The Ouille Noire from the Pont de l'Oulietta

Access via the Maurienne, at Bonneval towards the Col de l'Iseran. After 8.5 km, the car park is on the right just before the bridge.

Access via the Tarentaise, at Val d'Isère towards the Col de l'Iseran. After 4.2 km, the car park is on the left just after the bridge.

(S/E) South of the car park, take the GR® de Pays Tour de la Haute Maurienne and leave it at the first hairpin bend on the right.

(1) Climb up to the left towards the north-east to go around a rocky outcrop on the left. You will arrive at the foot of the grassy slopes.

(2) Head east on the slopes ending in a ridge and then a hump. After this grassy hump, you will reach much more rocky terrain. Look for a trail and cairns that will help you get past the ledge. The summit of Ouille Noire will come into view.

(3) The summit of Ouille Noire appears. In easy scree and turning to the left, follow the cairns, pass between the lakes on the IGN map and join the path leading to the Col de l'Ouille Noire.

(4) Climb up to the right and reach the pass after a 300 m climb.

(5) Turn south onto the beautiful rocky ridge and avoid the last rocky outcrop on the left. Reach the summit of the Ouille Noire. Extraordinary 360° panorama from the summit: Grand Roc Noir, Parrachée in the distance, the great glaciers of the Vanoise, Grande Casse, Grande Motte, Mont Blanc, Grande Sassière, Tsantelaina, Grande Aiguille Rousse, the Levanna, Pointe Francesetti, Albaron and the magnificent Grand Charbonnel...

(6) Begin the descent by retracing your steps and taking the shortcut on the left (you can return via the pass). When you rejoin the path, turn and head back to the junction you passed on the way up.

(4) Leave the path heading west-southwest and go around the pools of the Ruisseau de la Reculaz on the left. Pass close to the 2906 contour line.

(7) Then, you are free to explore the gentle slopes of the Pays Désert. Depending on the time of year, edelweiss may be in bloom. Be careful of a few small rocky outcrops, which can be crossed by going around them or using their weak points. There are two options: follow the ski trail or wander to the steep slopes to the south.

(8) The southern slopes are very steep. Go around them and reach a path via a steep but easy descent.

(9) Take this path south, to the left, which leads back down to the Pont de la Neige.

(10) Take the road on the right to reach the Pont de l'Oulietta and its small car park (S/E).

Water is available at the start and finish.

The off-piste sections are not exposed.

Do not attempt the southern slopes of the Pays Désert; instead, bypass them on the right.

The landscape at the summit is stunning and offers views of a whole host of peaks that have already been climbed or are waiting to be conquered.