Start from the large Sciard mountain chalet, which is located just outside a hairpin bend to the left (when ascending) on the narrow, steep Buchille forest road. This road begins in the hamlet of Les Bossons, just before the village of Bellevaux when approaching from Thonon-les-Bains via the D26. Park at the side of the road or at the edge of the track that starts here, taking care not to obstruct traffic.
Signposts are located at the main junctions (though not all of them) as well as at the summit of Pointe d’Ireuse.
No signposting
(S/E) A sign points to Pointe d’Ireuse if you continue along the forest road, but this is not the route suggested here. Head east and take the stony track closed to traffic towards Le Viret. You’ll soon enter the forest and climb steadily.
(1) At a clearing (signpost surrounded by tall grass), continue straight ahead on the track (ignore the path climbing to the left; this will be the return route). Descend for approximately 400m in a straight line.
Yellow markings (arrows and broad dashes)
(2) At the boundary between forest plots nos. 8 and 9 (a wooden sign high up with nothing written on it), take the path opposite which starts at the foot of the tree marked no. 8 (let the track veer to the right).
(3) Shortly afterwards, turn left (clearly visible arrow on a tree). Climb steeply through the spruce trees. Then veer right (south-west) and follow a long, gently ascending traverse. The slope finally steepens and the path becomes rocky (section with a handrail). Follow a few hairpin bends, take a mountain pasture turnstile and reach the site of Nifflon d’en bas (chalets high up on the right).
(4) Then turn sharply left towards Nifflon d’en haut. Climb again through the forest. Pass through an alpine gate (close it behind you). Cross a small clearing and continue the climb through the forest.
(5) At a junction (not shown on the IGN map), pass a small shelter on your right and veer slightly left onto a grassy path (marker on the ground). Continue climbing gently, then, via a few switchbacks, reach the site of Nifflon d’en haut (chalets and a small chapel below on the right).
(6) Then turn left towards the Pointe d’Ireuse, whose summit is visible to the north-northeast. Descend slightly, then climb again along a well-marked path where the rock outcrops. Cross a grassy area then turn right to follow the edge of a small valley. Then veer left and climb an unnamed small pass between two hillocks. From there, quickly reach the clearly visible summit opposite (cairn).
(7) Descend on the other side towards the Chalets de la Buchille. The slope is initially gentle but quickly becomes steep along the crest of a rounded ridge. After a short shaded section, continue descending, zigzagging between small rocks. You will reach a pass unnamed on the map, known locally as Golet de la Chaux.
No markings
(8) Turn left and descend a small valley along a faint path overgrown with grass. Enter the forest where the path is better marked but the slope steeper. Follow a few hairpin bends and watch out for the sheer drops on the right (view of the Chalets de La Buchille). Reach a junction at a place called Crève-Coeur.
(9) Then head left towards Le Sciard along a poorly marked path (not shown on the IGN map). After a few gentle bends, make a long descending traverse to the south-west, initially on a slight incline along a narrow path bordered by grass, then on a steeper slope along a wider track. Take a hairpin bend to the right along this track and arrive at a junction you passed on the way up.
(1) Then follow the stony track to the right and descend easily to Le Sciard (S/E).