Les Mayes

At La Paute, 2 km before Le Bourg d’Oisans, on the RN1091 heading from Grenoble towards Le Bourg d’Oisans, turn right towards La Mure and the Col d’Ornon via the D526. Park just before the pass in the car park opposite the ‘L’Eterlou’ stopover lodge, in the village of Le Plan du Col.

(S/E) Cross the road and head down a wide path below into the meadow. A track through the grass leads briefly northwards. Shortly afterwards, you’ll reach a three-way junction where the two branches meet on the left bank of a dry stream.
Head westwards uphill and enter the forest. After a few wide bends followed by switchbacks on a well-marked path, you emerge from the undergrowth for good at an altitude of around 1,750 m. Continue on to reach Combe Jargeatte.

(1) Ford the torrent, then stay on the right bank and head uphill to join, further up, a new track that runs southwards at an altitude of 1,850 metres.
Then traverse southwards, climbing slowly through rhododendrons, junipers and blueberries. After crossing the Combe de la Lauze, you’ll reach the foot of the Combe de la Pisse.

(2) Then climb the steep slope heading west. After a gruelling 500-metre ascent, you will reach the ridge at Clot Beaumont and its pass, at an altitude of 2,400 metres.
From there, head north to the large, clearly visible cairn at the 2,447-metre mark of Clot Beaumont.

(3) Descend westwards to reach the broad Col de Clot Beaumont, then, veering south-west, reach the southern ridge of Les Mayes.

(4) Begin the ascent of this ridge heading due north to reach the summit of Les Mayes.

(5) Then head back along the same route to the car park (S/E)

Taillefer, La Pyramide, Grand Armet and the Vallon de Vaunoire.