: some sections are considered very difficult; see reviews
Country:
District:
Start from the Super Collet car park (at the top of the Collet d'Allevard resort).
(S/E) From the car park, take the main track that runs alongside the Plagnes chairlift. Continue along this track, which soon moves away from the chairlift, to the Col de l’Occiput.
(1) At the pass, the track turns right: continue along it towards Les Plagnes. When you reach Les Plagnes, do not take the first track on the left which leads to the chairlift terminus. Take the second track on the left which joins the ridge where there is a signpost.
(2) A path runs along the entire length of the ridge: follow it until you descend to the Col de Claran.
(3) At the pass, continue straight on along an unmarked but clearly visible path that follows the ridge line. Shortly afterwards, you will reach a three-way junction: one path veers left along the ridge, whilst another leaves the ridge and continues straight on down the mountainside.
(4) Take the left-hand path which climbs up the ridge to reach the Petit Charnier.
(5) From the summit of the Petit Charnier, there is a section where the path is poorly marked or even absent. Make sure you spot the path to the Grand Charnier: it is visible below, until it meets a ridge of the Grand Charnier. This point serves as an easy landmark for finding your way in the off-trail section.
Continue to follow the ridge line until you descend to the Col du Gollet.
Caution: some slightly tricky sections require the use of your hands.
(6) The pass consists of a scree slope: descend it to the right (west) for a few metres, then veer left (south-west) and walk off-trail along the mountainside towards the landmark identified earlier (the base of the Grand Charnier ridge). Staying roughly level (as far as the terrain allows), you’ll reach the Grand Charnier path just below the ridge or a few metres before it.
(7) Then begin the ascent of the Grand Charnier, which is very steep but always follows a well-marked path. There are only a few rocky sections where the path is not visible; you must therefore be careful and spot where it resumes after the rocks.
(8) At the summit of the Grand Charnier, enjoy the view! Then descend via the same route to the previous junction at the foot of the ridge where the very steep ascent begins.
(7) On the return journey, do not go back via the Petit Charnier: simply follow the path, which rejoins the outward route at the junction before the Col de Claran.
(4) Continue straight on to the Col de Claran.
(3) At the pass, do not climb back up the ridge but take a slightly descending path to the left towards the Pierre du Carré refuge (signposted). Turn left at the first junction, still heading towards the refuge, until you reach another junction just above the refuge.
(9) Turn right towards Super Collet. Continue along this path until it crosses a ridge line: at this point you can see the resort’s chairlifts again, and the path becomes a wider track that branches off to the right.
(10) Do not take the main piste: continue straight on along a path that follows the ridge line. Follow this path to the end. When it emerges from the forest, turn right to return to the starting point (S/E) via the resort’s main pistes.
Visorando member
Easy 
Moderate 
Very difficult 
