Crossing the Grande Lance de Domène

By car: from the centre of Revel 38, following the signs for Freydières, take the D11 then the D280 and the D280d. Once you reach Les Granges de Freydières, pass in front of the bar-restaurant La Gélinote. Continue straight on along the small road opposite for 1.5 km. At the Quatre Chemins car park (alt. 1290 m), continue along the road to the left which, after 100 m, becomes a dirt track rutted with deep ruts and potholes, but is still passable by car. At the end of this, you’ll find the Pré Raymond car park. Alternatively, park at the first car park at Les Quatre Chemins (alt. 1,370 m), which adds 1 km to the distance and 80 m of elevation gain to the hike.

(S/E) From the Pré Raymond car park, at the signpost, take the path uphill (south-southeast) through the forest towards Lac du Crozet and the Refuge de La Pra. After 1.5 km, following a bend to the left and then to the right, you’ll reach a junction.

(1) At the signpost, leave the Pré Molard path to your left (east) and continue climbing straight ahead (south then south-east). After numerous hairpin bends, the path levels out almost completely, emerges from the forest and crosses a scree slope. Climb two long diagonal traverses to reach a small plateau. The path resumes its ascent and crosses the Ruisseau de Mercier (east). Shortly after a sharp bend to the right, it turns south-east to climb the ridge of Lac du Crozet and reach another junction overlooking the lake.

(2) From the junction sign, follow the eastern shore of the lake towards the Col and Refuge de La Pra (south) for about 300 m.

(3) At the signpost, follow the GR®738, still heading towards the Col and Refuge de La Pra (south-east), and ignore the eastern branch which climbs a scree cone to the left. The path continues to climb, still following the lake’s shore; then, as the slope levels out, it progresses along the Mercier valley floor. Cross the stream of the same name via a footbridge and climb the switchbacks to reach the Col de La Pra (2167 m).

(4) At the signpost on the pass, follow the marked path (yellow) to the left towards the Doménon Lakes (north-east). The path crosses a small pass and then climbs gently up the grassy valley of the Ruisseau du Doménon. After following the stream and admiring the waterfalls at the spillway of Lac du Petit Doménon, head off to the left towards a scree slope backed by a rock face.

(5) To cross the lake’s narrow pass through a maze of rocks, it is advisable to keep a close eye on the markings and cairns. The path enters this scree slope between large boulders. It continues, winding its way through the boulders, turns south and passes through a hollow between two rock faces. Climb a scree slope (eastwards) via a few switchbacks to approach the cliff face, then follow it (southwards) whilst crossing rocky escarpments. After an exposed, airy section, reach the spillway of Lac du Petit Doménon.

(6) Just before the lake, leave the path running alongside it and turn left (north) onto the track marked by a large cairn and a yellow arrow on a prominent rock (alt. 2,370 m). Climb up a scree slope in a couloir flanked by small rock faces (north-east), following a well-trodden track marked by very prominent signposting and numerous cairns. At around (alt. 2,570 m), the path turns right (east).

(7) Exit the gully via a gap, then on a slight plateau (Alt 2600 m) the path makes a wide bend to the right, from north-west to north-east, before resuming (north) up the full slope (Alt 2650 m). It continues (north-east) up a diagonal slope (alt. 2680 m) before reaching the summit after skirting it via scree.

(8) From the summit of the Grande Lance de Domène (elevation 2,790 m), the descent is down the eastern slope along a track winding through slate slabs (east). Continue for approximately 200 m.

(9) At an altitude of around 2,700 m, leave the trail, which fades away, and head south-east, moving closer to the rock face on the right where there is a path marked by a few cairns. Follow it until you reach a rocky ridge. Keep to the left along the top of the ridge heading north-east to find a weak spot shaped like steps. Cross it by zigzagging across the rocky steps. Descend a scree slope (south) then follow the foot of the eastern shoulder of the Grande Lance de Domène. On a gentler slope, follow the right bank of a stream to reach a path.

(10) At the junction (Alt 2400 m), turn right onto the marked path (yellow) which runs alongside Lac du Grand Doménon (south-west). Follow the northern shore of the lake and, after a short rocky section, continue along the shore of Lac du Petit Doménon to rejoin the outward route at the spillway of Lac du Petit Doménon.

(6) The return journey follows the same path in the opposite direction back to the car park (S/E).

Route map.

• From point (S) to point (6). Standard signposting.
• From point (6) to point (8). The well-marked trail is regularly indicated by paint markings.
• From point (8) to point (10). Follow the map, using the occasional cairn and faint tracks as guides. Crossing a small rocky ridge (north-south) is made easier by making use of certain stepped sections.

* From point (10) to point (E). Standard signposting.

IBP 154: Very difficult for an average hiker – Moderate/Difficult for a hiker in excellent physical condition.

From the summit, you’ll enjoy a superb 360° panorama of the peaks and lakes of Belledonne, as well as the neighbouring massifs of Mont Blanc, Grande Rousses, Ecrins, Taillefer, Vercors and Chartreuse.
A few metres from the summit, in a small basin, there is a platform equipped for pitching a tent or setting up a bivouac; on the rock face, an enthusiast has spent several years writing or carving cute little chickens.