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Early September often sees the most settled weather, although the effects of climate change now make predictions unreliable. September will certainly have fewer visitors and there will be long periods without any other trekkers in view. Refuges and gîtes should be much quieter, except at weekends, and a few late varieties of alpine flowers will brighten the meadows.

The Vallée du Valgaudemar lies 1500m below the Col de la Vaurze (Stage 7)

In some years an Indian summer spreads into October to bring crisp frosty nights and sharp blue-sky days. Although difficult to predict in advance, this could be a magical time to make the trek round the Oisans. However, accommodation would be a problem, for some of the valley hotels would have closed and refuge gardiens will have deserted the high places, leaving only a winter room open for visitors who would need to provide all their own food. On the other hand, most gîtes d'étape remain open for most, if not all, the year.

To summarise: the safest time (weather and accommodation-wise) to tackle the Tour of the Oisans is from mid-July to the middle of September.