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Preliminary remarks: read the practical information before embarking on this hike.
(S/E) From the car park, follow the Gâte road towards L'Oursière (signposted), first heading south-southeast, then, after crossing a ford, heading northeast. The path goes around a shoulder and heads south-east again, turning into a well-marked trail which, after a few hairpin bends and crossing three streams, reaches the foot of the Oursière waterfalls (see photos in summer and autumn) after the discreet ruins of the Chalet de l'Oursière.
Continue along the winding path towards L'Oursière (signposted), generally heading east. Please note that this part of the path can be dangerous in winter and may require crampons.
(1) Reach the first flat section of the Doménon above the waterfalls and continue along the almost horizontal path on the left bank of the torrent until you reach the sign for Oursière.
(2) At the sign, follow the direction of La Pra, still heading east, at the same level and as close as possible to the Doménon stream. The trail is sometimes cluttered with alders and passes through scree. At the bottom of the valley, it climbs northwards and forms numerous switchbacks that lead to the second plateau of Doménon.
On this plateau, where the stream meanders peacefully, continue west-northwest on the left bank until you find a place to ford the stream (it doesn't matter exactly where, but before the confluence of the Doménon stream with the stream from Lac Merlat (see track and IGN map).
(3) Once on the right bank of the Doménon, follow one of the faint paths on the right bank of the Lac Merlat outlet to the northeast, or - if you prefer - follow my GPS track, which explores a small valley inhabited by marmots and chamois. In any case, continue along the stream flowing from Lac Merlat, on the right bank and off the path, until you reach the lake's spillway.
(4) After visiting the lake, return to its spillway and continue gently uphill to the northeast until you reach a small plateau and pass between Galeteau and Roc de l'Hôpital (see viewpoint), where there is a pond that is usually dry by the end of spring. The Pra refuge is then quickly in sight.
(5) At the Refuge de la Pra, continue northeast on the path leading to the Col de la Pra to enjoy the view of Lac du Crozet.
(6) At the pass, turn back towards the refuge.
(5) Go around the refuge on the left. Descend a few steps and rocks to cross the footbridge over the main course of the Doménon. Immediately after crossing the stream, a three-way junction offers a choice between a slightly ascending path to the south-southeast towards Lac David and a slightly descending path along the stream towards Roc de l'Hôpital to the south-southwest. Follow the latter direction, staying carefully on the left bank of the stream, until you reach the circular Lac Claret.
(7) Pass the lake's spillway and continue either on the path or, as on my route, via the small chamois gully heading south-west towards the next lake, Lac Longet. When you see it, walk along its right bank.
(8) When you reach a fork in the path near the south-western end of the lake, look for a trail on the right that descends through a dip in the terrain and a small bend to the west. The secluded Lac Bernard will soon come into view. Take the trail on its right bank until you reach its spillway.
(9) Continue along the path to the south-west and go around the secondary pool of Lac Bernard, then cross a small grassy plateau to reach the main path that descends into the Longet outlet valley. When the slope becomes steeper, Lac Léama is visible below (see photo), nestled between the slopes of the Combe de Jasse Bralard. Descend the winding path to the lake, ignoring the path heading east towards the bottom of the Combe de Jasse Bralard.
(10) From the lake, continue along the path on the right bank, then cross the river and continue on the left bank. The balcony path continues south-west until it joins a trail at the Échaillon sign. Continue south-west along the mountain path until you reach Clôt des Vernes, just after a small lake bordered by a rock face.
(11) Continue southwest until you reach the next signpost under the Grand Sorbier.
(12) At the sign, turn right onto the path descending north towards L'Oursière. Continue the steep descent until you reach the L'Oursière sign.
(2). From there, turn left (west) to return to the path you took on the way up to the car park (S/E).
Alpage de la Pra
Visorando member
Moderate 
