Refuge du Fond d'Aussois

The Refuge du Fond d'Aussois is a mountain refuge located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France, at the heart of Vanoise National Park. It is part of the Refuges Vanoise network, a collection of mountain huts that support the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise, a long-distance hiking circuit that can be completed in four to seven days depending on the route and pace. The refuge sits in a high alpine valley between the Pointe de l'Échelle to the west and the Dent Parrachée to the east, dominated by the Tête d'Aussois and Roche Chevrière to the north. To the south, views open onto the Dents d'Ambin and the Aiguille de Scolette on the Maurienne side. Below the refuge in the valley are two small reservoir lakes, the Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval. The refuge is gardienned for part of the year, during which it offers 52 places; when unguarded, capacity is reduced to 20 places. It provides a salle hors-sac (a room where hikers can eat their own food) equipped with various amenities. Access on foot is via the Plan d'Amont parking area, followed by about a 1 hour 30 minute walk north toward Roche Chevrière. In winter, the ski lifts of the Aussois ski area can be used to approach the refuge. The refuge serves as a base for ascents of the Pointe de l'Observatoire, Pointe de l'Échelle, Dôme de l'Arpont, Pointe de Labby, and Aiguille Doran. It also enables the crossing of the Vanoise between Aussois and Pralognan via the Col d'Aussois and the Refuge du Roc. The surrounding valley is populated by Tarine cattle and goats, as well as wildlife including chamois, marmots, and wolves. As part of the Refuges Vanoise network, the refuge is presented as a living mountain cabin, offering an immersive experience in the wild, summer and winter, amid glaciers, alpine pastures, and silent ridges.

The Refuge du Fond d'Aussois is a mountain refuge situated in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France, within the Vanoise National Park. It forms part of the Refuges Vanoise network, which operates a collection of mountain huts along the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise. The network presents the refuges as living mountain cabins that provide an immersive experience in the wild, summer and winter, amid glaciers, alpine pastures, and silent ridges. The Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise can be hiked in four to seven days depending on pace and itinerary, with two main entry points: via the Tarentaise, offering a progressive introduction to high mountain terrain, and via the Maurienne, providing a more direct, mineral, and wild approach. In summer, the trails reveal alpine pastures, lakes, and high-altitude passages; in winter, the tour takes on a more committed and intimate character, with some routes becoming winter itineraries reserved for experienced and well-equipped practitioners. The refuge itself is gardienned for part of the year, during which it accommodates 52 people; when unguarded, capacity is reduced to 20 places. It has a salle hors-sac equipped with various amenities. Access on foot is from the Plan d'Amont parking area, followed by about a 1 hour 30 minute walk north toward Roche Chevrière. In winter, the ski lifts of the Aussois ski area can be used. The refuge is located between the Pointe de l'Échelle to the west and the Dent Parrachée to the east, dominated by the Tête d'Aussois and Roche Chevrière to the north. To the south, the view opens onto the Dents d'Ambin and the Aiguille de Scolette on the Maurienne side. Below in the valley are two small reservoir lakes, the Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval. The valley is populated by Tarine cattle and goats, as well as wildlife such as chamois, marmots, and wolves. The refuge serves as a base for ascents of the Pointe de l'Observatoire, Pointe de l'Échelle, Dôme de l'Arpont, Pointe de Labby, and Aiguille Doran, and enables the crossing of the Vanoise between Aussois and Pralognan via the Col d'Aussois and the Refuge du Roc.

A living mountain cabin within the Refuges Vanoise network, offering an immersive alpine experience on the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise in summer and winter.

• Gardienned refuge accommodation

  52 places available during the gardienned period.

• Unguarded refuge accommodation

  20 places available when the refuge is not gardienned.

• Salle hors-sac

  A room equipped with various amenities for hikers to eat their own food.

1. 1Le tour des glaciers de la Vanoise - Refuges Vanoiserefuges-vanoise.com
2. 2Refuge du Fond d'Aussoisfr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Refuge du Fond d'Aussoiswikidata.org