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WALK 13

Refuge de L’Orgère (1935m: 6348ft)

Start	Modane (1058m: 3471ft)
Valley base	Modane
Distance	5.5km (3½ miles) one way
Total ascent	877m (2877ft)
Time	2½–3hrs
Map	Rando Éditions Carte de Randonnées A3 ‘Vanoise’ 1:50,000

The approach to this hut marks the first stage of the magnificent 10–12 day Tour of the Vanoise, a hut-to-hut circuit of the Vanoise National Park which starts and ends at Modane in the Maurienne (the valley of l’Arc) to the east of Grenoble. This particular section of that longer walk climbs from the Maurienne through forest and across brief open pastures, then emerges to the mouth of the Orgère glen, dominated by the graceful Aiguille Doran. Using the hut as a base a number of fine expeditions are possible, and unless your plan is to tackle the Tour of the Vanoise, or one of its variants, it would be worth booking in for two or three nights.

Beginning at Modane railway station (served by main-line trains via Chambéry) wander upvalley along the main road towards Modane ville. Shortly after passing a supermarket turn left on a minor road signposted to le Bourget. This takes you beneath the railway line and into the village of L’Outraz. Follow red-white waymarks ahead at a staggered crossroads, continue uphill between houses and bear right by a small chapel. The road soon becomes a tree-lined track. When it forks bear right over a bridge. Winding uphill among trees the track narrows to a footpath.

Climbing through the forest you will come to many trail junctions. Mostly the way to take is obvious – the path is part of the GR5 which makes a traverse of the French Alps from the Lake of Geneva to the Mediterranean. Signposts or waymarks appear wherever doubts could arise, with Orgère on most of the signs. Eventually emerge from the trees to a lovely open meadow by the solitary stone chalet of Pierre Brune (about 2½hrs), from which good views are had to the east through the Haute Maurienne. Across the meadow come to a track where you bear right for a few paces, then join a continuing trail rising to the left. (About 5mins further along the track stands another hut; the privately owned Refuge de l’Aiguille Doran with 40 places and meals provided from mid-June to mid-September.) The path re-enters forest, then contours round the hillside to a fork just below a minor road. Go up to the road, leaving GR5, and just ahead stands Refuge de l’Orgère.

Refuge de l’Orgére

Refuge de l’Orgère belongs to the Vanoise National Park and is one of the ‘portes du parc’. It has 70 places and restaurant service when it is manned. This is from mid-June to mid-September (Tel: 04 79 05 11 65, email: refuge.orgere@free.fr). Advanced booking advised.

A nature trail runs along the eastern side of the valley, while a more demanding trail makes a high traverse of the western side. There’s a route over Col de la Masse to Refuge du Fond d’Aussois, or a circuit to be made of the Tête Noire. Alternatively follow the Tour of the Vanoise to Plan Sec where there’s another privately-owned hut.