Cirque du Gargot

Head to the village of Granier, then follow the D218 to the car park of the old Chavonne ski lift, which has now been dismantled.

(S/E) Head north on the road that climbs to the left.

(1) Take the first path on the left, which turns into a trail after the Traye Brunet house. This trail crosses the road once before rejoining it further up.

(2) Turn right and stay on this road until you reach the hamlet of Verraret.

(3) At the bend, follow the path that branches off to the left and leads to the hamlet.

(4) Go straight ahead to climb the old Chavonne ski slope and reach the hamlet of Thiabord.

(5) At the fourth chalet (altitude 1,950 m), turn right onto the Refuge de la Coire path, which leads into the forest. Follow it until you reach the cirque overlooked by Pointe de Combe Bénite.

(6) Walk around the cirque in a circular fashion as you wish.

(7) Descend following the bed of the Torrent du Gargot to an altitude of 1,850 m.

(8) Turn south, following the contour line until you reach the hamlet of Verraret.

(4) Turn left into the meadow to rejoin the ascent route.

(3) Follow the road downhill until you reach the start of the path you took on the way up.

(2) For a bit of variety, stay on the road, negotiate the hairpin bend to the left and then follow the uphill route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Water source in the hamlet of Verraret (4).

Chamois are present in the cirque.