Evarist Chancel Mountain Hut
Evariste Chancel refuge (2508 m) has 39 beds and is located on a terrace overlooking the valley of the Romanche river and La Grave village, where you will enjoy a magnificent viewpoint over the valley of the Haute Romanche.
During summer the refuge is accessible from the cable car station along Lake Puy Vachier (1h). For the more energetic, there is also a trail from La Grave (3h) Easy trails.
*To do in summer, starting from the refuge: Mountaineering: The Râteau , the Pic de la Grave
Hiking: Col des Ruillans, Brêche Pacave
Fishing in Lake Puy Vachier
In winter, the refuge is accessible only on skis (skiing, snowboarding, telemark ...). The snow is not groomed, trails are not marked, and that's precisely what attracts true mountain lovers.
During winter, the last ascent with the Cable car of les Glaciers de La Meije is offered if you buy a ski pass for the next day!
*In winter : Freeride / Backcountry Skiing / Mountaineering
Overtures :
From 16/12/2023 to 22/04/2024, daily.
From 10/06 to 08/09/2024, daily.

Refuge Evariste Chancel
Peyrou d'Aval
La Grave
Situé à 3 km de Villar d'Arène. Accessible à pied l’Eté depuis la gare intermédiaire du téléphérique des Glaciers de La Meije (environ 1 heure de marche) ou depuis le village de La Grave ( environ 3h de marche )L'Hiver, le refuge est accessible uniquement en glissant depuis la gare de 3200m (ski, surf, télémark...), ou en montant avec les peaux de phoque.
Phone : 06 80 59 84 91
Book online
La Grave la Meije's cable car
The cable car takes you up to the Ruillans Pass. At 3211m above sea level, at the Girose Glacier not far from La Meije ! You will be able to contemplate a grandiose panorama and see different peaks from the Vercors range to the Mont Blanc massif.
The freeride ski area of La Grave La Meije
The off-piste ski area of La Grave La Meije is unique. The gondola lift takes you up to 3200 m of altitude, a stunning scenery and 2150 m of vertical through varied terrain that remains largely untouched by the changes that usually come with a ski lift.
Le Refuge Evariste Chancel à partir de la gare intermédiaire du Téléphérique de La Grave
La Grave
04 76 79 90 05
Le Refuge Evariste Chancel à partir de la gare intermédiaire du Téléphérique de La Grave
La traversée jusqu'au Refuge en passant par le lac de Puy Vachier offre un beau panorama sur les alpages et sommets du versant sud de la vallée: le plateau d’Emparis, les pics du Goléon et du Mas de la Grave, les Aiguilles d’Arves et les Trois Evêchés.
Hiking from La Grave to the Evariste Chancel Mountain Hut
A hike with the goal of a lake and a mountain hut is a godsend! You can enjoy the tranquility of the Puy Vachier Lake, a 120 m below the lake, before getting refreshments at the scenic terrace.
Puy Vachier Lake
Puy Vachier Lake is at the bottom of a valley surrounded by rocky bar in a rather mineral world, close to the second intermediate of the cable car station; about 1 hour walk.
There is a lovely larch forest in lowlands of the Lake.