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Park at 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 towards Alpe du Lauzet (markedGR®, red and white). This path initially heads east, but quickly follows a track north then north-east. Stay on the road until you reach the chalets of Alpe du Lauzet, then turn left towards the footbridge crossing the Torrent du Rif.
(1) Cross the footbridge and follow the trail heading generally south-north and climbing up the left bank of the Torrent du Plan Chevalier. The path, which is initially slightly sloping, remains below the scree and boulders that dot the eastern side of the valley, then climbs more steeply in switchbacks through the scree to the north of the valley, before reaching rocks equipped with cables.
(2) Climb up the cables to the small pass at 2302m overlooking the Grand Lac. Descend towards the lake and go around it on its left (east) bank, 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 climbs north-north-west (it doesn't matter if you take the wrong valley, as the one a little further east leads to the same place). After reaching a flat area where several streams meet, turn sharply left to the north-west and head for the westernmost pass on the Ponsonnière ridge. Follow the cairned paths to the pass (altitude 2699m).
(3) At the pass, admire Lac Blanc below, but continue north-west at the foot of very light-coloured rock formations (the Rochers Plats du Lac Blanc) towards a pass that only becomes clearly visible at around 2800m. The path is marked with cairns, but not excessively so. This will take you to Col Termier at an altitude of 2898m.
(4) From the pass, locate the Galibier peaks to the north-west: the highest is the one that appears the lowest but has a radio antenna (Sommet Ouest); the route climbs up the side towards this peak, avoiding the steep Sommet Est. Reach a slight plateau on a shoulder at around 2980m.
(5) Follow the clearly marked cairned path heading north-northwest. This path is very well marked (approximately every 20m) and dotted with blue dots all the way to the summit. A few small, easy steps sometimes 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 towards the small lake below Col Termier. You must therefore stay close to the ridge below the eastern summit of Galibier to avoid having to climb back up afterwards.
At the plateau, look for a gently sloping couloir heading north-east towards a small pass and scree to the north and above the Rochers Blancs. Descend this couloir almost to the scree, then climb up the easy rocks to the aforementioned pass. This pass overlooks a gently sloping glacier to the north and offers a beautiful view.
(7) At the pass, retrace your steps (south) to reach the scree and veer left (east-southeast) to follow a trail at the base of the scree. When you reach the rounded rocks, the trail disappears; however, continue in the same direction to reach a small lake that you will have spotted from the top of the scree.
(8) From the lake, descend slowly and carefully, following the right-hand side (south) of the valley and staying at roughly the same altitude. Head due east and look for a small pass that will take you into the neighbouring valley. There are no markings, but the ridge of the IGN 2760m summit indicates the direction.
(9) At the Lac Blanc small pass, turn right towards the south-east towards Lac Blanc to go around its western flank and climb back up towards the pass on the Ponsonnière ridge that you passed on the way up.
(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 uphill heading due east (towards Béraudes/Col du Chardonnet). The path passes 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 a gently sloping ridge. Walk along one side of the lake to join theGR®57, which heads south towards the Aiguilles de la Bruyère group. After passing an ONF fountain and an alpine hut, you will reach the pass (2,435 m), where you can either descend to the right (west) to the Grand Lac or descend to the Alpe du Lauzet (east).
(12) Turn left (east) to descend towards Alpe du Lauzet and go around the Arêtes de la Bruyère to the east. The trail initially heads east, then veers right towards the south to follow the Rif torrent. Follow this trail to the chalets of Alpe du Lauzet and rejoin the wide path taken on the way up. Descend to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Moderate 
