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From the Maurienne valley, go up the Villards valley to the Col du Glandon. Park in the car park at the pass.
It is also possible to start from a car park located at the first of the last four hairpin bends on the road up to the pass on the Maurienne side.
(S/E) From the car park, take the path that runs along the side of the mountain and passes under the Chalets du Col, heading due west. You will soon come to a junction.
(1) Do not take the path on the left leading to Lac de la Combe, but continue straight ahead. The path descends and enters an area where the vegetation is taller.
(2) At the edge of the forest, ignore the path on the left and continue straight ahead. The path climbs and passes at the foot of a rock pillar. These are the eastern foothills of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière.
(3) A trail comes up from below on the right. This is the trail that starts at the hairpin bend on the climb up to the pass and can be used as an alternative starting point. Continue straight ahead and enter the Combe de la Croix. After about 100 metres, a path branches off to the right towards the summit of the Sambuis. Do not take this path, but continue straight ahead to climb up the Combe de la Croix, keeping the torrent on your right.
(4) When you reach the foot of a narrow, steep gully, continue climbing over rocky blocks, keeping the stream on your right. You will soon reach a flat area. One last steep section separates you from Lac de la Croix.
(5) At the lake, go around it to the east and climb up towards the Col du Sambuis in a north-easterly direction.
From here, the trail and markings disappear, but cairns will help you find your way to the Col du Sambuis.
(6) From the pass, descend into the valley towards a small lake (or trace of a lake, as it was dry during the hike) slightly to the right. Lac du Sambuis should appear slightly to the left and then disappear. Head towards it, following the few cairns.
(7) From the lake, descend south-east towards two small lakes in a row. Climb back up south-east to rejoin the Cime du Sambuis trail.
(8) Once you have found the Cime du Sambuis trail, climb up to the left towards Sambuis to reach another small lake.
(9) Descend to the previous crossroads.
(8) Take the Sambuis trail marked in green and black and by cairns. A final small lake is on the right as you descend.
(10) Cross the stream via the metal footbridge and rejoin the path taken on the way up. Turn left.
(3) Continue to the right and return to the Col du Glandon via the same route as on the way up (S/E).
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Difficult 
Very difficult 
