Deffeyes Refuge, from La Joux

Access

From the motorway exit of Morgex, go up the main road to Pré-Saint-Didier and from there head towards La Thuile. When you get to the centre of La Thuile, turn left onto the tarmac road towards Villaret and La Joux. Park near the restaurant-bar of La Joux.

Introduction

The proposed itinerary is probably the most popular in the La Thuile valley: it climbs up near the main Rutor waterfalls, passes the bucolic Plan de la Lière and, with sweeping views of the Mont Blanc chain, climbs the grassy slope before the Deffeyes refuge. From the hut, the view opens up of the Rutor glacier, separated by the Vedettes du Rutor. The proposed descent itinerary requires some attention when descending some rocky stretches and the ability to follow, in places, markings made only with stone cairns.

Description

Before the car park of the restaurant-bar (1603m), on the left, the trail starts, markers (3) and ( 8 ), to be followed. Proceed for a short distance along the stream and cross over a bridge to the opposite bank. In the middle of the forest, climb up to the panoramic balcony on the first Rutor waterfall (1700m, 0h15'). Continue along twists and turns in the forest, passing a characteristic boulder and coming out at Parcet. Now proceed on a gentler ascent, passing by another waterfall and reaching a bucolic plateau near the stream, close to a bridge. Continue uphill on the path, which is paved in places, until the short diversions, to the right, to the second waterfall. Continue uphill and in a few minutes you will reach the next turnoff for the third waterfall, which can be reached in 3-4 minutes (1996m, 1h10'). When visiting this waterfall, pay particular attention to the very slippery ground because it is constantly splashed with water. Retrace your steps to the junction with the marker ( 8 ) for the Belle Combe valley. Take the left, climb for a few minutes and then descend to the enchanting Plan de la Lière, near the Lac du Glacier (2140m, 1h45'), with great views of the Mont Blanc chain. After crossing the outlet on the little bridge (dedicated to Sergeant Giulio Guedoz and built by the Aosta battalion in 1934), passing by the Alpage du Glacier, we climb the grassy slope in twists and turns and then slope to the right to the saddle at the Alpage du Rutor, which precedes the Deffeyes hut (2494m, 2h45'). In front of the hut is the magnificent panorama of the Rutor glacier. The descent can be made via the same route in about 2 hours. Alternatively, the return route along a wide semicircle is proposed (but requires greater attention). From the Deffeyes hut, continue in a south-westerly direction towards the characteristic chapel dedicated to San Grato and Santa Margherita. On reaching the little chapel, the path descends abruptly (pay attention to crossing a rocky strip) to the Rutor lake and Lac des Seracs. Follow the cairns to reach a marker post and follow the signs to the right to reach an almost flat valley. The track now passes above the gorge carved out by the Rutor stream, descends a few more rocky sections (be careful) and, after passing by a waterfall, descends to Plan de la Lière (2197m, 1h00'). A short descent leads near the bridge to the Belle Combe valley. Taking the right in about ten minutes, you cross the ascent route. After passing the three waterfalls, return to the La Joux car park (1603m, 2h15').

General information

Trail signposts: -
Type of route: a/r
Recommended period: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Objective hazard: none
Exposure to sunlight: south, south-west - discreetly shady forest path
Exposed sections: none
Useful equipment:normal daily hiking equipment
Water: no water points, carry it along

General information

Trail signposts: -
Type of route: a/r
Advised period: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Objective hazard: none
Sun exposure: south, south-west - discreetly shady forest path
Exposed sections: none
Useful equipment:normal daily hiking equipment
Water: no water points, carry water with you