The route starts at the end of the Route de la Tournette. Coming from Thônes, you can access this road from the RD112 by taking thesecond right after the village of Les Clefs (on the left).
(S/E) After the car park, continue along the track (towards La Tournette, as indicated on the sign). After a few dozen metres, you’ll reach a fork in the track.
Go straight on. From here, you can either take the wide track – which has a few fairly steep slopes – or follow sections of path marked by yellow arrows and cairns, which are longer but have a gentler gradient.
Carry on until you emerge from the forest.
(1) You will see the Refuge du Rosairy perched above you. Keep an eye out for a yellow-marked trailhead on your right. Follow this, leaving the path on your left (our return route), and you will reach the Refuge du Rosairy.
(2) Continue slightly to the right towards the ridge (but without reaching it), following the red markings ofthe GRP®® of the Massif de Tournette-Aravis.
The path then continues, with a few steep sections at times (watch out for late-season snow, which may make progress difficult). After a hairpin bend to the left, you’ll reach a junction.
(3) Let theGRP®® trail head off to the right; continue straight on. Once you reach the ridge, you’ll soon join the path coming from the Col de l’Aulp (on the right). Continue straight on towards the large, clearly visible rock ahead.
(4) This rock is the Fauteuil. Continue to the left of it.
Shortly afterwards, you’ll see a cable on the right: take this route. The route then continues via other sections with cables and ladders – take care!
(5) Climb the ladder to reach the summit of La Tournette (topped by a cross). The area is normally quite extensive, so you should be able to find a relatively secluded spot. Return via the same route.
(4) Take a path to the left beneath the Fauteuil; this follows a ledge with little change in elevation and offers lovely views. You’re very likely to come across chamois in this area.
(6) After the Pointe de Bajulaz, the slope becomes significantly steeper in a couloir, with some steep and slippery sections over stony ground. Take care!
This section is potentially prone to rockfalls, so please also be careful.
The route then follows a grassy ridge without any difficulty.
(7) At an unnamed pass, you’ll reach a fork marked by a cairn: take the left-hand path, which is rather faint at the start. This path begins gently but then descends more steeply (watch out for a few slippery sections). The Refuge de les Praz Dzeures is visible on the right. You’ll come close to it but won’t reach it.
(8) At a fork (at Combe des Frêtes, as indicated on the sign), rejoin theGRP®® of the Massif de la Tournette-Aravis. Turn left towards the Col des Vorets and the Refuge du Rosairy.
(9) At the torrent, the path has disappeared following a landslide. Carefully make your way down a few steps on earthy ground that is somewhat exposed, overlooking steep slopes.
Continue on and, after a descent with a few slippery sections, the path climbs again to reach a pass. Follow the yellow and redGR®® de Pays markings, which are visible intermittently, to the Col des Vorets.
(10) At the pass, after a gentle descent, you’ll reach a chalet – actually a sheepfold – and continue downwards into a small valley.
(11) Further down, you’ll come to a fork in the path (marked ‘Combe des Vorets’ on the sign). Keep left onto the path (no sign on the post and no markings).
After a short climb, the path then leads gently downhill.
(12) As soon as you see the Refuge du Rosairy (which you passed on the way out), take a path on the right without delay. Visibility on this path is fair over short stretches. It soon joins the junction of the circular route.
(1) Continue straight on, leaving the Rosairy path on your left. As on the outward journey, take either the wider, more direct path or the various sections of gentler, but longer, trails (the choice is yours). Return to the starting point (S/E).