Pointe de Rognier and its surroundings

Park at the Doua car park located almost at the end of a forest road.
Access to this location is as follows:
- about 900 m after leaving the village of Presle (RD 207), take the road on the right
- at the^first hamlet (Mont Rosset), continue left,
- then continue straight ahead at the other intersections,
- once you reach the unpaved section, turn left at the^first intersection (uphill),
- a little further up after a few hairpin bends, continue straight ahead at an intersection (the left-hand direction leads to the Route Forestière des Ramiettes.

(S/E) Take the path (towards Col de la Perche).

(1) Shortly afterwards, take the^first fork on the left (marked by a small signpost).
A little further on, just after a bend in the road, take a path on the left (no sign).
The path then climbs in a series of hairpin bends to reach the Chalets du Gargoton (ruined buildings).

(2) At the fork, turn left towards the Sources du Gargoton (20 minutes away according to the sign): the path continues to climb steadily via a few hairpin bends.

(3) At the Sources du Gargoton, you will join the^{GR® trail}: follow it towards the Col de la Perche. After a steady climb, you will reach the Col de la Perche (1,984 m).

(4) Take the path on the right, leaving the^GR® (there are no signs indicating this direction). The climb then becomes a little steeper, with a few passages that may be exposed. Once you reach the ridge, continue along it to the right until you reach the summit (be careful on a few tricky passages where you may need to use your hands).

(5) The summit of Pointe du Rognier (2,341 m), topped by a cross, is clearly visible. There is also an orientation table.
Retrace your steps a little, then turn right towards Poste Optique and Fontaine Noire (as indicated on a stone): the yellow markings make it easy to follow the route. The path descends quite steeply, then climbs slightly. After a long descent, the path enters a wooded area.

(6) At one point, the path descends more steeply on the right: you will come to a moderately visible fork (signposted to the right towards Les Revaux on a stone). Continue straight ahead on the path (still marked in yellow), which continues to descend.

(7) Further down, you will come to a fork in the path towards the Poste Optique: continue to the right towards this location. You will soon reach a forest chalet: turn left to reach the old optical post, which is only a few metres away.
Return by the same route to the initial fork.

(7) Continue to the right until you reach a fork.

(8) Take the path on the left towards the Fontaine Noire (as indicated on a rock). The path descends steadily (follow the yellow markings) to join a good forest track further down. Turn left.

(9) The path climbs slightly as it passes by a building: this is the Chalet de Fontaine Noire. Continue along the forest track

(10) After a bend in the track, look for the start of a small path (yellow markings) on the left: the slope becomes much steeper as it joins the forest track further up. Cross the forest track and continue almost straight ahead (slightly to the right) with a fairly steep start for a few metres, then continue on an easy path with regular yellow markings.

(11) Continue along the path (marked in yellow), which crosses the forest track several times before reaching its end higher up.

(12) Continue along the path, which climbs steadily to reach the Chalet d'Arbarétan (refuge).

(13) From the Arbarétan refuge, you will reach the^{GR® trail}. Follow it towards the Col de la Perche, located a little higher up.

(4) Col de la Perche is a familiar place: continue along the^GR® towards Sources du Gargoton, following the same route as on the way there.

(3) From the Gargoton springs, head towards the Chalet du Gargoton as on the way there.

(2) At the fork, take the path on the right towards the Chalets de Gargoton (very close by) and then the Parking de la Doua car park (S/E).

Good hiking boots are recommended.

Take your rubbish with you! Nature has a hard time digesting it.

Please note that some sections are potentially exposed.

With the exception of the start of the route, the signposting is generally good:
- from (S/E) to (2): the old markings are not very visible (normally yellow in colour); only one signpost is visible at the start.
- From (2) to (3): the yellow markings are clear. There are signposts.
- From (3) to (4):^GR® markings are clear. Signposts are present.
- From (4) to (5): No markings, but following the route should not pose any problems.
- From (5) to (8): Good, regular yellow markings, which are helpful in certain sections.
- From (8) to (9): Discreet yellow markings, but following the forest track is not a problem.
- From (9) to (11): Good, regular yellow markings; the first section is a little steep. It is not always easy to spot where the sections begin.
- From (11) to (13): Yellow markings become less and less visible as you approach the refuge; following the route should not pose any problems.
- From (13) to (3): Good^GR® markings^. Signposts are present.
- From (3) to (2): Yellow markings. Signposts present.
- From (2) to (S/E): Virtually no markings.

Numerous refuges along the route.

Frequency:
- Between (S/E) and (5), section may be busy.
- Between (5) and (13), section with little traffic.
- Between (13) and (S/E), section that can be frequented.

Alternative route: it is possible to continue via the forest track at (10) to reach (12): the route is longer in distance but the elevation gain is much gentler.

From the Arbarétan refuge - Point (13), I recommend a short detour via Lac des Grenouilles, located just above.

Pointe de Rognier (2,341 m).

Optical post: read here