Le Fay and Les Mouterres Mountain Huts - Hike from Singuigneret (Mizoën)

Le Plateau itself is a little piece of heaven, with a wide variety of alpine flowers during June and July, numerous colonies of marmots near the refuge.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Starting point: Singuigneret hamlet
Elevation gain: 1,017 m
Duration: 4 hours 50 minutes (ascent) 4 hours 5 minutes (descent)
Distance: 15.75 km
Difficulty: moderate

MAPS AND TRAIL GUIDE
OBP Map No. 5 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): Trail No. 343 (starting from Les Aymes) or Trail No. 344 (starting from Singuigneret).
IGN Top 25 Map No. 3335 ET

ROUTES
To reach the Fay and Mouterres mountain huts from Mizoen, here are two options:

• Starting from the hamlet of Les Aymes (1,279 m) (OBP No. 343), follow the trail running along the ridge above Lake Chambon. You’ll reach the Emparis Plateau after passing through the Lovitel Reserve (a peat bog area), the Clôts Mountain Hut (1,540 m), and then the “petrifying fountain” just above 1,800 m. The latter is a waterfall with a curious hydrogeological phenomenon: water from the Emparis Plateau emerges as a spring and flows over a very smooth limestone surface. The trail emerges onto the Emparis Plateau at Clot du Pertuis (2,178 m) and winds its way up to the mountain huts (2,250 m).
• Starting from the hamlet of Singuigneret (1,358 m) (OBP No. 344): the trail climbs more directly toward the plateau, crossing the trail several times. It reaches the former Chatons mountain hut (1,798 m). Continue to the intersection at Loutre de Quoa (2,287 m); from there, the trail leads to the mountain huts (2,250 m). Note: From the Loutre de Quoa, you can complete a loop by heading to Besse (OBP No. 358).

HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE ROUTE

• From Les Aymes: the panoramic view above Lake Chambon, the Lake Lovitel nature trail (wetland), the orientation table, the small Clots mountain hut and its eco-museum, and the petrifying fountains.
• From Singuigneret: a walk through the slate quarries and the Alpe valley.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The trail leading to the Clots mountain hut is a bit exposed; be sure to hold children’s hands tightly.
From the mountain huts, you can continue exploring the plateau either toward Lakes Noir and Lérié, or toward the Col St-Georges.