Selle du Puy Gris via the Gleyzin and Grande Valloire valleys

See the practical information for the car park and ⚠️read the warnings regarding the difficulty and the equipment you’ll need to bring.

Park in the car park below the Embarolin, on the forest track leading from Grand Thiervoz.

(S/E) Head back down to the car park entrance and turn left onto a track that climbs the steep slope through the forest to the north-east, winding its way up in numerous hairpin bends. The markings are yellow and those of^{the GR®®} (red and white). At the Embarolin signpost, continue the climb along a forest track, still heading north-east. When you reach a clearing, a path branches off the forest track (small cairn) and runs alongside the first chalet in Petite Valloire.

(1) The path continues winding through the forest and veers eastwards to reach the Fouetterie chalet (unmanned but very well maintained).

(2) Walk past the chalet to reach a junction where a sign points towards Lac Léat to the north (left).

(3) Pass the Second Tigneux Chalet. Follow this direction to join the^GR®® Tour du Pays d’Allevard and continue along it, heading north and then north-west, descending slightly.

(4) At Crêt du Tambour (signpost), follow the direction indicated for Lac Léat, visible below to the north-east. You will then reach the lake and the Chalet du Léat (unmanned chalet, in perfect condition).

(5) Near the chalet is a signpost. Do not follow the^GR®® but take the path that heads up the grassy ridge to the north-east and climbs up the bottom of the valley towards the ridge overlooking the lake to the north. Reach the ridge and turn left (north-west) to descend towards a cross that you will soon spot.

(6) At the Croix du Léat viewpoint, turn back after admiring the valley and head off towards the Pierre du Pin (south-east) and then the Refuge de l’Oule. The path follows a long traverse along the hillside towards the east and is not always very well marked (note that the IGN map is incorrect in several places, but the OpenStreetMap Rando map is accurate). You will eventually reach a flat area and a junction where a sign points to the Refuge de l’Oule on the right.

(7) Follow the path which climbs up the left bank of the Gleyzin towards the refuge, initially heading south-east, then winding its way north-east. Pass the refuge and continue south on the path marked with fluorescent orange dots until you come to steeper cliffs. The path then veers left to bypass the obstacle (south-east then south) and the markings disappear. After a steep climb, you’ll reach a flat area amongst the scree.

(8) From this flat area, the path is very difficult to follow and only a few cairns indicate the direction to take. Cross the flat area heading south-east, aiming for a gully surrounded by rocky spurs at its base and blocked by a moraine at its upper end. Climb straight up the slope, still heading south-east within this gully, keeping to the right of the spurs, until you reach the moraine barrier blocking the gully.

(9) Climb onto the crest of the moraine barrier without descending to the other side (see orientation photo). Once on the ridge of the moraine, continue up it towards the south-west, trying to stay as close as possible to the ridge and favouring its western flank. When you reach the base of the Col de Comberousse, return to the valley floor to reach the pass by climbing due south.

(10) At the pass (also known as the Col du Grand Glacier), look out for the Selle du Puy Gris, a steep ice couloir to the right of the north face of the Puy Gris (see location photo). Head south-west towards the Col de la Valloire, but veer off the slope just before reaching it to descend to the foot of the couloir. Put on your crampons and take out your ice axe to climb the rest of the glacier up to the pass. Alternatively, skirt the rocks by climbing between them and the ice lip (watch out for rockfalls).

(11) From the Selle du Puy Gris, you may wish to climb to the summit (see variations below), then retrace your steps to descend the ice couloir and climb back up to the Col de la Valloire on the left.

(12) From the Col de la Valloire, follow the edge of the scree at the foot of the rocks towards the Lac Noir ridge to the south-south-west, aiming for a gap in the ridge from which you can see the landscape to the east towards the Cime du Sambuis and the Aiguilles de l’Argentière; see the reference photo.
Then descend through the scree to the west until you reach the bottom of the valley and what remains of the Valloire glacier. Continue down to the bottom of the valley, following the numerous cairns, until you reach Lac Noir and the well-marked path.

(13) At Lac Noir, find your footing and descend along the main path heading towards Lac Blanc, which is clearly visible (south-west).

