Traversée du Pic du Grand Doménon

By car: from Revel, opposite the church, take the D11, then the D280 and the D280D, following the signs for Freydières all the way. Once you reach Les Granges de Freydières, drive past the La Gélinote bar and restaurant. Continue straight on along the small road opposite for 1.5 km. At the Quatre Chemins car park (alt. 1,290 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. At the end of this, you’ll find the Pré Raymond car park (La Pra mountain hut). 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 walk.

It is possible to complete the route over two days: see the ‘Practical Information’ section.

(S/E) From the Pré Raymond car park, at the signpost, take the path uphill (south-east) through the forest towards Lac du Crozet and the La Pra mountain refuge. After 1.5 km, you’ll reach a junction with a signpost.

(1) Leave the Pré Molard path on your left (east) and continue climbing straight ahead (south then south-east). After numerous hairpin bends, the path levels out almost completely, leaves the forest and crosses a scree slope. After a long diagonal ascent, you’ll reach a small plateau where you resume the climb (east) and cross the Ruisseau de Mercier. Shortly after a sharp bend to the right, the path turns south-east to climb the ridge of Lac du Crozet and reach another junction with a signpost.

(2) Follow the eastern shore of the lake towards the Col and Refuge de La Pra (south) for about 300 m.

(3) Follow the^GR®®738, still heading towards the Col and Refuge de La Pra, and ignore its eastern branch which climbs a scree cone to the left. The path continues to climb alongside the lake’s shore, then the gradient eases as it follows the bottom of the Mercier valley. Cross the stream of the same name via a footbridge and begin the series of hairpin bends leading to the Col de La Pra (2,167 m), marked by a sign.

(4) Turn right (south) onto the^GR®®738, which descends towards the refuge, and leave the Doménon Lakes path, which you will take on the return journey. After a descent alongside the Doménon stream, you will reach the La Pra refuge (alt. 2,120 m).

(5) Continue along the^GR®®738, which descends the slope of the terrace before heading south-east. Just after crossing the Doménon stream, you’ll come to a signpost.

(6) Leave the^GR®®738on your right and follow the path on your left towards Lac David. It climbs, first diagonally (south) and then (south-west), up the western slope of the Grande Lauzière. It then heads south-west again above Lac Claret before reaching a junction marked by a cairn (alt. 2,200 m).

(7) Leave the path on the right towards Lac David (south-west) and follow a track on the left, marked by a few red dots (south). Whilst overlooking Lac David, head towards a small pass. Photo: View of the lakes.

(8) Almost at the top of the small pass, take a path on the right which crosses a small rocky ridge. The path descends into a small valley, then winds its way up its right-hand flank just below the pass of this valley. At the pass, you’ll reach a junction marked by a cairn (alt. 2330 m).

(9) Ignore the path leading down opposite and continue left towards the east. Climb in a zigzag pattern up a north-eastern rocky ridge. After about 400 m, the path crosses a less steep grassy area.

(10) The path, marked by cairns, turns northwards and, along the ridge, offers views of Lakes Claret, Longet and Bernard. Climb towards a gap.

(11) Cross a grassy plateau then a scree slope from where you can see the trail on the southern flank of the Grande Lauzière. Make your way through loose slate slabs (north-east). Via an ascending detour, reach the Col de la Grande Lauzière and a plateau (2,700 m). To the right is Tête Noire, to the left the Grande Lauzière; opposite is the Pic du Grand Doménon, and further on the Belledonne peaks. See § Practical Information.

(12) From the pass, the descent down the first escarpment is easy; the second (alt. 2,702 m) is steeper. The difficulty of this traverse lies in the descent down this escarpment.

(13) Look out for a fissure to the left of the ridge which allows you to descend with plenty of handholds; the route down to the right offers fewer. Continue the descent, heading for a distinct pass (alt. 2,630 m) characterised by its whitish rock.

(14) You will find yourself facing the impressive south-west ridge of the Grand Doménon. This impression of verticality is due to the head-on view; in reality, the average gradient is only around 40°. The rock is very stable and the route is fairly obvious, particularly as it is marked by numerous cairns leading to the summit.

(15) It has two peaks, the highest of which rises to 2,802 m. Photo: From the Pic Grand Doménon. For the descent, head for the Col du Bâton, trying to stay on the (north-eastern) ridge and bypassing the difficult sections on the right.

(16) From the pass, marked by a large cairn, leave the path straight ahead and take the track on the left which descends through scree or, at times, patches of snow.

(17) After about 150 m (alt. 2,620 m), you have a choice: either descend to the right via the Névé de la Grande Pente, or to the left down a scree cone via numerous switchbacks. The first option is the most commonly used by those who are confident on steep snow slopes. The second option, shown on the map, simply requires constant attention. The path joins the path to the Col de Freydanne and the Croix de Belledonne, just above a huge boulder (alt. 2,470 m) which can serve as a landmark on the previous descent.

(18) Follow this well-marked and clearly defined path to the left (west), which leads to Lac du Grand Domènon.

(19) Walk along the northern shore of the lake and, after a short rocky stretch, reach Lac du Petit Domènon.
(20) Follow its northern shore. At the far end, the path begins to cross a large scree slope. For the upcoming section through a maze of rocks, it is advisable to keep a close eye on the markings.

(21) The path turns right (north), runs alongside the rocks and crosses an exposed section. It continues its descent, winding its way through large scree. After a hollow between two rock faces, it reaches the mountain pastures and the Ruisseau du Doménon.

(22) Continue the descent along the Doménon stream for about 400 metres.

(23) Leave the stream to cross a small pass and follow a narrow valley to the Col de la Pra, where you rejoin the ascent path.

(4) Turn right and follow the ascent route in reverse all the way back to the car park (S/E).

Warning: this route includes exposed sections. It is not suitable for those prone to vertigo or without high-mountain experience. Furthermore, it requires a good level of fitness.
It is advisable to undertake this hike after early August to minimise the risk of encountering snow-covered sections.
The route is signposted from (S) to (6), then from (18) to (E).
This little-used route, set in a wild high-mountain environment, can be completed in two days with an overnight stay at the Refuge de La Pra (FFCAM). Booking is essential: 09.88.28.16.69

The summit of the Grande Lauzière (2,741 m) can be reached via a path on the left (north-west), which winds in a half-spiral through a mound of slate slabs. From there, you can see the ridge leading to the foot of the Pic du Grand Doménon. The route follows the ridge, crossing two rocky outcrops. Photo: View from the Grande Lauzière towards the Pic du Grand Doménon.

Belle vue sur les lacs du Crozet, Claret, Longet, David, du Grand et du Petit Domènon. Magnifique panorama aux sommets de la Grande Lauzière et du Pic du Grand Domènon.