The Tour starts in Plaine Joux where you will have to briefly follow the road to connect with the trail that leads to Refuge de Platé. The climb is steep and will require your full attention for the short, more exposed bit just below les Egratz, before getting gentler as you reach the refuge, which sits at the bottom of the Désert de Platé. Although you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see limestone pavements during the Tour, the most beautiful ones are found in the Désert, so you may want to go have a look, especially if you’re spending the night at the refuge.

Otherwise, make your way to col de la Portette where, after another steep but thankfully short climb, you will have your first good look at the Fiz mountain range. From there, a long descent will take you first to refuge de Sales and then follow the Torrent de Sales until you get to the Sauffaz and Pleureuse waterfalls (watch out for the smaller ones that you’ll also pass along the way).

Once you’ve reached them, the second major climb of the Tour starts but is overall easier than the first one, as it’s longer but less steep. The first part, until Collet d’Anterne, offers limited views, but the panorama opens up impressively afterwards, showing you the Buet and the west face of the Fiz range, with the Alfred Wills refuge in the distance, that you will reach quickly after a short descent, a river crossing, and another short climb.

There, don’t take the direct route to lac d’Anterne but instead make your way to petit col d’Anterne; although it’s slightly longer, it’s less steep, less crowded, and more scenic. Pass the lake on the right bank before getting on with the last part of the climb to col d’Anterne, where you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Mont-Blanc range.

The descent to refuge de Moede Anterne can be at times steep and technical but is thankfully rather short. Another leisurely 30 minutes is all you need to get to the lac de Pormenaz, which should be less busy than Anterne, in case you want to relax a bit in a quiet place.

This itinerary has you retracing your steps in order to take the easiest option to descend to the Souay huts, but feel free to keep going to descend along La Chorde if you’re interested in a more technical and exposed alternative (steep, fixed chains and steps in the most dangerous parts).

From the huts, follow the gravel road and easy trails until you get to the last lake of the hike, the lac vert, a popular destination for families (there’s a restaurant nearby). Afterward, one last short climb will have you back at the car park.