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(S/E) From the large Fontanettes car park, take theGR®55(signposted) which climbs north-east through the undergrowth at the edge of the slopes; a fairly steep climb on a rocky path, cross a wide track near a technical building; continue opposite along the path and come out onto a track suitable for jeeps.
(1) Follow the track for about 700 metres until you reach a junction:
Note: Shortly after taking the track, you will find a wide, winding path on the left that leads to the same intersection; this is the actualGR®55, but it is a little longer.
(2) Continue climbing along the track on the right and you will soon reach the Refuge des Barmettes.
(3) Pass the refuge and cross the stream via the Glière bridge. Information board.
(4) After the bridge, take the path lined with dry stone walls; this is the Chemin du Sel. After a moderate climb, you will reach the Glière chalets.
Note from (5) to (8) This route is somewhat wild, little used and unmarked.
(5) From the chalets (sign), leave the path and take a trail that climbs to the right towards Moriond. Follow the winding path to reach an unnamed pass.
(6) From the pass, a small path climbs to the right to ascend the large hill of Moriond. In less than 10 minutes, you will reach the cairn at the summit. Continue a little further to the second cairn for a panoramic view.
(7) Return to the pass and set off opposite along a small path that climbs towards the Aiguille de la Vanoise. After passing close to the ruins of the Cha chalet, the path runs along the base of the Aiguille de la Vanoise on the right, i.e. at the base of the south face.
After crossing a scree slope, the trail disappears, reappearing sporadically here and there. Keep heading east towards the Grande Casse, then after reaching a high point overlooking the dry Lac des Assiettes, descend into the valley towards theGR®55trail, which is clearly visible.
(8) Back on theGR®55, turn right towards the new and attractive Col de la Vanoise refuge.
(9) After a break at the refuge, retrace your steps and begin a long descent via theGR®55. Look out over Lac Long on your right, then further down at a hairpin bend in the path (point 2341m), leave theGR® for a path that goes around Lac des Vaches on the right.
(10) Stay on this path for about 200m, as it begins to descend towards the outlet of Lac des Vaches, then leave it for a path that branches off to the right (cairn).
(11) From the cairn, climb the path towards the Chalet des Gardes.
(12) Descend a few metres behind the chalet to cross the Vallonnet stream on a wooden footbridge. Turn right after the footbridge and climb up a stony path to reach the promontory overlooking Lac de la Patinoire.
(13) Descend back to the Chalet des Gardes and take the path that descends to the right. After a few large hairpin bends, it joins one of the paths that runs through the valley, crossing and recrossing theGR®55.
(14) Descend, crossing and recrossing theGR®55, but be sure to stay on the best-marked trails to avoid further soil erosion (signs and light barriers). Return to the route you took to climb to the Glière chalets.
(5) Descend to the Refuge des Barmettes; after the refuge, there are several marked variants. Otherwise, follow the outward route back to the Fontanettes car park (S/E).
Visorando member
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Association / Club / Walk leader
