From Erigné (1186 m), take the road, now a cross-country ski trail, towards Charny.
At 1273 m, take the right-hand path which climbs gently, with a few slightly downhill sections, to the Chardonnière bridge (1309 m).
At 1273 m, take the right-hand path which climbs gently, with a few slightly downhill sections, to the Chardonnière bridge (1309 m).
Itinerary details
Description
Cross the bridge and take the path that rises to the right in the forest.
Pass the refuge de Vigny (1460 m). Catch up with the GR5 itinerary and leave the Bonnevalette chalets (1568 m) on your right. You will then reach the Col de la Golèse (1660 m), which you pass to reach the Refuge de la Golèse (1671 m).
You can also leave the road at around 1610 m when it makes a sharp bend to the right (W) and head directly S to reach a mini-col just above the Golèse refuge. You gain a little in distance, at the price of a steeper slope, but nothing too serious – 25-30 degrees max.
From the refuge, head due E on the broad Avouille slopes to reach this lightly-marked summit (~2100m) on the Bossetan W ridge.
Follow the ridge to the Pas de la Latte (2206m). Alternatively, you can reach it by cutting across the S slopes below Avouille.
From the Pas de la Latte, continue towards the top of the ridge, which is very wide and flat at the end.
Alternative starting point for hiking
Via the Chalets de Chardonnière then the GR5 to the Col de la Golèse.
For the descent:
By the same route, typically staying on the ridge rather than following the track up the S side of the Avouille. Then, above the Golèse refuge, it’s worth cutting right (N) into the small valley, to find a slightly more interesting slope.
When ski touring, it’s worth noting that the part between the Pas de la Latte and the summit is of little interest for downhill skiing, so many locals only ski up to the Avouille, especially if they’ve just had a good powder fall: this allows them to trace the beautiful WSW slope, the best of the itinerary.
A few remarks:
The starting altitude depends on the snow conditions of the access road: from 1186 m to 1340 m (but in the latter case you still have to descend to the Chardonnière bridge at 1309 m).
This route is accessible to a wide public, including snowshoers. The slopes are generally wide and gentle. Snow conditions are also often favorable. It should be noted, however, that the final ridge may seem long to some.
The route is predominantly W-facing in its upper section and N-facing in its lower section. It can therefore be done relatively late in the day. For the same reason, this route is practicable for most of the season.
It’s also worth noting that the broad, round ridge of the Avouille presents variations in orientation. So, depending on the time of day and the state of the snow, you may choose to take the S side or stay on the shadier side.
Pass the refuge de Vigny (1460 m). Catch up with the GR5 itinerary and leave the Bonnevalette chalets (1568 m) on your right. You will then reach the Col de la Golèse (1660 m), which you pass to reach the Refuge de la Golèse (1671 m).
You can also leave the road at around 1610 m when it makes a sharp bend to the right (W) and head directly S to reach a mini-col just above the Golèse refuge. You gain a little in distance, at the price of a steeper slope, but nothing too serious – 25-30 degrees max.
From the refuge, head due E on the broad Avouille slopes to reach this lightly-marked summit (~2100m) on the Bossetan W ridge.
Follow the ridge to the Pas de la Latte (2206m). Alternatively, you can reach it by cutting across the S slopes below Avouille.
From the Pas de la Latte, continue towards the top of the ridge, which is very wide and flat at the end.
Alternative starting point for hiking
Via the Chalets de Chardonnière then the GR5 to the Col de la Golèse.
For the descent:
By the same route, typically staying on the ridge rather than following the track up the S side of the Avouille. Then, above the Golèse refuge, it’s worth cutting right (N) into the small valley, to find a slightly more interesting slope.
When ski touring, it’s worth noting that the part between the Pas de la Latte and the summit is of little interest for downhill skiing, so many locals only ski up to the Avouille, especially if they’ve just had a good powder fall: this allows them to trace the beautiful WSW slope, the best of the itinerary.
A few remarks:
The starting altitude depends on the snow conditions of the access road: from 1186 m to 1340 m (but in the latter case you still have to descend to the Chardonnière bridge at 1309 m).
This route is accessible to a wide public, including snowshoers. The slopes are generally wide and gentle. Snow conditions are also often favorable. It should be noted, however, that the final ridge may seem long to some.
The route is predominantly W-facing in its upper section and N-facing in its lower section. It can therefore be done relatively late in the day. For the same reason, this route is practicable for most of the season.
It’s also worth noting that the broad, round ridge of the Avouille presents variations in orientation. So, depending on the time of day and the state of the snow, you may choose to take the S side or stay on the shadier side.
