The Ouille Noire from the Pont de l'Oulietta

Access via the Maurienne valley: from Bonneval, head 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: from Val d’Isère, head towards the Col de l’Iseran. After 4.2 km, the car park is on the left just after the bridge.

(S/E) To the 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) Head up to the left towards the north-east to go round a rocky outcrop on the left. You’ll reach the foot of some grassy slopes.

(2) Head due east up the slopes, which end in a ridge and then a hump. After this grassy hump, you’ll reach much rockier terrain. You’ll come across a track and cairns which will help you get past the rocky outcrop. The summit of the Ouille Noire comes into view.

(3) The summit of the Ouille Noire comes into view. Over easy scree and following a path that curves to the left, follow the cairns, pass between the lakes shown on the IGN map and join the path leading to the Col de l’Ouille Noire.

(4) Climb to the right and reach the pass after a 300-metre ascent.

(5) Turn south onto the beautiful rocky ridge and bypass the final rocky outcrop to the left. Reach the summit of the Ouille Noire. An extraordinary 360° panorama from the summit: the Grand Roc Noir, the Parrachée in the distance, the Great Glaciers of the Vanoise, the Grande Casse, the Grande Motte, Mont Blanc, the Grande Sassière, the Tsantelaina, the Grande Aiguille Rousse, the Levanna, the Pointe Francesetti, the Albaron and the magnificent Grand Charbonnel...

(6) Begin the descent by retracing your steps and taking the shortcut to the left (you can also go back via the pass). Once back on the path, head towards and reach the junction from the outward journey.

(4) Leave the track, heading west-south-west, and go round the pools of the Ruisseau de la Reculaz on the left. Pass close to the 2906 contour line.

(7) Next, you’re free to explore the gentle slopes of the Pays Désert. Depending on the time of year, edelweiss may be in bloom. Watch out for a few small rocky outcrops; these can be crossed by going round the sides or through their weak spots. There are two options: follow the ski trail or wander towards the steep slopes to the south.

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

(9) Take this path southwards, to the left, which leads back downstream of the Pont de la Neige.

(10) Follow the road to 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 view from the summit is breathtaking, offering a chance to admire a whole host of peaks that have already been climbed or are yet to be conquered.