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Departure from the Pont de la Pêche car park at the end of the road. In August, it is often very full, except at dawn, so you may have to drive back down a little.
(S/E) Start at the end of the road.
Red and whiteGR® 55 markings
(1) Take the time to read the information board, which will give you an overview of the route. Then take the fork to the right along the stream, cross a few trickles of water, go over the bridge (concrete pipes) and start climbing. The slope is quite steep in this first part of the route.
(2) After 1 km, ignore the path on your right that climbs towards the Petit Mont Blanc and continue along the wide path.
(3) After another 500 metres, you will arrive at the Refuge du Roc de la Pêche. You can take the time to visit the restored chapel, or save it for your return trip.
(4) Continue for another 800 metres on this gently ascending path, noting the Chapendu sheepfold on your left; the goats may not be far away. Continue and look carefully to your left below, where marmots are happily basking in the sun. It's about 700 metres to the Ritord mountain pasture. You'll make a detour to Ritord on the way back (cheese is heavy!). Stay to the right on the path.
(5) After another 800 metres, leave the path on your right that leads to Col Rouge (a very beautiful off-trail hike). A little further on, leave the well-renovated Mollaret d'en bas chalet on your right, slightly set back from the path. Then the slope becomes steeper and the path winds around a few bends. At around 2350m, after an S-bend, there is a small lake on your left (still frozen in mid-July 2018). 250m further on, on your right and at the foot of the rocky ridge, don't miss the crystal-clear water.
(6) At an altitude of 2,427 metres, leave theGR®55to climb to the right towards the Peclet Polset refuge
End of the red and whiteGR® 55 markings
(7) You will arrive at the Peclet Polset Refuge. Admire the 360° view. There are several hikes to do in the area and opposite. You can find a spot for your picnic, but the view of the lake will make it even better. Leave the refuge by going around it on the right (east) and following the path that leads to Lac Blanc, the glaciers and the Col du Soufre. Descend towards the lake and walk along its eastern shore. The lake is usually white due to the minerals suspended in its waters, but in July 2018, we saw it as blue, emerald, white and cottony with reflections from the snowfields, all within two hours.
(8) Leave the path to the north-east of the lake, off the beaten track, but in a beautiful alpine meadow. When you reach the pass, look for the tracks that lead you back to the path.
Please note that as of early July 2018, the trail has not yet been restored after the winter avalanches and is 'erased' in three or four sections.
After several hairpin bends, you will rejoin the track.
(9) Take the track back to the start.
Red and whiteGR® 55 markings
(10) To shorten the return journey a little, take a mini detour via the Ritord mountain pasture, where you can buy local products (Beaufort, Tomme, Serac, etc.) and chat with the locals about their unique way of life.
(4) Pass by the Chapendu sheepfold again.
(3) Back at the Refuge du Roc de la Pêche, you can either return via the same route you took on the way there or via the route described below.
Alternative return route: leave the red and white markings
Leave the refuge by retracing your steps a little and heading towards the stream (in the direction of Montaimont). The path is well marked and descends steeply with two hairpin bends towards the stream.
(11) Cross the footbridge and enjoy the view. This is the advantage of this alternative route. The trail climbs steeply on the other side to the buildings of Montaimont. A wide path then heads north. Take this path and, a little further on, it descends more steeply, making a few S-bends.
(1) Head to the information board and the nearby car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Difficult 
