Pointe de Lens and Pointe des Lanches in a circular from Lac des Plagnes

Departure from the car park above Lac des Plagnes, at the end of the road from Abondance.

Directional signs at major intersections.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the mountain track heading south, continuing along the road.

(1) At the first crossroads, turn left towards the Chalets de Lens. Follow the alpine track for a long way, which has hairpin bends in places, and ignore all the paths branching off to the sides.

(2) At a fork, turn right towards the Chalets de Lens. After two hairpin bends, first to the right and then to the left, you will reach the chalets.

(3) Then turn left, pass between two chalets and take an alpine track towards Col de Bassachaux. Climb up the mountainside to a crossroads.

(4) Take the first path on the right towards Col de Bassachaux (red and white GR®5 markings). Climb southwards through alpine pastures where shrubbery (alders) has taken root.

(5) Cross the pass road and pass between a restaurant on the left and a small car park on the right. Then make a hairpin turn to the right (leaving the GR® trail on the left) and reach the pass (car park).

(6) Take the second path on the left towards Pointe de Lens. Climb and keep heading north-west to the summit.

(7) Turn left (west) and descend slightly. Follow the Arête des Fours ridge, taking care to avoid the peaks on the right, and reach Pointe des Lanches.

(8) Descend on the other side and quickly reach the Col de l'Aup Couti.

(9) Turn right (north) towards the Refuge des Tinderets and descend steeply. Ignore a trail on the right and continue the descent heading north-northeast.

(10) At an intersection, turn left towards the Refuge des Tinderets. Go around a rocky outcrop on the right and continue the descent in a shaded area. This will take you to the Refuge des Tinderets.

(11) Turn left and descend towards Les Plagnes.

(12) At the "Les Tinderets" signpost, keep right towards Les Plagnes. Ignore a vague trailhead on the right and continue downhill. The trail soon turns north and winds down to an alpine track.

(13) At the "Altitude 1336 m" signpost, follow the track to the right, downhill, and pass between some very large boulders. Pass the Cubourré chalet and you will soon reach a discreet intersection.

(14) There are two options here:
- Continue straight ahead on the track, pass the crossroads (1) and go directly to the starting car park.
- As marked on the map, leave the mountain track and turn left onto a path starting at the foot of the signposts, heading towards Lac des Plagnes (car park) via the lake. Leave the grassy path that leads to a dead end opposite and turn left towards the top of a waterfall on the left. Follow a few switchbacks through the woods, return to the edge of the waterfall and continue along the switchbacks. At the bottom of the waterfall, take a footbridge and follow a path that descends along the hillside.

(15) You will come out onto a wider path (signposted "Tour du Lac des Plagnes") and follow it to the left to quickly reach the lake shore. Continue north along the lake on your right. Turn right onto the dyke. At the end of the dyke, continue straight ahead, go through a red and white barrier for motor vehicles and join the access road to the lake. Turn right to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Hiking boots required.

Water source at Chalets de Lens (3); bring your own supplies nonetheless. Drinks and food available at Refuge des Tinderets (11).

Detailed map required (at least the one accompanying this description).

- Lac des Plagnes (S/E) and (15).
- Beautiful views of the Arête des Fours between (8) and (9).