Cave de la Petite Val (Abri très sommaire)

The place

A former 19th-century Beaufort cheese-aging cellar, at 2238 m in the Vanoise massif (Savoie), once used for the early aging of cheese wheels during the alpine grazing season. Renovated in the 2000s, it now holds a few remnants and a very basic shelter in decent condition. Access by heading up the Vallée des Avals: at the fork, continue straight ahead (the right-hand path leads to the Refuge du Grand Plan), pass a private chalet at La Grande Val, then the trail traces a large climbing loop toward the Chalets de la Petite Val. Unstaffed hut, open access.