Circular route from Treicol to Lac Presset and Brèche de Parozan

Access via the Col du Pré, setting off from the car park at the Treicol mountain pasture.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the Col du Bresson (signposted); the path is marked in red and white throughout the ascent, which begins on a dirt track and then cuts across the hairpin bends.

(1) At the Presset signpost, take the path branching off to the left and follow it to the Col du Bresson.

(2) At the pass, take the path branching off to the left, heading across towards Lac du Refuge de Presset, which you can see.

(3) Lac Presset lies right at the foot of the refuge, and the Pierra Menta is reflected in its waters when they are free of ice, which often persists late into the season.

(4) Go round the lake on the right and begin the climb towards the Col du Grand Fond.

(5) At the pass, after a slightly steep scree slope – though the path is well marked – the view of Mont Blanc is magnificent. From there, leave the marked path which descends into the Combe de la Neuva and set off on the traverse to the left along a clearly visible path which is not shown on maps. Note: if the large snowfield is present below the pass, it is best to descend a little before crossing to avoid the very steep section. The path heads straight towards the Brêche de Parozan. Caution: You must be careful on this path, which crosses some rather steep scree slopes.

(6) At the breach, follow the ridge to the left (west) for its entire length, as the descent path starts at the northern end. The west face of the breach is quite impressive when viewed from above, as it is very steep.
The path is fairly well marked at the start and descends via very tight switchbacks. It is actually quite easy, although walking poles are advisable, and a word of caution: it is best to avoid this route if conditions are too wet.

After the steep slope leading up to the mountain pasture, follow the more or less well-marked path – with a few cairns that are a bit too far apart but can be very useful – until you reach a chalet nestled against a large rock.

(7) From the chalet, the grassy slope becomes very steep again and the path remains somewhat haphazard. Head to the left, south-west, until you reach the stream, which you should follow.
At one point, the path—which remains very steep—is better marked and winds down in hairpin bends to a wider track.

(8) Follow this to the left until you reach the road at the end of a hairpin bend.

(9) Follow the road and, a little further on, take the path back the way you came to reach the car park (S/E).

Caution is advised on the second part of the route due to steep slopes; this applies to:
- the approach to the Brèche de Parozan, particularly if there is a snowfield (crampons may then be useful).
- the descent from the Brèche via the steep western couloir, which has unstable ground; this should be avoided in wet conditions.

On the access road to the car park: Roselend Lake and Dam

During the hike: Lake and Presset Refuge, the Pierra Menta, views of Mont Blanc from the Col du Grand Fond, the Brèche de Parozan (a long gap nearly 200 m long and just as high, between the Pointe de Presset to the south and the Aiguille du Grand Fond to the north).