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In Vallouise, cross the Gyr then take the D504 to the right of the church towards Puy Aillaud. After a 5km 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, walk up the road, past the ski lift, then follow the edge of the hamlet until you reach the signpost for La Blanche.
(1) At the sign, take the lane on the right. Follow this for 250 metres until you reach the next junction.
(2) At the signpost, take the path on the right, then at the next junction follow the markings to the left (this junction is not shown on the map). The very well-marked path climbs steeply through the mountain pastures. After a steep ascent, it emerges onto a vast grassy plateau where there is a signpost.
(3) Pass the signpost and follow the line of cairns westwards. The well-marked cairn-lined path crosses a few steep sections. It leads to the left-hand side of the cliff, where a short section with a wire rope, marked by a large red dot, allows you to reach the ridge. Follow the cairns and then cross a rocky shoulder using your hands (very easy scrambling with good handholds). Climb up a gully and head towards the huge summit cairn, which is clearly visible.
(4) Return along the same route back to the grassy ledge and then to the signpost.
(3) Turn 90° to the left towards Lac de Puy Aillaud.
(5) Behind the large cairn by the lake, take the path heading east, following the cairns (be careful not to take the path to the north-east of the lake). After a long traverse, this path leads to an unmarked junction.
(6) Head up the path on the left towards the north-west to visit the ‘Three Refuges’ viewpoint. On a clear day, you can see the Sélé, Pelvoux and Écrins refuges.
(7) Head back down the way you came to return to the previous junction.
(6) Take the path on the left again and continue to a new junction.
(8) Take a sharp right-hand bend. After a few hairpin bends, the path descends across the slope before passing through a larch forest. On the map, it then joins a track. However, in reality, this is no longer possible.
(9) Take a small cattle track on the left instead, cross the Riou de l’Alp and then rejoin the lane. Follow it to the water retention basin and then the upper station of the Préron chairlift. Pass under the chairlift and then head down south-east towards Puy Aillaud. You’ll end up back on the route you took on the way there.
(1) Head down to the left to the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Easy 
Very difficult 
