5 days (4 nights) - The winter route

From the 1800 ski resort, follow the Casses piste over the footbridge. Cross the Chaudanne piste and follow the route to the car park in La Chenalette. Then take the hiking trail by the Croix de la Portète. After the bridge over the Neuvache, follow the stream for 150 metres and head up towards the ruins and the birch tree wood. Follow Combe de Corniou as far as the chapel. Then drop down to the refuge.

From the refuge: Follow the Neuvache to Col de la Chapelle (2,943 m), join the hiking trail from the Vallée Etroite and climb to the chapel and then the summit (3,178 m). Head down into Vallée Etroite until you reach the refuges (1,760 m).

From Granges de la Vallée Etroite, head up the “Narrow Valley” as far as Pont de la Fonderie (1,920 m). Pass around Tête du Chien heading north, and then south to join Col du Vallon (2,645 m, +880 m). Drop down 100 metres into the little valley of Vallon, then put on your skins and head south-west to Lac Blanc du Vallon. Take a little rest before climbing to Pas du Lac Blanc (2,970 m) and for the bravest, make a little tour up to Pic Blanc (2,990 m), then head down to the refuge via Lac Serpent and Lac Laramon.

From Refuge Ricou (2,115 m), walk up the south-facing slope to Col de la Grande Tempête (or Crête des Muandes) (2,865 m, +750 m). Here you have the option to climb to the peak of Grande Tempête (3,002 m, +900 m)) and then down the west-facing slope to reach Refuge des Drayères (2,180 m, -685 m). Evening and overnight stay at Refuge des Drayères.

Col de Névache (2,794 m) down to Valmeinier via Les Barmettes, Notre Dame des Neiges and Combe de Corniou, then along the left bank of the stream to reach Valmeinier. A second night’s stay at Refuge de Terre Rouge.