Starting point and access:
From Vacheresse, follow the road towards Bise/Ubine then Bise. Traffic is prohibited shortly before the Bise chalets: park in the car park on the side of the road.
Where it exists, the signage is sparse. Directional signs are posted at major intersections.
Without markings
(S/E) Continue along the road towards the chalets and cross the old car park.
Red and white markings
(2) Near a concrete bridge over a river, a sign indicates the Col de Bise at 1 hour 25 minutes (generous estimate). Follow the direction indicated: do not cross the river, but take a wide path that goes around a small promontory on the right. You will arrive at a flat area where you must cross a stream.
(2) At the fork, take the path on the right, which climbs directly up through the pastures towards Col de Bise. The climb becomes steep and the path winds several times. Go around a hill covered with spruce trees on the right (elevation 1757). The pass is now clearly visible to the north. The path continues northwards and, after a few short, steep hairpin bends, reaches the Col de Bise.
No markings
N.B. From Col de Bise to Dent du Velan, the path is mostly on the ridge line, or slightly below. The route is exposed but safe and requires a minimum of attention.
(3) At the pass, follow a trail that heads southwest towards the Col d'Ugeon. Climb up and quickly reach the Tête de Charousse, the western peak of the ridge.
(4) Descend on the other side and then climb back up. Continue along the ridge to its eastern summit, which is unnamed on IGN maps (elevation 2,091 metres). The trail then descends to the base of the Dent du Velan, a small, distinctive limestone tower.
(5) Go around Dent du Velan on the right (southeast). You will reach the top of a small rocky couloir, which you must enter: the descent requires using your hands for support (good handholds). At the bottom of this couloir, do not take the stony path that descends to the right, but climb back up a few metres over the scree, again using your hands for support. This leads to a path that continues along the ridge. You will soon come to a fork: on the left, a faint path climbs up the ridge; on the right, a well-marked path leads down the hillside. Take the path on the right, which is pleasant to walk along and quickly leads to the Col d'Ugeon.
(6) Then follow the path heading south-west towards the Chalets de Bise. The descent begins with a moderate slope. Pass a pond on your right, then follow a stream on your right (Ruisseau de Bise on the IGN map). The slope becomes steeper and the path winds several times before reaching a flat area (post with yellow arrows). Pass a pond on the left and arrive at the edge of a large clearing with spruce trees.
(7) Walk along the clearing on your right and squeeze through the shrubs. Once you leave this area, the Chalets de Bise are clearly visible. The path then descends more steeply through the pastures. As you approach the chalets, cross a stream coming from the left (sign with yellow arrows). Then quickly reach the first chalets, pass the refuge and cross the river.
(2) Cross the old car park and continue along the road to the starting point (S/E).