Moderate
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 6.2 km / 3.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 877 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 36 min
- Mountain
Refuge Albert Ier
ModerateAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France
- Distance
- 5.3 km (3.3 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 550 m (1,804 ft)
- Estimated time
- 1 hr 56 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Refuge Albert Ier
Refuge Albert Ier is a 5.3 km hiking route in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. It climbs roughly 550 m (1,804 ft) along the way. Most people take around 1 hr 56 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Expect a steady effort with a few sustained climbs, well within reach if you walk regularly.
This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.
It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
Spring through autumn is the natural window, and shoulder season means fewer people on the narrow sections.
In short, Refuge Albert Ier suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Plan around this route’s details
- Start, finish and return
- The recorded 5.3 km line has different endpoints. Confirm travel from the finish before setting out; that return journey is additional to the mapped route.
- Climbing in context
- The recorded ascent averages approximately 103 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed. Recorded descent totals 550 m and also needs time in your plan.
- What needs a separate check
- This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.
Route map
Moderate5.3 km550 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Make it fit your day
Your walking-time scenario
Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.
Calculated walking time including your allowances
2 hr 45 min
80 min for distance + 55 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.
Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.
Recorded route measurements
The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.
Highlights
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Season field
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Recorded as waymarked
- Surface
- Not recorded
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not recorded
- Entrance fee
- Not recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Not recorded as available
- Toilets
- Not recorded as available
- Mobile coverage
- Not verified
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 52/100
- Adventure
- 39/100
- Difficulty
- 26/100
- Accessibility
- 58/100
- Family
- 32/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in France are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Prepare for this walk
All planning articles →Understanding the map
Download a GPX route and check it before leaving
Take a route into your navigation app, check the imported line and understand what a GPX download does and does not contain.
Read article →Planning your day
Loops, out-and-backs and point-to-point return plans
Work out what a route's shape means for distance, endpoints and getting back after the walk.
Read article →Sources and confidence
What open route data can tell you—and what to verify locally
Distinguish source records, calculated estimates and missing details before relying on a route page.
Read article →Trails near Refuge Albert Ier
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