Passeur de la Mintaz and Brèche de Parozan

Access via Albertville, Beaufort, at the Col de Meraillet turn right towards the Roselend dam, then head towards the Col du Pré. On the climb, turn left at a hairpin bend and follow the track to the Treicol car park.

(S/E) From the car park, head south towards Lac d'Amour via the track and then the shortcuts. Take the track a little higher up and, a few dozen metres after the junction with a track coming from the left, take a path on the left, still heading south towards Lac d'Amour (superb scenery).

(1) Climb left towards the bivouac area, cross the plateau and take the path that leads to the Passeur de la Mintaz. When you reach the ridge, there is a beautiful view of Lac de Roselend and the northern part of the massif. La Pierra Menta is very close by. Just below the pass, have fun climbing a few easy rocks to reach the Passeur rather than following the path to the left.

(2) Look for the easy path, after a steep descent, which passes close to Col Bresson. It leads to the Presset refuge perched on its promontory.

(3) At the end of the lake, take the steep climb up to the Col du Grand Fond. A finger raised in our honour points upwards to the left.

(4) At the pass, climb a few dozen metres to the right, following the trail that ascends to reach a plateau (beautiful view of the Brèche de Parozan).

(4) Leave the pass and the^{GRP®® trail} that heads left, and take the trail opposite, which quickly turns north for a traverse towards the Brèche de Parozan.

(5) The breach is monumental and impressive. Here you will find the view of Roselend again. The descent trail is on the other side of the breach to the west. Be careful, it is very steep and made of slippery stones and gravel.

(6) At 2,350 m, the slope levels out. Start heading right, towards the north-west, looking for the level tracks left by cows further ahead. These will take you to the ruins of the Chalets de Parozan. Choose the best track to avoid having to climb back up.

(7) At the chalets, continue on the same track to the north-west, then the slope becomes steeper until you reach a grassy ridge.

(8) Take the faint trail on the left. It follows a fence that you will cross several times. Here you will find blueberries in abundance, ripe at the end of August. Head for the clearly visible track and chalet below. This is the track (^GR®®5) back to the car park.

(9) Turn left onto this track and after a few hairpin bends, leave the^GR®® and turn right heading due west to take the route back to the Treicol car park (S/E).

A path that branches off to the right above Lake Presset is marked on the IGN map and leads to the statue of Vulcan. From the Col du Grand Fond, a footpath does the same.

Be sure to visit the Cormet de Roselend after your hike, then come back for a nice beer just below the Col du Pré, where you will have a good view of most of your route.

You can return to Beaufort by descending to Arêches from the Col du Pré, but don't forget to stop for a few minutes at the pretty chalet village of Boudin.