Country:
District:
Access is via Hauteluce, then follow the signs for "domaine skiable" (ski area). There is ample parking. The hike starts at the departure station of the Ruelle cable car, or at the "Belleville" sign, depending on where you park.
(S/E) Start the climb on the left of the Télécabine de la Ruelle cable car, and you will soon reach the road.
(1) Leave the road via the path on the left and wind your way to the left of the lift.
(2) Finally, cross the road and join a track that climbs eastwards.
(3) When you reach the hamlet, descend briefly to a stream.
(4) Next, you can choose to continue the hike in either direction, depending on the strength of the sun and recent weather conditions:
either to the right, a more shaded but potentially muddy path.
or left (recommended option), a long, somewhat monotonous and shady trail leads to the dam.
(5) The Chalet du Berger is an uninteresting concrete building, so there is no need to make a detour.
Head instead towards the memorial commemorating the region's resistance movements. It provides welcome shade for a picnic. Continue along the track leading to the dam until you reach the downstream end of the structure.
(6) The descent path is opposite pier 9 of the dam. Follow the path until you reach the stream you passed on the way there.
(4) Continue straight ahead, retracing your steps until you reach the cable car line you passed on the way there.
(2) Take the descent on the left, along the ski slope, until you reach the initial fork you passed on the way up.
(1) Continue straight ahead, retracing your steps to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
