Refuge de la Selle - Hiking

Isère ()

Frédéric Chevaillot - Photographe

Eric Beallet

Description

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Start: Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans (1475 m)
Difference in altitude: 1,173 m
Duration round trip: 4h one way, 3h return
Distance: 8.2 km
Level - technical: easy / physical: moderate

MAP AND TOPO
OBP n° 5 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds) : 538
IGN TOP 25 n°3336 ET

The Refuge, set on a promontory, faces the Glacier de la Selle and the foot of the Râteau. Like many of its counterparts in the massif, it sits at the end of its valley, where the realm of hiking is slowly giving way to that of the high mountains.

The trail rises into the Vallon de la Selle, revealing its waterfalls and incredible flora. The last hour of the walk offers a magical panorama of the Glacier de la Selle, which can be approached after a further hour's walk.
This long hike takes place in a fantastic atmosphere, with glaciers nearby, marmots and particularly remarkable alpine flora.

INTERESTING FACTS
- Even in summer, there can still be numerous snowdrifts, so be careful when crossing them.
- You're in the Parc national des Écrins, so respect the regulations: don't go off the paths, and don't pick, light fires or camp. For the sake of wildlife, dogs are forbidden (even on a leash).