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The circuit starts at the Clots car park (1232 m) above Villard-de-Lans. Access by car via the climate school or via Cote 2000 (les Glovettes).
(S/E) Once you are equipped, head east at the far end of the car park and climb the few steps that lead to the Vallon de la Fauge via the wide Chemin des Clots. The climb is continuous, fairly short (about 200 m) and faces north-west. Then walk on flat ground through the forest.
(1) The path descends and heads south into the Vallon de la Fauge. Further on, it climbs gradually for about 800 m and reaches the small pass of the Clots.
(2) Turn left towards the Fauge sheepfold, go through the cattle gate (close it properly behind you) and climb the new path that branches off to the right of the path leading directly to the sheepfold (difference between the route and the standard IGN map).
(3) Turn right towards the south and head towards the bottom of the Combe Charbonnière. Cross the mountain pastures, then start the fairly steep climb up the combe. This climb starts in the woods and ends in a scree slope, leading to the Sentier Péronnard (1640 m).
(4) Turn right towards the south and continue up the short (100 m) but steep climb towards Pas de l'Œille. You will reach a fork with no signpost.
(5) Take the left-hand climb heading south.
The path descending to the right leads to Grande Combe, which is the return route. A hundred metres further on, look for the winding path on the right that you will take on the way back. It is very easy to spot but there are no signs.
The uphill path gives way to rocky sections where you may need to use your hands. However, it is not a difficult or exposed section. Follow the yellow and green markings.
Pass a first plateau that gives you the illusion of arriving, and continue south for another 250 m to reach the Pas de l'Œille (1,960 m).
(6) Beautiful view of the valley south of Grenoble: Prélenfrey, Lac de Notre-Dame de Commiers, Belledonne and the Écrins barrier, Mont Aiguille, etc. For your information, on your right, there is a very steep uphill path that leads to the Col des Deux Sœurs (Agathe and Sophie).
The return journey follows the same path
(5). Turn left towards the west and take the very winding downhill path, ignoring the one that continues north and which you took on the way up.
A little further down, the path levels out and you will see a sign on your left, about 3 metres away, between two rocks: La Grande Combe, Alt. 1790 m, Cable car at 2000 m 25 mins, 1.6 km. Follow the Grande Combe trail marked in yellow and green on the ground, heading west at the start and then north, which joins a wide farm track.
(7) Continue straight ahead and at the next fork, take the path on the left, which will take you past the first Cote 2000 ski lifts. The path downhill may seem easier, but it leads nowhere and requires you to cross a somewhat precarious rocky outcrop.
Reach the arrival point of the Cote 2000 cable cars.
(8) Descend to the right towards the east on the wide logging road. This road will turn north, still descending, to reach the artificial lake. Go around it on the left and continue descending on the same wide logging road.
(9) Continue right towards the north at the signpost: Sous le lac, altitude 1495 m, direction: Parking des Clots 40 min 2.2 km. Pass under a chairlift line and continue for about 50 metres.
(10) Leave the wide track and take the almost flat path on the right, heading north-east. Orange ski signs: Glovettes sector. Yellow hiking sign: Parking des Clots, 25 min and 1.6 km.
The path merges with a north-facing downhill run.
(11) A slight tricky point: ignore all signs and continue straight ahead on the wide, flat path heading north. This will take you back via the shortest route along the Retour Village slope: no signs, no indications. In particular, avoid the direction: Les Clots (in white on a green background) as this is the name of a ski slope that ends far from the starting car park. Continue for about 300 m to reach the place called L'Aversin.
Continue straight ahead towards Les Clots, 10 mins, 0.7 km. Avoid the easy Les Glovettes trail, which will take you away from the starting car park. Also avoid the Retour Village trail opposite, on the far right.
Pass between the two on a downhill path, paved with stones at the bottom, facing north, which is located 50 m after the signpost. It descends with the forest on your left and alpine meadows on your right.
This will take you to the Clots car park (S/E).
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