Les Prés refuge : Snowshoeing and ski touring in Les Contamines Monjoie
Les Contamines-Montjoie
Les Prés refuge : Snowshoeing and ski touring in Les Contamines Monjoie
Very hard
Difficulty5h
Duration10,8km
Distance+754m
Positive Elevation-752m
Negative ElevationCourse type
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A beautiful trail at the gateway to the Beaufortain region where you can learn about various hardships that affect wildlife in winter.
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Credit: Points d'intérêts du parcours - Asters-CEN74
4 points of interest
@LionelRoux 
FaunaThe Stoat, a mountain chameleon
White in winter and with brown backs and beige bellies in summer, stoats have black tail tips all year round. Often confused with the common weasel, the stoat differs in size. It is larger (17 to 33 cm) and has a two-coloured tail. A carnivore, its favourite prey are voles. Stoats are vivacious and playful. The Stoat often moves in leaps of up to 50 centimetres in height, covering great distances for its size of up to 15 km.
@GeoffreyGarcel 
Les Pres Refuge
The new Les Prés Refuge was built at an altitude of 1935m at the foot of the Aiguille de la Cicle (2552m), ideally situated in the heart of the nature reserve and right next to the hiking trails. This former mountain pasture farmhouse was restored in 2020 at the initiative of the Compagnie des Guides de Saint-Gervais-Contamines. This refuge is one of the few to be manned for more than 7 months of the year, including winter.
Parade de Tétras-lyre - Geoffrey Garcel - CEN 74 FaunaBlack Grouse winter survivorship
Animals are in survival mode during the winter. Disturbing them because of our actions (skiing, snowshoeing) weakens them, jeopardises their reproductive capacity and makes them vulnerable to disease. Fleeing can cost them their lives by draining all their energy. To protect themselves from the cold and predators, black grouse will take refuge in a hole under the snow called an "iglo" near the edge of a forest or in lightly wooded areas. For its protection, we should respect its designated wintering areas!
@CarolineKoelhy FaunaWhat is an overwintering den?
Wildlife is most vulnerable during winter. At this time of year, the cold and lack of food forces animals to conserve their energy and shelter in dens for overwintering. As animals flee from constant disturbance, they expend a great deal of energy that can negatively affect their chances of survival. Let's help animals get through the winter by giving them some space: - Choose non-wooded areas for your hikes - Don't tread new trails (don’t step off the existing trails) - Avoid quiet areas
Description
From the Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park: after the footbridge, take the main path, the Roman road, towards the "Roman bridge" with the stream on your right. Walk up this path; be careful, it is often icy! Anti-slip shoes can be useful. Continue along the Tour du Mont-Blanc GR until you reach the Rollaz plateau with its spectacular views of the Col de la Fenêtre, Col de la Cicle and Col des Chasseurs. Turn right into the Rollaz forest and after the Chalets des Prés you'll reach the Prés Refuge. To descend, go past the Balme Refuge avoiding going to the signposted Wildlife Reserve.
- Departure : Notre-Dame de la Gorge parking area, Les Contamines Montjoie
- Arrival : Notre-Dame de la Gorge parking area, Les Contamines Montjoie
- Towns crossed : Les Contamines-Montjoie
Altimetric profile
Sensitive areas
Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.
- Impacted practices:
- Aerial, , Land, Vertical
- Contact:
- Asters - Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Haute-Savoie
contact@cen-haute-savoie.org
Black grouse - winter
- Impacted practices:
- , Land
- Sensitivity periods:
- JanFebMarAprDec
- Contact:
Black grouse - winter
- Impacted practices:
- , Land
- Sensitivity periods:
- JanFebMarAprDec
- Contact:
Recommandations
Warning: The conditions of the trails are subject to change, remember to inquire before leaving!! Always be careful and plan ahead when hiking. Asters, CEN 74 can not be held responsible for the occurrence of any accident or incident on this itinerary!!! Access to the trail is subject to weather conditions.
Information desks
18 Route de Notre Dame de la Gorge, 74170 Les Contamines-Montjoie
Transport
Free bus shuttles, departure from the village centre; Bus shuttles timetables https://www.lescontamines.com/hiver/pratique/acces-et-se-deplacer/navettes
Access and parking
Go to Les Contamines-Montjoie (74170). Drive through the Contamines-Montjoie village and stay on the Route de Notre-Dame de la Gorge (D902) for 2 kilometres until the end of the road. The Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park will be on your left.
Parking :
Notre-Dame de la Gorge parking area, les Contamines Montjoie
More information
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: