Located in the heart of the Ecrins National Park, the village of St Christophe en Oisans has a remarkable natural heritage. Each valley is original and offers magnificent views of the mythical summits such as La Meije, Les Écrins or La Dibona.
There are many recreational activities available to you:
In summer: hiking, glacier hiking, mountaineering, via ferrata, whitewater rafting, fishing, museum visits, wellness sessions (massages), or simply taking in the scenery...
In winter: ice climbing, ski touring, and, from Les 2 Alpes or La Grave, off-piste skiing for experienced skiers.

During the summer, we welcome you 5 minutes past the last stop of the "Combe de Pierre Noire" shuttle.
Our vacation advisors will be on hand to provide information on hiking trailheads, shuttle schedules, activities, and more...

In the event of a weather alert (thunderstorms, etc.), the shuttles will not be running, and our summer information desk will be temporarily closed. In that case, please visit our vacation advisors in St. Christophe.

The refuge is set on a magnificent belvedere, so you'll enjoy a gentle hike through unspoilt countryside.
Around the refuge you'll find many activities such as hiking (tour du grand Cond, lac de la Mariande, lac du Salude, col de la Mariande...),
mountaineering (tête de Lauranoure, col de la haute pisse...) and climbing (2 big routes in the pierroux, 3 routes around the Froide Pisse waterfall).

Built in 1947, the refuge has retained the modesty of its origins over the decades, while reasonably adapting its comfort to today's requirements.
In 2019, installation of a solar cooker

Here, everything is homemade with local and seasonal products, some of which are organic. Oisans honey from Ecrin de Miel, Goodwin beers from Bourg-d'Oisans, meat and charcuterie from Ferme du Rochail, cheeses from Villard-Reculas and Ornon, flour from Trieves, eggs from Nord-Isere... Enjoy croziflette, donkey ears, blueberry tart and chocolate fondant.
Various snacks available at all times. Half-board and picnics available.
If you're planning to eat in a refuge, or even ask for a picnic, it's best to make a reservation in advance. The refuges have limited stocks, and in any case they are sized according to their capacity... While bivouacs are tolerated in the vicinity of the refuges (check with the wardens), campers are not counted in the stocks. Remember to call the wardens to book your meal if you wish to take advantage of the comfort of this service.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION :
Departure: Les Granges
Difference in altitude: 535m
Distance: 2.8 km
Time : 1h45

ITINERARY:
- From the hamlet of Les Granges, below Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, descend to the Vénéon torrent. Then take the path that twists and turns at the foot of the Pisse waterfall to the Alpe du Pin flat, then to the Refuge (1h30 from Les Granges).

MAPS AND TOPO
OBP map n°5 (on sale at the tourist office): trail n°528
IGN Top 25 map n°3336 ET


THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
Froide Pisse waterfall

THINGS TO KNOW
The wardens offer very tasty snacks and can give you information on these routes from the Refuge.

With its bold architecture, perched at the bottom of the Selle valley, this warm and welcoming place welcomes mountaineers, climbers and hikers approaching the glacier.
The refuge is also guarded in spring for ski mountaineering.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Start: Parking des Prés (1475 m)
Difference in altitude: 1,173 m
Round trip time: 4h one way, 3h return
Distance: 8.2 km

The refuge is located at the end of the Vallon du Diable, an absolutely grandiose mineral site. Since 1878, once you're up there, it's time to relax: aperitifs in the setting sun, card games with your companions for the evening and good food. Ideal for preparing for the next day's race!

SPRING
ski touring

SUMMER
All-day dining. Home-made desserts.
Things to do from the refuge: mountaineering, climbing, hiking.
Reservations strongly advised

In summer, you may come across herds of cattle grazing in alpine pastures, so avoid them wherever possible.

WINTER
Off-piste from La Grave and Les Deux Alpes
Ice cascades in the valley
The old refuge is used as a "winter refuge" outside the guarding season: 12 places with woollen blankets, some crockery, no water, no gas, no heating, no electricity and no toilet.

Please leave this area clean, take your garbage downstairs, and close the windows and doors! If you have any problems, please call the janitor on 06.03.49.39.98!

At the end of your ascent to the refuge, you can relax on the sunny terrace, sipping a juice or a draught beer and enjoying the exceptional view over the Étages valley.
From the refuge, you can then access numerous climbing routes.

Le Soreiller has a capacity of 70 places divided into different dormitories.
In winter, the refuge has 20 places.

In summer, you'll come across herds of cattle in the mountain pastures, so avoid them wherever possible.

Located at the foot of La Meije and Les Ecrins, the Chalet Alpin de La Bérarde mountain lodge is set among one of the largest Alpine massifs, in the heart of the Ecrins National Park.
Many generations of mountaineers have visited the village of La Bérarde in the wake of Pierre Gaspard who made the first ascent of La Meije. This comfortable and cosy chalet is an integral part of this unique village. You can leave your car behind and indulge yourself in walking, climbing, skiing or just relaxing.

Period of opening : From 25/03 to 22/05, daily.

From 03/06 to 11/09, daily.

Dates to be confirmed. Canceled or closed.

Prices : From 25/03 to 22/05/2022 (High season)
Night: 19 €
Child rate per night : 15.20 €
CAF member rate per night: 7.60 to 13.30 €
Half board (pp): 43.70 to 47.50 €
Group rate per night: 9.50 to 15.20 €
Picnic to take away: 11 €
Tourist taxes: 0.80 €.

From 03/06 to 11/09/2022 (High season)
Night: 19 €
Child rate per night : 15.20 €
CAF member rate per night: 7.60 to 13.30 €
Half board (pp): 43.70 to 47.50 €
Group rate per night: 9.50 to 15.20 €
Picnic to take away: 11 €
Tourist taxes: 0.80 €.

Free entry for children < 3 years.
Child entry valid for 4 - 17 years.
Group rate available for > 9 people.

For information on tariff, discounts and bookings, please visit http://chaletlaberarde.ffcam.fr/tarifs.html

Spring season: 2€ additional heating per night.

Tax not included.

Good plans : Ideal base camp for climbing the big races of the Ecrins.
Access : Depending on snow conditions, the road may be closed to traffic in the winter between Champhorent and La Bérarde, and as a consequence, the hamlets of Les Etages and La Bérarde may not be accessible by car. The road opens towards the end of March when the Chalet de la Bérarde reopens for the ski-mountaineering season.

Located in the heart of Saint-Christophe, just a stone’s throw from the poignant cemetery where the famous mountain guides of La Bérarde and Le Vénéon are buried, the museum is for all mountain lovers.
In this village perched high in the mountains—and, for some, a bit out of the way—the museum
delves into the heart of high-mountain culture. Deep in the mountains, 400 square meters of exhibition space bring to life the history of mountaineering and the thrills of this sport—synonymous with adventure, dedication, passion, and freedom.
Discover this high-altitude world through the adventures of pioneering mountaineers and the first guides, including Gaspard, conqueror of La Meije.

Explore the exhibition “Alpine Refuges: From Makeshift Shelters to High-Altitude Tourism,” which traces the evolution of mountain refuges.

The exhibition “Alpine Refuges: From Makeshift Shelters to High-Altitude Tourism” traces the history and evolution of mountain refuges, from their humble beginnings as temporary shelters to their current role in high-altitude tourism. It highlights human ingenuity in the face of high-mountain challenges and the importance of these structures for mountaineers and hikers.

LABEL: The museum is a member of the Route des Savoir-Faire de l’Oisans.