Pierre a Berard Refuge and Col de Salenton

Traveling up the Berard Valley

This hike ascends the Berard Valley (Vallon de Berard), a lovely, peaceful vale unspoiled by ski apparatus, to the charming Refuge Pierre a Berard. Beyond the refuge a very steep route climbs up granite outcroppings, boulders and scree to the Col De Salenton.
See Trail Detail/Full Description

• Distance: 6.6 miles (round trip) to Refuge Berard
  9.4 miles (round trip) to Col Salenton
  
• Elevation: 4,300-ft. at Trailhead
  6,312-ft. at Refuge Berard
  8,287-ft. at Col Salenton
  
• Elevation Gain: 1,990-ft. to Refuge Berard
  3,987-ft. to Col Salenton
  
• Difficulty: moderate-strenuous
• More Hikes in:
  Chamonix / French Alps

Why Hike Pierre a Berard Refuge and Col de Salenton

The Bernard Valley is delightfully devoid of lifts, cables or pistes, a wonderful exception in the Chamonix area where skiing rules the day. The valley, part of a nature reserve, offers opportunities for seeing wildlife and visiting a pristine part of the Chamonix valley.

Access to the valley is along a good trail traveling through larch forests and peaceful meadows beside a cascading stream. Along the way a trail passes a dramatic waterfall thundering down a rocky gorge.

Beyond the Refuge an extremely steep and rugged trail climbs to the Col de Salenton. The ascent, marked by carins and paint marks on rocks, climbs over granite slabs and scree slopes gaining almost 2,000-ft. in 1.4 miles from the refuge. Large snowfields are often present on of the upper slopes well into the summer. Check on current conditions at the Refuge and carry proper equipment if snow is present.

Elevation Profile

Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:

Region Information:
French Alps

Other Hiking Regions in:
France