Chalet de Cotagne

The place

Planned sleeping places: 6 Places on mattresses: 4 A sheet-metal hut brought in by helicopter in the 1980s, which since then seems to have withstood the passing of time rather well. It's not very big from the outside, but it's very well laid out! The shelter has 2 small rooms: the first, the entrance, has a table, 2 benches, a stove, and various kitchen utensils. The second serves as the sleeping area: it is equipped on one side with bunk beds with mattresses and blankets (so room for 4 people), and on the other side, with 2 single bunks with mattresses, folded up against the wall (like the couchettes on SNCF night trains). It is therefore possible to sleep 6, but that's the maximum. Water right next to the hut, the spring seems to flow regularly except perhaps at the height of summer according to the logbook. The shelter is clean, maintained, and was once inhabited long ago by a local man who used to keep a vegetable garden here (it is now abandoned). Beautiful open view over the Aravis, a lovely peaceful spot. Small wood store. A shelter very regularly visited by locals who love the area, as confirmed by the guestbook, well-stocked and well-filled at any time of year, despite access conditions that aren't always easy WARNING (late 2024): It is strongly advised not to use the stove, as it is cracked. It would fill the hut with smoke: never sleep with the stove lit. Park at the entrance to the hamlet of Paradis (Thônes). Cross this hamlet, pass behind the gîte des Mésanges and behind the equestrian gîte to arrive at the foot of the Montagne de Cotagne. Take the path that climbs through the forest via steep switchbacks. The trail is quite steep and even requires, for a while, the help of a handrail for safety (chain in place over 150m of elevation gain). The trail joins the ridge of the mountain. Follow it to the refuge de Cotagne, which, contrary to what one might think, is not the end of the path. Follow the waymarking "24 Chemin du Torchon" and "25 Abri de Cotagne". Furthermore, even though it is only lightly waymarked, it is also possible to make the link to Rosairy from Cotagne, staying more or less along the ridgeline, on a barely marked path that is sometimes lost (the path has largely disappeared, not necessarily easy to find or follow). Somewhat easier access to the Cabane de Cotagne via Chamossière, but the route can be cut off by avalanche gullies in winter. Follow the partly concreted track "chemin rural des couves", which you leave at the last switchback before the "Plambois" property. -