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The Doriaz car park is located at the top of the commune of Les Déserts. The road is easily accessible. The hike starts at the bottom of the car park.
(S/E) With your back to the car park, head towards the Grange de la Paleu, pass it and you will come to a fork with no name or signposts.
(1) Turn left. Signs will quickly confirm that you are on the right track. Continue until you reach the Col de la Doria.
(2) Turn right and follow the signs for "cascade". From here, the path descends significantly. Stay on the main trail.
(3) At the pretty Doria waterfall, cross the concrete bridge over the Doria River. The path will start to climb again. Continue until you reach a crossroads.
(4) Continue straight ahead. The "Croix du Nivolet par les échelles" is now signposted. Cross the Nivolet and the mountain pasture.
(5) Leave the mountain pasture via the path that climbs straight up. A steep climb with some difficult sections awaits you. Cables, ladders and various handholds are permanently in place. Before reaching the cross, make a detour via the western promontory. Retrace your steps slightly rather than risk straddling the fault line.
(6) Croix de Nivolet. Continue along the path, keeping to the right, until you reach a four-way junction.
(7) Turn left, passing in front of a concrete shelter. Descend a dirt track, which slopes gently and steadily, with few markings.
(8) Here you can take a 5-minute detour to the right for a final view of the Belledonne Massif.
(9) Viewpoint. If you have made this detour, you can also access a via ferrata. Retrace your steps.
(8) Continue the descent to the fork in the path you took on the way up.
(1) Turn left and head back to the Doriaz car park (S/E)
Visorando member
Moderate 
