Roc Cornafion from Prélenfrey, via the Col Vert

Park at the last hairpin bend on the Bordeaux to Prélenfrey road.

(S/E) Take the forest track heading north until you reach the point where it begins to descend.

(1) Turn left onto a path that climbs steeply. Join the Chemin du Balcon Est, heading towards the Col Vert hut.

(2) Continue left to reach Col Vert.

(3) Take the path heading north. Caution here: this path is tricky; it is narrow, winding in places, steep and often overhangs either rocky outcrops or very steep slopes where a slip would be very difficult to stop. Pay close attention to the markings; some tracks may lead you into dead ends. Follow this path to the old wooden signpost indicating Cornafion.

(4) Follow it until you reach a gully, just below the ridge. Climb up this gully to reach the secondary summit of Cornafion. Descend between the two summits – a tricky section – and reach the true summit of Cornafion.

(5). Return to the junction with the signpost.

(4) Turn left onto the track to avoid having to climb back up to the Col Vert. This will take you to the Baraque du Col Vert.

(2). Follow the route taken on the way out in the opposite direction to return to the RF des Bordeaux car park (S/E).

It took me 5 hours 30 minutes in total: 1 hour 10 minutes to Col Vert, 3 hours to the summit of Cornafion. A rope of around 30 metres may be useful for the descent from the summit. Tied around a boulder at the summit, it will allow you to descend safely. This route is rarely used, yet a helmet may also prove useful. If there are people above you, the risk of falling rocks is not insignificant.

Take a camera with you – the view is magnificent. From the Chartreuse to the north, the Vercors plateau, La Grande Moucherolles and Mont Aiguille to the south, the Dévoluy, the Écrins, Belledonne and Mont Blanc. A 360° view. There is also a bird’s-eye view of Saint-Paul de Varces, Varces and a large part of Grenoble.