Country:
District:
Park in the car park at the Refuge de l'Orgère.
(S/E) Go to the far end of the car park and follow the track to the end.
(1) Take the path on the right, cross the Masse stream and turn left to climb a series of tight hairpin bends. You enter the Vanoise National Park at the nature trail leading to the Refuge de l'Orgère. Continue climbing between the Aiguille de Doran and the Râteau d'Aussois. It is not uncommon to spot ibex.
(2) Halfway up the climb, a flat section provides a chance to catch your breath. The path then climbs through a grassy area amongst boulders before opening out onto a small plateau from where you can see the summit; do not attempt to head straight for it, but follow the path due north and then east to reach the Col de la Masse.
(3) From the summit, you can see the Ecrins massif, Mont Thabor, the Vanoise and, in particular, the Dent Parrachée. The Rateau d’Aussois, which can be climbed, lies due south.
The descent route is not easy to find, as there are no markings. Head south-west for 200m, then begin the descent towards the north-east. Although unmarked, the path becomes easier to follow from there. You descend until you reach theGR®5on the Plateau du Mauvais Berger.
Simply follow theGR® towards the Col du Barbier.
(4). You can admire the Aussois lakes along the way. The crossing of the Col du Barbier takes you through mountain pastures where there are beautiful chalets with views of the Maurienne, followed by a descent at the end of the pasture through the forest before reaching the Refuge de l’Orgère (S/E)
Visorando member
Moderate 
Tourism professional
Very difficult 
