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(S) From the Lacs Merlets refuge, head back down to the previous day’s junction.
(1) Take the path on the left which climbs and then descends to a first junction.
(2) Continue to the right, passing the Grand Plan refuge (closed and undergoing restoration at the time of our visit). Descend along a wide track to a junction.
(3) Take the wide track on the left for about 200m, then cut across to the right to the Chalet de la Grande Val farm, where Beaufort cheese is produced.
(4) At the farm, take the track on the right which climbs towards the Col des Saulces without leaving the wide path. You will pass successively by the Cave de la Petite Val, the Petit Mont Blanc chalet and Lac Blanc before reaching the pass.
(5) Beautiful view of the Petit Mont Blanc and the Grande Casse in the background. At the pass, take the path on the right which climbs to the summit of the Petit Mont Blanc. Continue along this path until you reach a junction.
(6) Turn left and begin this very difficult climb. The viewpoint at the top offers a 360° panorama. There is an orientation table. At the summit, the view is magnificent, with a panorama of the Grande Casse, which towers at 4,000m, Mont Pelve, and the great Vanoise glacier. Beautiful waterfalls and torrents are visible opposite the Petit Mont Blanc.
(7) The Petit Mont Blanc owes its name to the white rock, gypsum, of which it is composed. Head south-west along the path that descends towards the Col du Mône. Please note that the descent is very technical, with a steep slope and unstable terrain.
(8) At the pass, turn left and begin the long and very strenuous descent of nearly 900m in elevation loss. After the first section, you’ll reach a junction at elevation 2438.
(9) Turn right and continue along the ridge path to another junction.
(10) Turn left and follow the path to Les Prioux. Back to civilisation.
(11) Turn right to cross the hamlet. Cross the bridge over the Doron de Chaviére, then follow the A-road to the right for a good hundred metres.
(12) Cross the road and take the path that climbs steeply to the left.
(13) Turn left to cross the Stream des Nants, ignoring the path that branches off to the right. Continue to the Chalet des Nants, an old stone building.
(14) Take the path climbing up to the left. The final few kilometres to the Refuge de la Valette are difficult. This balcony-like path offers a fabulous view of the Petit Mont Blanc, the valley leading down to Pralognan and the beautiful Vanoise glacier. Continue to the refuge (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Difficult 
