Country:
District:
Hospice de France car park.
(S/E) Head to the Hospice de France refuge/bar and continue along the path that leads through the woods towards the south-east (signposted Chemin de la Frèche, yellow markings). You will soon reach a fork in the path.
(1) Leave the path that turns sharply left towards the red fountain, which you will take on the way back.
Continue straight ahead and walk briskly out of the woods to reach the Cabane du Pesson. A few metres after this, cross the stream via the footbridge on the right.
(2) Continue climbing, with the stream now on your left, towards the top of the valley. Follow the yellow markings. At around 1,760 m, the climb becomes steeper. Zigzag your way up before turning east at around 2,010 m to continue on almost level ground and finish crossing the ledge that leads to the Étangs de la Frèche lakes.
The yellow markings continue all the way to the lakes.
(3) Head diagonally south-east to the left of the small cirque where you can see the path climbing eastwards. The yellow markings continue at the start of the path but quickly disappear when the path turns south towards the pass, which is now clearly visible. You will then need to be more vigilant in spotting and following the cairns that lead to the Pas (pass) de l'Escalette. The going is easy, and the pass is clearly visible.
(4) At the pass, at border marker 333, take the wide stony path on the left (those prone to vertigo may find this fairly short section uncomfortable, but it is not particularly difficult). You will soon reach a fork in the path.
(5) Leave the main path, which branches off to the left and descends gently down the hillside.
Continue along the well-marked path that follows the ridge to Soum de l'Escalette at an altitude of 2,466 metres. This is the highest point of the hike.
(6) From the summit, descend northwards along the ridge via a well-marked but unmarked path. At around 2360 m, turn left and rejoin the main path you left earlier.
(7) Continue along the ridge path to the Col de la Montjoie (or Pas de la Mountjoye). Yellow markings.
(8) At the pass, at border marker 336 and the signs, continue along the path on the French side, ignoring all paths coming from the right. After a final descent through the woods, you will easily reach the fork you passed on the way up.
(1) Turn right to quickly reach the Hospice de France and the car park (S/E).
Association / Club / Walk leader
Moderate 
Visorando member
Very difficult 
