Читать книгу 100 Hut Walks in the Alps - Kev Reynolds - Страница 19

WALK 7

Refuge des Bans (2076m: 6811ft)

Start	Entre les Aygues (1604m: 5262ft)
Valley base	Vallouise
Distance	4km (2½ miles) to the hut
Total ascent	472m (1549ft)
Time	1¾hrs up, 1¼hrs down
Map	Rando Éditions Carte de Randonnées ‘Écrins’ 1:50,000

This short and undemanding walk takes you towards the head of the Vallée de l’Onde west of Vallouise, the main resort and one of the best walking centres on the east side of the Écrins massif. From Vallouise to Entre les Aygues a narrow road pushes along the north bank of the river, passing the clustered hamlet of le Villard and an unmanned campsite (Pont des Places), with mountains crowding ahead within the National Park boundary. The roadhead of Entre les Aygues, as the name suggests, is at the confluence of streams: the Selle which flows from a glen opening to the south, and the Torrent des Bans coming from a narrow valley to the west. Heading this latter glen the rock peak of Les Bans (3669m) forms a barrier between the Bans (l’Onde) valley and that of the Vénèon, and the Refuge des Bans stands on a knoll at its feet.

A signpost at the western end of the parking area near the buvette (refreshment hut) marks the start of the path, and gives a generous 2hrs for the walk. At first the path strikes ahead among larch and silver birch trees on the north side of a gravelly plain, and remains fairly level for about 10mins before rising gently in long switchbacks up the hillside. As height is gained, so the trees thin out to allow clearer views towards the head of the valley where the ragged ridge which closes it runs from les Bans over Pic des Aupillous to Pic Jocelme and Pic de Bonvoisin, their upper flanks draped with minor glaciers and snow patches. Topping a rise the refuge may be detected by those with keen eyesight. It stands end-on atop a rocky knoll some way ahead; at first you may imagine the white-painted shutters at its windows to be tiny patches of snow.

Vallée des Bans, at Entre les Aygues

Midway along the valley cross a small, rough pasture with a stream coming down from the right, and with large boulders littering the upper pastureland slopes. Then you come to a pool on the left of the trail – look for tadpoles here. It’s noted for them. Beyond this more streams need to be crossed, and after heavy rain or early snowmelt you may need to choose a crossing place with care. The trail angles below the hut on its south side, and is aided by fixed cables where it goes along ledges. The way is not difficult, but the cables may be useful in descent during inclement weather. Then the path cuts back to the right to gain Refuge des Bans. Views into the cirque are splendid.

Refuge des Bans is a small hut provided by the CAF. It has just 22 places and meals provided when the guardian is in residence during the summer (usually mid-June to early Sept). Booking is essential for an overnight stay (Tel: 04 92 23 39 48, email caf.briancon@wanadoo.fr). Towards the end of the season, or in bad weather, the hut may be unmanned. If in doubt, enquire at the Vallouise tourist office.

The return to Entre les Aygues is of necessity by the same path. Allow 1¼hrs for this.