Petite Berge and the pastures of the Plan Mya.
This route can also be done in the other direction, in which case it is possible to spend a night at the beginning or the end of the tour at the gîte de Plan Mya.
Highlight
This leg offers a different perspective on the Pierra Menta, in which its needle-shaped profile metamorphoses into a squat tooth. The view of the turquoise waters of the Lac de Roselend is magnificent.
