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(S) From the Trébentaz Refuge, head southwest. Make a slightly ascending traverse, gradually moving from south to southeast. After crossing the Ruisseau des Mattes, turn right and, facing the slope, aim for a small pass on the western ridge of Pointe des Mattes. Reach the small pass via a few switchbacks.
(1) Descend diagonally (south-east) on the other side. Join the main GR®5 route at a crossroads.
(2) Descend to the right on the GR®5. Leave the Chalet des Mattes on your left, turn right (west) and stay at almost the same level. Make a hairpin turn to the left and descend in hairpin bends to the Pron mountain pasture.
(3) Turn right (south-west), cross a stream, turn left and descend to a junction.
(4) Follow the straight path to the right. Cross a copse and then the Ruisseau de Coicon stream. At the Étrye mountain pasture, ignore a path coming from the right and climb diagonally up the slope, heading south-southwest. Follow a few hairpin bends to reach the base of the Crête de Coicon ridge (signpost).
(5) Continue straight ahead (west) and descend gently. Go around the Lenlevay mountain chalets on the right and you will come to a crossroads on a flat area (direction signs).
(6) Continue straight ahead (south-west) then turn left onto the path to reach another crossroads.
(7) Continue straight ahead (south-southwest) and climb gently with the GR® below the Crête des Masses. After a small pass without a name, descend (southwest) to reach a crossroads.
(8) Continue straight ahead towards the Col de Bassachaux. Cross a wetland area then climb up to a tarmac road (D228a). Cross the road and you will soon reach the pass (car park, bar-restaurant).
(9) Follow the wide path that continues along the road, still on the GR®5, heading towards the end of the D228 and continuing along the slightly uphill path that follows it. Climb gently to a fork.
(10) Continue straight ahead. Pass an alpine chalet on your left, cross a track and keep to the left to walk alongside a wood. Pass under a chairlift line and you will come to an intersection.
(11) Cross the track, follow a path slightly to the left (south-east) and pass under the power lines. You will reach another intersection.
(12) Keep going in the same direction (south-east) towards the Col de Chésery. N.B. The purple line representing the GR®5 is not updated on the IGN map: follow the route provided and reach the pass (French-Swiss border).
(13) Continue straight on to the Refuge de Chésery, clearly visible on the edge of Lac Vert.
(14) Turn right and walk along the lake on your left. Then, follow a few switchbacks to climb up to the Col des Portes de l'Hiver.
(15) Follow a path on the left. After about 250 metres, turn sharply right. Pass under a chairlift line and continue south. Further on, pass under two other chairlift lines and you will reach the Route de Chaupalin.
(16) Follow the road to the right, passing a building on your left and then the entrance to a refreshment bar on your right. You will reach an intersection.
(17) Follow Route du Lait to the right and pass under another ski lift line. Further on, cross a stream, head south and pass under two more ski lift lines. Head southwest and reach the Lapisa mountain pasture.
(18) Go around the buildings on the left and continue south-west. Pass the Pierre mountain pasture and, staying at the same altitude, reach the Poya mountain pasture. Continue south-west and you will soon reach the Route du Col de Coux.
(19) Follow the road to the right and uphill (altitude 1645).
(20) Further on, after La Vièze, follow a series of hairpin bends to reach the pass (French-Swiss border).
(21) Descend to the left (south-southeast; ignore the path opposite). Descend through open terrain and then enter the forest. Follow a few hairpin bends downhill and you will reach a T-junction.
(22) Turn left and continue downhill through the forest. Cross the Torrent de Chardonnière and you will immediately come to an intersection.
(23) Then turn right (ignore the path on the left that leads to Pas de la Latte). You will soon reach a fork
(24) Keep left towards the Refuge de la Golèse (south-west; ignore the path on the right that leads to the Refuge de Chardonnière). Further on, ignore another access to the Refuge de Chardonnière on the right and continue on the GR®5. Climb through the woods. In a clearing, take a wide bend and cross the valley of a stream. Higher up in the woods, turn left at a hairpin bend and ignore a path on the right.
(25) Come out onto a wide path and follow it to the left. About 300 m further on, ignore the access to the Bonnevalette mountain pasture on the right. After a right-hand bend followed by another left-hand bend, you will reach an intersection.
(26) Leave the GR®5 and turn left towards the Refuge de la Golèse (E).
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