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Park in the car park on the D128 just before the cross-country ski centre.
(S/E) Walk to the car park to access the start of the snowshoe trails.
Look for the signs pointing to "Creusates" and follow this direction, marked with yellow and red markings and numerous signs along the way.
Up to Les Creusates, the path alternates between woodland and paths running parallel to the cross-country ski trails.
At Les Creusates, you will come out onto a vast plateau. Head slightly to the right towards the chalets overlooking the area.
(1) Near a chalet, look for a sign pointing towards Croix des Bergers. Follow this direction for 150 metres until you reach the next sign for "Les cascades 1320m".
(2) Here, leave the direction of Croix des Bergers and head towards "Refuge de la Plate par Fontaine Froide".
The path gradually descends towards the Otalets stream, passing three buildings, including a barn in poor condition. Cross the stream.
(3) As you begin the climb, turn left into the coniferous undergrowth.
The path climbs up the hillside diagonally.
(4) At the signpost for "Otalets", follow Creux de Lachat.
As you climb and follow a few bends, the path joins the "yellow-red" marked trail of the Tour des Bauges.
(5) To the right, it leads to the Refuge de la Plate, to the left to the Creux de Lachat refuge, which is the direction we will follow.
Stay on this ascending track as you pass a fence.
(6) Turn sharply left, following the aforementioned markings, and climb up the ridge.
The chalet will appear in the distance. Continue along the path until you reach a place called La Source (1,400 m).
(7) Directional sign: theGRP® continues to Col de la Cochette and the Creux de Lachat refuge. Leave it here.
Now climb the hillock at 1438m, which is a clear high point. The Pernet chalet is slightly below.
To return, descend into the valley towards the edge of the Prépoulain woods.
(8) You will come to a wide path which is a Nordic route in winter. Follow it to the left and it will pass in front of a group of three chalets called Chalet Reguéras.
(9) Turn right to rejoin theGRP® mentioned above; this completes the first circular.
(5) Take theGRP® on the left and descend to the Plate refuge
(10) Near the refuge, take the route marked Foyer de ski de fond, which is still marked in yellow and red.
Follow these markings and the directional signs to reach Pierre Blanche
(11) Follow a cross-country ski trail to reach Les Creusates. Second circular loop completed.
(1) Now retrace your steps along the same route you took on the way there. The car park (S/E) is 35 minutes away.
Do this hike twice—the views of the surrounding peaks are magnificent. On the first circular, at point 3, I couldn't find the path to point 4 because the grass was too high to see or guess where it was. I returned to point 11 to do the second circular. The rest was perfect and nothing to comment on.
Visorando member
Easy 
Association / Club / Walk leader
