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In Vallouise, cross the Gyr river and take the D504 to the right of the church towards Puy Aillaud. After a 5 km climb, park in the car park at the end of the hamlet on the left-hand side of the road.
(S/E) From the car park, go up the road, past the ski lift and follow the hamlet until you see the sign for La Blanche.
(1) At the sign, take the lane on the right. Follow it for 250 m until the next intersection.
(2) At the sign, take the path on the right and at the next intersection follow the markings on the left (this intersection is not shown on the map). The well-marked path climbs steeply through the mountain pastures. After a steep climb, it comes out onto a large grassy plateau with a signpost.
(3) Pass the sign and follow the line of cairns to the west. The well-marked trail crosses a few steep passages. It leads to the left side of the cliff to a short cable-assisted passage marked by a large red dot, which allows you to reach the ridge. Follow the cairns and cross a rocky shoulder using your hands (very easy climbing with large holds). Climb up a couloir and you will see the gigantic cairn at the summit.
(4) Return in the same direction to the grassy ledge and then to the sign.
(3) Turn 90° left towards Lac de Puy Aillaud.
(5) Behind the large cairn at the lake, take the path eastwards, following the cairns (be careful not to take the path north-east of the lake). After a long traverse, this path leads to a junction of unmarked paths.
(6) Go up the trail on the left to the northwest to visit the viewpoint of the three refuges. On a clear day, you can see the Sélé, Pelvoux and Écrins refuges.
(7) Descend in the opposite direction to return to the previous crossroads.
(6) Take the trail on the left and continue to a new intersection.
(8) Take the hairpin bend to the right. After a few switchbacks, the trail descends diagonally before passing through a larch forest. It then joins a lane on the map. However, this is no longer possible on the ground.
(9) Take a small cow path on the left, cross the Riou de l'Alp and rejoin the lane. Follow it to the water retention basin and then the upper station of the Préron chairlift. Pass under the chairlift and descend south-east towards Puy Aillaud. You will come out on the road you took on the way up.
(1) Descend on the left to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Easy 
