Petit Som and Grand Som as seen from Les Riondettes

Head back to the village of La Ruchère, pass the cross-country ski centre and continue to the end of the tarmac road leading to the large Riondettes car park.

(S/E) Head east along the path that passes through the Pré de la Morte. Continue north, then north-east, ignoring the side trails.

(1) At the junction, turn right towards the Col de la Ruchère, following the red and yellow markings. At the next junction, turn left. Then turn right (south-southeast) and follow the winding path uphill. Head south then southeast, ignoring the paths branching off to the left, until you reach the Col de la Ruchère.

(2) Continue eastwards, winding through the mountain pasture, until you reach another junction.

(3) Take the left-hand path up the steep slope (the path on the right will be the one you take on the return journey). After some narrow, steep sections and a final large hairpin bend to the left, you’ll reach the Petit Som.

(4) Descend east-southeast then east to reach the Col de Lechaud.

(5) Continue east-south-east along an ascending path. Then descend south-south-east.

(6) At the fork, head down to the left (east) to the Col de Bovinant.

(7) From the pass, continue south and follow the markings which climb up the opposite slope towards the Grand Som ridge. Cross over to the eastern slope and follow the path due south up to the summit. As with the Petit Som, there is a section through a narrow, very steep gully.

(8) Return to the Col de Bovinant via the same route.

(7) Descend south-west and pass the Habert de Bovinant.

(9) Descend via switchbacks, still heading south-west.

(10) At a junction, turn right towards the Pas du Loup. The path narrows and is marked only by an old wooden sign. Cross a scree slope, follow the signs for the Col de la Ruchère and reach the Pas du Loup.

(11) Carry on straight ahead, north-west, to reach the pasture.

(3) Descend in switchbacks, heading west, and return to the Col de la Ruchère.

(2) Head towards the Col d’Arpison (south-west). Descend through the meadows of the Col and La Folie. Reach the Habert de Billon, where there is a fine view of the Petit Som and the Grand Som.

(12) Continue south, passing the two buildings, and follow the yellow markings. Head south-west, then turn north.

(13) Leave the main track branching off to the right and take a steep, narrow path through a lovely forest. The path skirts an alpine pasture before turning left to reach the Col d’Arpison.

(14) Continue north-north-west and cross the Arpison meadow.

(14) Here, describe the directions from the waypoint.

(15) Head down to the right along a wide track (north-north-east). At a junction, continue north. Continue down this way to the car park (S/E).

On both the Petit Som and the Grand Som, the slope is sometimes steep with tricky and slippery sections. Also, be careful not to dislodge any stones… they can roll away quickly

For those who are still feeling fit, on the way back from point (15), you can visit the Arpison viewpoint

You may well come across some monks from the abbey… to keep up with them, you’d better be in good physical shape…