Route details
Route description
Discover a site with an exceptional geological, floral and faunal richness. Up there await you a lunar landscape and a sumptuous panorama. The Platé Desert is the largest lapiaz in Europe.
From the car park located along the Plaine-Joux road (opposite the Residence Le Fontenay), cross and go up the track which starts at the Croix de Praz Coutant. Relatively easy at the start, the path becomes steeper towards the Charbonnière chalets. A footbridge allows you to cross the torrent before turning right, due north, towards the Platé refuge. This unique path zigzags through the forest then steepens and weaves its way through a system of ledges that provides access to the exit chimney. Take a short metal footbridge to emerge on the plateau and contemplate the chalets. Continue north to reach the refuge of Platé (2032 m).
Return by the same route.
Age-old formations, the lapiaz of Platé inspire respect for the forces at work since geological time. Stay on the trails and do not pick plants in these delicate environments.
Return by the same route.
Age-old formations, the lapiaz of Platé inspire respect for the forces at work since geological time. Stay on the trails and do not pick plants in these delicate environments.
Topo / step by step
1) From the car park located along the Plaine-Joux road (opposite the Résidence Le Fontenay) – 2) Go towards Croix de Praz Coutant – 3) Direction the Charbonnière chalets – 4) Direction the Platé refuge – 5) Take a short metal footbridge – 6) Continue north to reach the Platé refuge (2032 m).