Col de Vallonpierrre via Isora

Starting point: Auberts car park at the bottom of the Champoléon valley. Limited number of spaces.

An early start allows you to stay in the shade for most of the climb. It is an almost non-stop climb with steep gradients.

(S/E) Follow the GR® towards the Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette for a few hundred metres until you reach a fork.

(1) Signpost indicating "Vallon d'Isola, Col de Vallonpierre 4h". Turn left and get ready for a good climb. You will come to a fork (the original path has been diverted due to rockfalls).

(2) Go up to the right. There are a few sections with handrails (not for those who are afraid of heights). The arrival at Vallon Plat in the mountain pastures, just before the final climb, is magnificent.

(3) Go up to the right and join the GR®54, which is much busier.

(4) Follow it to the left.

(5) Cross the Torrent de Vallon Plat and reach the Col de Vallonpierre.
There's nothing stopping you from climbing to the summit if the weather conditions are good and your legs are still strong! Save some energy for the descent, which is not easy due to the steep gradients and loose footing.

(6) Turn around.

(5) Descend along the Torrent de Vallon Plat, then turn south-east and return to the fork you passed on the way up.

(3) Continue straight ahead along the same path you took on the way up and return to the car park (S/E).

Parking is fairly limited. There is no water along the route.

You can climb up to the Col de Vallonpierre via the Pré de la Chaumette by taking the GR® 54, but this is much longer.