The Chardonnet and Aiguillette passes from Fontcouverte

Start from the car park at the Argentière campsite in Fontcouverte.

(S) Enter the campsite, walk for about 50 metres and turn left into the woods onto the^GR®57alternative route (marked in red and white). On the left are the Fontcouverte waterfalls. The path starts with a fairly steep climb right from the start, through the woods and then out into the open, passing the Laraux chalets.

(1) Turn right in front of the last chalet. Further on, cross a footbridge before reaching the Refuge du Chardonnet.

(2) From the refuge, the path winds round a ridge to the left. Leave the path leading to the Col de Roche Noire on your left and cross the footbridge to reach the (small) Lac du Châtelard after a short climb.

(3) The climb then becomes gentle until you reach the Chardonnet marshy area.

(4) Join a path coming from the right and continue. The path becomes steeper again, leading to another rocky outcrop on a flat area frequented by herds.

(5) Passing the solar-powered rangefinder signals the final climb, which leads to the Lacs de la Mine (6) (the smaller one was dry) and then to the Col du Chardonnet Sud.

(7) From there, head slightly northwards along the ridge to enjoy the view of the Tête de la Cassille (due north), the Pic de la Moulinière, which hides the Pointe des Cerces, the Grand Galibier, the Tête de Colombe, the Aiguillette du Lauzet, the Meije, the Barre des Ecrins, the Pic de Chamoissière and the glaciers (Noir, Blanc, d’Arsine…), and below, the Alpe du Lauzet and the Guisane valley.

Return to the pass, then head down to the right via the^GR®57until you reach the largest of the hairpin bends, where you will see, opposite you at the bend, two earthy sections and a green, level patch.

(8) Leave the path here and head straight on (south) towards the earthen patches dotted with animal tracks to reach the grassy clearing (15 mins). From there, rejoin the path which climbs very steeply up to the Col de l’Aiguillette.

(9) Turn right onto the well-marked path along the hillside: passing through a few scree slopes, this narrow path follows the contour lines almost exactly up to the flat area just before the Peryou. Just before this, on your right, the path climbs up to the summit of the Aiguillette du Lauzet.

(10) Return via the same narrow path to reach the Col de l’Aiguillette.

(9) Turn right onto a series of intertwining paths, heading for the ridge almost due east.
After a steep initial climb, join a better-marked but very steep path on the left, which leads to the top of the ridge (a small gap).

(11) From here, the view is almost 360° and opens out onto the Thabor massif and the peaks along the Italian border. It is common to see vultures flying past at this spot, using the thermals to gain altitude. To rejoin the path taken on the way up, follow the ridge northwards, descending towards the Col du Chardonnet Sud, and cut across off-trail at a small scree slope, almost level with the eastern flank, to reach the^GR®57. Descend via the same route as on the way up until you reach the marshy area.

(4) Take the path on the left to descend alongside the Chardonnet stream to the Queyrellin chalets.

(12) Finally, follow a forest track back to your starting point (S/E).

No water.
The hut shown on the IGN map below the Col de l’Aiguillette appears to have disappeared
Please note: in summer, access to the Clarée Valley is closed from Névache between 10.00 and 19.00 for motor vehicles (9.00 for campervans); a shuttle bus runs from Névache and stops at the campsite.
If the car parks are full, the closure may be brought forward.

At the Col du Chardonnet and along the ridge: vultures
Below the Col de l’Aiguillette: marmots
Cotton grass in the marshy area