The hamlet of Les Esserts from Moulin

Departure from the bus stop or car park along the Route de la Croix Bozon (D87) in the hamlet of Moulin in Peisey-Nancroix.
There are two other car parks, before and after the bridge over the Ponturin at the end of the hamlet, just before (1).

(S/E) With your back to the car park, turn left until you reach the junction with Rue de la Chapelle Sainte-Agathe. Go down this street and cross the hamlet, following the yellow signs for GR®5 towards Rosuel. Go to the bridge over the river and cross it to reach a fork with a sign.

(1) Follow the direction "Les Esserts" on the right, first through fields, then through the forest on a path that climbs steadily. Ignore the paths on the right and continue until you reach another fork with a sign.

(2) The path marked on the IGN map is now closed by a barrier with a "Danger" sign. A new yellow sign indicating Nancroix points to a new path (not mentioned on the IGN map) that winds its way up to a forest road.

(3) Turn right (towards Le Tovet), climb a hundred metres or so to find a fork in the road. Keep right on the forest road towards the hamlet of Les Esserts. Shortly after crossing a bridge over the stream, you will see the hamlet. Head there for a quick visit; it has about ten buildings.

(4) Retrace your steps to the forest road and follow it downhill to the junction you came to on the way up.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the forest road. Ignore a second sign indicating the return to Moulin via a path and continue to the third sign indicating the direction of Moulin at the crossroads (elevation 1496).

(5) Take the path on the left. After a short steep section at the beginning, it descends gently. Follow it straight ahead, ignoring a fork on the left, until you reach the GR®5 which runs alongside the river.

(6) Take the GR®5 on the left and follow it to the initial fork.

(1) Cross the bridge and follow the outward route in reverse to the car park and bus stop (S/E).

This walk can be done in winter with snowshoes (if there is fresh snow) or crampons to put on your shoes (if the snow is hard).

• In the hamlet of Le Moulin, there are several information boards explaining life in the hamlet in times gone by.
• From Les Esserts, in good weather, there is a view of Mont Blanc.