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Departure from Champel, a hamlet reached by a steep mountain road (between Saint-Gervais and Les Contamines). The car park is 100m below the village
(S). Climb to the top of the village following the road, then turn left towards Bionnassay. The route follows a wide track that supports theGR®5andGR® Tour du Mont Blanc (red and white markings). It enters the valley of the Bionnassay torrent without really gaining altitude.
(1) At the Chalet du Chalère, leave the track and take a path on the right, which is wide at first, towards the Col du Tricot. A little further on, leave the path that leads to the Bionnassay torrent on your left and continue towards the Col du Tricot on a path that becomes steeper and climbs into the forest. The trail approaches a rocky outcrop and passes at the foot of a waterfall. Cross this steep rocky area using metal steps (handrails were not present when we passed through).
(2) Leave the path that heads towards the Glacier de Bionnassay and the Col de Voza on your left and take the Tour du Mont Blanc variant on the right, which you will join at this point. After a final steep section, the trail leaves the forest (you can see the Tête Rousse and Aiguille du Goûter refuges just below, as well as the Bionnassay Glacier).
The slope becomes less steep. Walk along the Tricot valley in the middle of rhododendrons until you reach the Col du Tricot, near some ruins.
(3) Continue south-west to reach the Miage chalets, which can be seen from the pass, after a steep 45-minute descent. It is not necessary (but recommended) to go to the hamlet (5 minutes away).
(4) Here, join theGRP® Tour du Mont Blanc trail, turn right, skirt around the side of Mont Vorassay at the start, before descending further as the trail enters the forest.
(5) At Le Tranchet, leave the path that descends towards La Gruvaz opposite you and turn right towards Champel and the car park at the starting point.
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