Pointe Noire de Pormenaz from Plaine Joux

The route starts from the large car park at Plaine Joux (Passy).

(S/E) Head due east towards Lac Vert. Quite soon, at a barrier, continue left along a footpath, then take the track almost opposite, heading uphill.

(1) Before the Blaireau ski lift line, take a path on the left (leaving the track). Follow the path towards the Chalet de Barmus through woodland. Cross a track and continue on the path opposite. Go straight on until you rejoin the track.

(2) Cut across the track and take the path opposite (still heading towards the Chalet de Barmus). The path (which is not shown on the map) winds its way uphill through mainly wooded countryside. You will reach the Chalet de Barmus and rejoin the track.

(3) Follow the track to the right (east) towards Ayères. Pass under a ski lift.

(4) Join another track at a place called Les Mollays and follow it to the left as far as Ayères des Rocs.

(5) Continue straight on along the track heading north-east. Pass through the hamlet of Ayères des Pierrières. On leaving the hamlet, at a junction, turn right and stay on the track towards the Chalets de Souay.

(6) At the T-junction, keep to the right, still heading towards the Chalets de Souay (slight descent).

(7) Shortly afterwards, turn right onto the track (ignore the paths on the left). This will take you to the Chalets de Souay.

(8) Follow the path to the left towards Lac de Pomenaz. Cross a stream, either by fording (left-hand route indicated by the line) or via a footbridge (right-hand route). Then climb some very steep slopes (one section equipped with chains).

(9) At the junction, continue right towards Lac de Pomenaz via La Chorde. The climb is tough, with steep sections equipped with ladders, chains and metal steps. Further up, the slope levels out as you reach Lac de Pomenaz.

(10) Then turn right and keep the lake on your left. At the Fork in the road that soon appears, take the left-hand path, heading due south. Pass a slab equipped with a chain (replacing a fixed rope). Continue along a flat section where the path is less distinct (follow the cairns, keep heading south).

(11) Join a path and follow it to the left. Climb in stages along a generally visible route, regularly marked in yellow. You’ll reach a relatively large clearing where an orientation table stands on the ground. Continue to the clearly visible summit (caution: exposed section).

(12) Retrace your steps along the same route.

(11) Continue straight on, following the yellow markings (this section is easier in this direction). You will soon come to another path; follow it to the right to Lake Pormenaz.

(10) Turn right towards the Moëde Anterne Refuge and walk along the lake on your right. Head north, leaving two small lakes on your left. Cross a stream and you will immediately reach a crossroads.

(13) Follow the path on the right (north-east). Ignore a path coming from the right and continue north. Pass Laouchet (a small lake) on your right and head straight on to the Moëde-Anterne Refuge.

(14) Continue north and immediately turn left onto the^GR®®5towards Ayères along the track. Shortly afterwards, at the^first junction, turn left and leave the^GR®® to follow the^GRP®® du Pays du Mont-Blanc.

(15) At the next junction, veer right (west; leave the^GRP®®). Join the^GRP®® again a little further on and continue south-west.

(16) At a fork in the road, take the path on the left. Further on, join a track and follow it as it continues (there is a curious little shepherd’s shelter protected by a large rock).

(17) Turn left towards Ayères via the Sentier Vuacheret. The path initially descends steeply. It then turns south-west and the gradient eases as it reaches a junction passed on the way out.

(7) Return to the track you took on the way out and follow it to the right (west) towards Ayères des Pierrères.

(6) At the T-junction, head slightly left and cross through Ayères des Pierrères. Continue to the hamlet of Ayères des Rocs.

(5) Take the path on the left towards Lac Vert and descend via a series of hairpin bends. Further down, join a track suitable for vehicles and follow it to the left.

(18) At the Refuge du Châtelet, continue to the right. At the Fork in the road that appears immediately, veer left (the path opposite is a dead end) onto the track, heading downhill.

(19) After a short while, you’ll come to a^first junction which you should ignore. At the^second junction, not far on, leave the track and take a path to the right. Shortly afterwards, you’ll be overlooking Lac Vert and skirting it to the north.

(20) After a short descent, follow a faint path to the left leading to the lakeside (no signposting). Retrace your steps.

(20) Continue along the main path to the left. Cross a road and continue straight on along the path opposite. At the following junctions, keep to the right. Join the road again and follow it to the left. Pass under the ski lift cables and continue straight on to the starting point (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.

Please take your rubbish away with you; nature will thank you for it.

Here is a description of the difficulties encountered by section (the route is not uniform):
- green: fairly easy walking with no significant elevation changes or difficulties
- blue: steeper slopes and/or greater elevation changes on a well-marked route
- orange: route presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor trail conditions (markings or visibility of the path).
- red: a difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment presenting some hazards.
- Black: a route on a fairly difficult trail and/or involving imminent dangers.
- White: routes in very challenging technical environments requiring specific equipment.

From (S/E) to: Blue difficulty
The route initially follows a wide, vehicle-accessible track
No signposts present.

From to (3): Blue difficulty
A rather pleasant path takes us along
There are a few signposts.

From (3) to (7): Green difficulty
Easy route on a wide track
A few signposts are present.

From (7) to (8): Blue difficulty
Follow a wide track
A few signposts present.

From (8) to (10): Red difficulty
The route follows a steep and, in places, exposed path featuring numerous aids (chains, ladders, metal steps).
There are a few signposts.

From (10) to (11): Orange difficulty
There is a short climbing section to be tackled with the aid of a chain (replacing a rope).
No signposting at the start, then yellow markings up to the fork. Cairns appear thereafter.

From (11) to (12): Blue difficulty
A pleasant path leads us to the summit.
Yellow markings

From (12) to (10): Blue difficulty
Almost the same route as on the way up
Yellow markings

From (10) to (14): Blue difficulty
The path is a bit uneven near the lake, but the rest of the route is fairly easy
A few signposts present.

From (14) to (15): Green difficulty
You follow a track suitable for vehicles, which is easy to navigate.
Signposts present, marked with white-red, then yellow-red

From (15) to (16): Blue difficulty
You follow a path and then a track
Signposts are present. Yellow-red markings

From (16) to (17): Blue difficulty
The route follows a relatively easy path.
Signposts are present. Yellow-red markings

From (16) to (17): Blue difficulty
You’ll be following a pleasant path.
Yellow-red markings

From (17) to (7): Blue difficulty
After a descent down a fairly steep slope, the path then continues in a pleasant manner
No signposts along the way, but finding your way is not a problem.

From (7) to (5): Green difficulty
The route follows easily along a track.
Signposts are present.

From (5) to (18): Blue difficulty
The route follows a footpath, then further down a track suitable for vehicles.
Signposts are provided.

From (5) to (18): Blue difficulty
Follow a track, then a path to go round the lake on the right (if you miss the turn-off, you can rejoin the route after going round the lake on the left, whilst being able to get closer to it via another access point).
Signposts are present. (Note: the path leading to the lakeside is not signposted)

From (18) to (S/E): Blue difficulty
You follow a good path and then finish on a stretch of road (no traffic)
Signposts are present.

Please note: most signposts, particularly on the higher ground, are removed during the ‘winter’ period (in the broadest sense)

Lac Vert (Passy): this has been a listed site since 1909.

The Pormenaz Massif: this is a small mountain range reaching an altitude of 2,323 metres at the Pointe Noire de Pormenaz.