Carte IGN TOP 25 3535 OT

Around the Lake

1st day: Parking du Prec – Refuge des Marches

Level: Easy | Elevation: + 565 m | Duration: 2h30 | Marked

Go up and cross the plateau du Prec (Electric pylon). After 200m go down to the left. Cross the stream and keep going up to the dam. Cross the dam and follow the trail to the refuge. Please do not take the first bridge below the shepherd house, but cross the bridge right below the hut.

2nd day: Refuge des Marches – Parking du Prec

Level: Easy | Elevation: -565m | Duration: 3h30 | Marked

From the hut, follow the “Vallon” (South). At the first signpost take a left. Go pass the ruines and keep going on the trail. At the dam, come back down the same way that the day before to the car park.

Le col des Marches

1st day: Valmeinier 1800 – Col des Marches – Combe St Michel – Refuge des Marches

Level: Easy | Elevation: + 944m/-579m | Duration: 5h | Partly marked

Follow the trail crossing the ski slopes towards les Inversins (2085m). Continue to Col des Marches (2725m). Follow the trail behind the signpost towards South-East and Crest de la Combe St Michel. Below the crest it is very steep, the traverse is not recommended when there is snow. From the crest go down by the mountain pastures to lac des Valloirins. Follow the trail down and cross the bridge right below the hut.

2nd day: Refuge des Marches – Col des Marches – Lac de Roche Noire – Valmeinier 1800

Level: Easy | Elevation: +579m/-944m | Duration: 5h | Marked

From the hut follow the trail towards the lake. At the signpost take a left to Col des Marches. Go down few turns and take a left to Lac de Roche Noire. Follow the trail down. Pass la Loza, le Planay and la Chenalette. At Désert d’en haut, take the trail and go back up to Valmeinier 1800.

Col des Sarrasins et Col des Bataillères

1st day: Le Lavoir – Col des Sarrasins – Refuge des Marches

Level: Medium | Elevation: + 938m/-645m | Duration: 4h30 | Marked

Follow le GR5-GR57, towards Col de la Vallée Etroite /Refuge du Thabor to the dam only. Take a right to Col des Sarrasins (2844m). Go down the other side and follow the trail to the hut.

2nd day: Refuge des Marches – Col des Bataillères – Col de la Vallée Etroite – Le Lavoir

Level: Medium | Elevation: +607m/-899m | Duration: 4h | Marked

From the hut follow the trail to Lac des Bataillères (2422m). Pass it and continue to Crête des Bataillères (2787m). Go down the other side towards Lacs Sainte Marguerite, and Refuge du Thabor (2500m). Enjoy a gourmet break! Keep going down to Col de la Vallée Etroite and follow the GR5 to the car park.