Tour of Planlebon in the Encombres Valley
""I remember one cool early morning when my steps took me to Planlebon. Just before crossing the Encombres torrent over the footbridge, the robin came to greet me. It was at the foot of the chapel that I decided to rest, taking my time to immerse myself in the setting and imagine how life here used to be in this small isolated mountain hamlet. Céline Rutten, Vanoise National Park Ranger
"
The hamlet of Planlebon

The Vallée des Encombres
The hamlets of Priots and Gittamelon have also been restored. By contrast, they were only ever summer habitations used for a pit stop on the path of Encombres which at that time was an important route linking Maurienne to Moûtiers. At the time, all journeys were made on foot with mules carrying the loads. Imagine this valley covered by peddlers and merchants who came to buy the Belleville cheeses, pilgrims on their way to Notre Dame de la Vie, or farmers leading their flocks to the famous Saint-Martin fair?

The chamois

Gittamelon
Sheep, goats and cows... Herdsmen, cheese makers, refuge keepers, ... the Encombres valley is definitely always lively! Follow the herds by the sound of their cowbells, these bells of varying size hang around the animal’s neck and make them easier to find. The Refuge de Gittamelon welcomes hikers for short coffee breaks, a meal or an overnight stay. These are the Aiguilles de la Mœndaz (2,697m) which will wish you good night.

Black Bee Conservatory

The Conservatoire de l'Abeille Noire (Blackbee Conservatory)
The black bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) is a subspecies of the honeybee. Savoy’s ecotype, adapted to the climate and local flora, is used by the valley’s bee-keepers. The creation in April 2016 of a black bee Conservatory in the Encombres valley has led to the establishment of mating apiaries. These apiaries allow young queens to be fertilised only by males of this ecotype. These mating apiaries, small beehives, can be seen where the trail leaves the road of Encombres descending towards Les Priots. The power line which passes right above dœs not disturb them. The transmission of electricity from Albertville (Bathie) to Italy has been carried out since 1971.

The globeflower fly
Every spring, the cycle begins again: the meadow is adorned with the most beautiful flowers! On the bright corollas, insects are busy: butterflies, flies and bees fervently gather pollen. But on the splendid golden globeflower, jealously closed in on themselves, the contenders are rare. Only flies of the Chiastocheta genus can be creep into the globes to collect nectar and at the same time load themselves with pollen. But, hidden from view, the fly also lays its eggs in the flowers’ ovules, so that the larvae, as they develop, devour the budding seeds. Fortunately, the few sparse seeds will give other globes.
Description
From the car park, take the slightly uphill grassy path. This path becomes narrower and enters the undergrowth. Leave the trail on the left and go down into the forest. The path winds steeply to a footbridge. Cross this footbridge and go up on the other slope of the gorges as far as the village of Planlebon. At the top left of the village, follow the trail that runs along the slope. After crossing two streams and a steeper section, walk through the undergrowth. The valley then widens and you go down to the Pont des Priots. Continue along the left bank of the torrent until you reach another bridge, cross it and climb the bends to reach “Route des Encombres”. Follow the road until Refuge de Gittamelon. From the Refuge, take the path leading to Rocher Roux. Then go down, cross the vehicle track and turn off the path that leads to Priots and ends at a stony track. After the last house, turn left onto the grassy path that runs along the valley. At the fork in the path, choose the descending path. Leave this path at the next turn to take a right onto the undergrowth trail. This then joins the departure path and car park.
- Departure : Frachettes car park
- Arrival : Frachettes car park
- Towns crossed : LES BELLEVILLE
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Be particularly careful on the trail overlooking the torrent after passing the village of Planlebon.
It is possible to shorten the hike by taking the Pont des Priots (1,535m in altitude) to reach the village of the same name and finally the departure car park.
Transport
Rail connection to Moûtiers, Information: www.voyages-sncf.com.Then transport by coach to Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, information www.transavoie.com . Free shuttle buses between Val Thorens and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, information:: Transdev Savoie. Departure for the hike approximately 3 km from the village centre.
"Access and parking
From Moutiers take the D117 in the direction of the “Vallée des Belleville”. Pass Saint-Jean-de-Belleville and continue until the administrative centre of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. At the entrance to the administrative centre, take the small road on the right leading to Châtelard. At the entrance to the hamlet of Châtelard, turn left in the direction of the ""Vallée des Emcombres"" and follow this road to the signpost for Frachettes car park. Park on the right below.
"Parking :
Accessibility
No special amenities
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