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Park at the Pont de l’Alp.
(S/E) From the car park, cross to the left bank of the Torrent du Rif and follow the excellent path heading towards the Alpe du Lauzet (markedGR®®, red and white). This path, initially heading east, soon joins a track suitable for vehicles, heading north then north-east. Stay on the track until you reach the chalets at Alpe du Lauzet, then turn left towards the footbridge crossing the Torrent du Rif.
(1) Cross the footbridge and follow the path, which runs roughly south-north and climbs up the left bank of the Torrent du Plan Chevalier. The path, initially on a gentle slope, runs below the scree and boulders that dot the eastern flank of the valley, then climbs more steeply in switchbacks through the scree on the northern side of the valley, before reaching rocks fitted with cables.
(2) Follow the cables up to the small pass at 2,302 m overlooking the Grand Lac. Descend towards the lake and skirt round it along its left (eastern) bank, keeping as close to the shore as possible. Cross the stream that feeds the lake from the north, and take the slightly enclosed valley on the left (west) which ascends north-north-west (it doesn’t matter if you take the wrong valley; if you take the one slightly further east, both lead to the same place). Once you reach a flat area where several small streams converge, veer sharply left towards the north-west, heading for the westernmost pass on the Ponsonnière ridge. Follow the cairn-marked paths to the pass (elevation 2,699 m).
(3) At the pass, admire Lac Blanc below, but continue north-west along the foot of very light-coloured, rounded rocks (the Rochers Plats du Lac Blanc) towards a pass that only becomes clearly visible at around 2,800 m. The path is marked with cairns, though not excessively so. This leads to the Col Termier at an altitude of 2,898 m.
(4) From the pass, look out for the Galibier peaks to the north-west: the highest is the one that appears the lowest but is marked by a radio mast (Western Summit); the route climbs along the slope towards this summit, avoiding the steep Eastern Summit. Reach a slight plateau on a shoulder at around 2,980m.
(5) Follow the clearly visible cairned path heading north-north-west. This path is very well marked with cairns (approximately every 20 metres) and dotted with blue markers all the way to the summit. A few easy short sections may occasionally require you to use your hands on the rock.
(6) After reaching the summit and admiring the surroundings, retrace your steps to return to the slight plateau.
(5) Be careful: it is easy to descend too far down towards the small lake below the Col Termier. You must therefore stay close to the ridge below the East Summit of the Galibier to avoid having to climb back up later.
At the flat area, look for a gently sloping gully heading north-east towards a small pass and scree to the north and above the Rochers Blancs. Descend this gully almost as far as the scree, then climb up some easy rocks to the pass mentioned earlier. This pass looks north over a gently sloping glacier and offers a lovely view.
(7) At the pass, retrace your steps (south) to reach the scree and veer left (east-southeast) to follow a track at the base of the scree. Once you reach the rounded rocks, this track disappears; continue, however, in the same direction to reach a small lake which you will have spotted from the top of the scree.
(8) From the lake, descend slowly and by sight, following the right-hand (southern) flank of the valley whilst staying almost at the same level. The direction is due east, and you should aim for a small pass allowing you to cross into the neighbouring valley. There are no markings, but the ridge of the IGN 2760m summit points the way.
(9) At the small pass on Lac Blanc, veer right towards the south-east towards Lac Blanc to skirt round its western flank, then climb back up towards the pass along the Ponsonnière ridge, which you crossed on the way out.
(3). Turn sharply left, heading due east, to follow the ridge to the Col de la Ponsonnière.
(10) At the Col de la Ponsonnière, follow the path heading uphill and running due east (towards Béraudes/Col du Chardonnet). The path runs along the slope below the Collet de la Ponsonnière, directly above the lake of the same name.
(11) Leave the path and descend directly south towards the lake along the ridge of a gently sloping hill. Walk along one side of the lake to join theGR®®57, which heads south towards the Aiguilles de la Bruyère range. After passing an ONF fountain and an alpine hut, you’ll reach the pass (2,435 m), from where you can either descend to the right (west) to the Grand Lac, or head down to the Alpe du Lauzet (east).
(12) Turn left (east) to descend towards the Alpe du Lauzet and skirt the Arêtes de la Bruyère to the east. The path initially heads east, then veers right towards the south to follow the Rif torrent.
(13) Ignore the path leading to the Clot des Vaches mountain hut. Follow the path to the chalets at Alpe du Lauzet, where you will rejoin the wide track taken on the way up. Continue down to the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Moderate 
