Refuge des Clots – Hiking from Les Aymes (Mizoën)

This charming mountain refuge at 1515 m altitude is a stopover on the Tour des Écrins, GR50-54C, and the starting point for hikes on the Emparis plateau, with a splendid view of the Meije.
You're bound to notice the waterfalls overlooking the refuge, rising from a petrifying fountain of tufa concretions. The site is protected by a biotope protection decree. Stay on the path to avoid damaging this unique Oisans phenomenon.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure point: Parking des Aymes (Mizoën)
Difference in altitude: 270 m
Round trip time: 2 h
Return distance: 7 km
Difficulty level: moderate, no physical difficulties but some aerial passages.

MAP AND TOPO
OBP map no. 3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail no. 343 - GR50
IGN TOP 25 3335 ET - Bourg d'Oisans, Alpe d'Huez

ITINERARY
At Mizoën, in the Ferrand valley, drive through the village and turn right onto the small road towards "Les Aymes" to the small parking lot at the end of the road.
The itinerary begins with a balcony path that crosses the schist slopes above the Chambon dam. This is a walk where it's best to keep a firm grip on the hands of the little ones, as the path is "airy".
After a very arid passage, the arrival at the Lovitel oasis stands out. A themed trail loops around this wetland and rejoins the refuge. Follow the signposted route, which is dotted with interpretation panels on the landscape, geology and biological life of the small Lovitel lake, with an orientation table at the end. The refuge is just a little further on.
Here, a visit to the eco-museum completes your visit to the discovery trail, which traces the traditional activities of this once-inhabited hamlet.
The descent is via the same path.

THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
- Panorama over Lac du Chambon
- Lac du lovitel discovery trail
- Orientation table
- Ecomuseum
- Refuge des Clots

THINGS TO SEE / DO NEARBY
- Resurgence of the Fontaine Pétrifiante waterfall, continue on the path above the refuge to reach it in 20 minutes. View of the waterfall all the way.
- Hikes from the refuge: Tour du Haut-Dauphiné GR 50, loop to the Plateau d'Emparis and back to Les Aymes, Lac Noir and Lac Lérié on the Plateau d'Emparis. Possibility of joining the GR 54 Tour de l'Oisans et des Écrins.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
As well as being one of the few high-altitude wetlands on the Haute Romanche, Lac Lovitel is unique in that it partially dries out in summer, transforming itself into a marsh. This makes it ideal for the development of amphibians, which benefit from the absence of fish, their predators. The ecological quality of the environment is remarkable. Several species with high heritage value are present on the site, notably the common ophioglossa and the common pigamon, both of which are protected at regional level.