(14) Just as this path turns right (north-west) to avoid crossing a torrent, leave the path to cross the torrent to the south-west (flat section) and thus go round Lac Blanc along its southern shore.
Continue due west, following the view, to climb the easy, grassy scree that forms the barrier around Lac de la Folle.

(15) After exploring Lac de la Folle, return via the clearly visible path that descends due east towards the northern end of Lac Blanc. Once you reach the lake’s outlet, cross it and turn left (north-west) to rejoin the main path, which descends west-north-west towards the first chalet at Grande Valloire.

(16) Do not go as far as the footbridge beneath the chalet; instead, head up to the right (north) towards the chalet to pass over it and rejoin the^GR®® de Tour du Pays d’Allevard heading north.
As you come within sight of the Fouetterie chalet, veer left to reach the junction leading to it, then head due west down to the chalet.

(2) From the Fouetterie chalet, retrace your steps along the ascent route until you reach the car park (S/E).

Difficulties and equipment:
The main difficulty lies in the distance (over 18 km) and the elevation gain (over 2,000 m), but the final 30 metres leading to the Selle du Puy Gris (11) are also very challenging as ice is present all year round. In all seasons, you should therefore bring crampons and ice axes, which may also be useful on the ascent to the Col de Comberousse (10). It is advisable to wear a helmet on these final metres.

If you choose to climb to the summit of Puy Gris, the difficulty increases to extremely difficult, mainly due to the exposure (the climb is rated just grade 3).

⚠️ Finding the route can sometimes be tricky, and the IGN map is particularly inaccurate or incomplete between (6) and (13); use the Visorando app with my track or the OpenStreetMap Rando version to find the paths.

Water:
Water is fairly plentiful, but a filter is required.

Dogs:
Dogs are allowed in the mountain range, but the length of the hike may tire them out; furthermore, they will not be able to cross the final few metres before the Selle du Puy Gris (but they can stay below while you make the round trip).

Car park:
As you head up towards the Fond de France, leave the main road (D525a) and turn left into the hamlet of Grand Thiervoz, taking a steep tarmac track which becomes a track suitable for vehicles for 100 metres before turning back into tarmac. When you reach a T-junction, turn left and follow the tarmac road uphill. This turns into a track again and has three hairpin bends before heading due south. Continue to the end of the track, at IGN elevation 1326m (there is space for around ten vehicles).

Staying in a mountain hut:
You can make the hike easier by staying overnight in one of the chalets or refuges along the route. Those at La Fouetterie (2) and Léat (5) are unstaffed but comfortable and very well maintained; they can accommodate small groups. You must, of course, leave them in good condition before setting off. Staying overnight at Lac Léat shortens the second day’s walk by 4 km (just under 2 hours).
The Oule refuge is staffed during the season and is undoubtedly the most appealing option: on the one hand, the climb to the refuge takes place at the end of the day, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful light at sunset; on the other hand, the ascent to the Col de Comberousse takes place in the morning sun, also offering beautiful light.

Alternatives and the summit of Puy Gris:
It is possible to avoid climbing to the Selle du Puy Gris (particularly if you have forgotten your crampons, helmet and ice axe). In this case, head directly to the Col de la Valloire (12) from the Col de Comberousse (10). If you do this, be sure to pass through the gap in the Lac Noir ridge to admire the view along the route (12).

The summit of Puy Gris, meanwhile, is a magnificent alternative route, offering a unique vantage point. A few cairns mark the route and the climb is easy, but the terrain is exposed (airy).
⚠ Climbing Puy Gris raises the difficulty rating of this hike to ‘extremely difficult’.

To climb to the summit from the Selle du Puy Gris, look for the start point marked in blue on the ridge. Follow the ridge line, bypassing the first ledge by descending the south face (on the right as you ascend) before climbing back up onto the ridge.

Continue along the ridge, bypassing the ledges as best you can and avoiding the difficult sections (if it looks tricky, it’s usually easier on the other side). The small rust-coloured pillar blocking the ridge halfway up can also be bypassed via the south face (even if this looks more difficult): you’ll come to a dead end at a small, completely vertical step; cross this using excellent holds and emerge top right onto a ledge with plenty of holds.

Continue along the ridge, which is now easy (boulders) and gradually narrows until you reach the summit. The descent follows the same route.