Our selection of hikes in Clarée:
The Chardonnet Valley

Discover the most beautiful hikes in Clarée

One of the most beautiful hikes in the Clarée Valley?

This magnificent hike which will take you to the Vallon du Chardonnet, has an estimated difficulty level of 2 on a scale of 5. The altitude difference is 350 meters to reach the Chardonnet refuge or 800 meters for the Col (located at 2 meters). Allow 638 hour of walking to go up to the refuge, then 1 hours more for the Col.

CAUTION: To better manage the influx of visitors, access to the upper Clarée valley is restricted in certain time slots from mid-July to mid-August. However, a shuttle allows you to travel at any time between Névache and Laval. Information here.

Equip yourself with the IGN TOP25 3535OT card to accompany you on your hikes in Névache and Vallée de la Clarée.

How to access the Vallon du Chardonnet?

From Briançon, go to the Clarée Valley. Arrive at our Chalet Hotel, head towards Ville-haute. Once there, continue on the road towards the Haute Vallée de la Clarée. Then, you can't go wrong: you will have arrived at the first bridge which crosses the Clarée. This bridge (called de la Fruitière) is located at Cottages Foncouverte. You can park in the car park located after the bridge opposite the campsite.

This is where you can start your hike:

Take the path towards the northern slope of the valley. It starts from the Fontcouverte campsite. You must follow the sign “Le refuge du Chardonnet”.
1 hour of walking later, you will arrive at the refuge with a magnificent view worthy of the most beautiful postcards.
Those who wish to walk a little more can continue the path along the Vallon du Chardonnet following the signs indicating “Chardonnet Pass.”
The ascent to the pass is quite quiet, but long (2 hours), however after the effort: comfort! You will be rewarded with a superb panoramic view of the Meige and the Ecrins.
To go back down, choose to go through the pretty Lac de la Mine. It is located to the left of the trail, just below the Col. You will have to leave the trail briefly to discover it.