From Pont de Gerlon follow the road then branch left opposite the hamlet of Les Prioux. At about 2000m pull left around the shoulder and into the Vallon des Nants. Above 2300m trend leftwards towards the Col des Thurges, giving a reasonably wide berth to the slopes directly below the west face of the Dôme des Sonnailles (which is prone to avalanches/sluffs running down the gullies). From the col climb more steeply up west and north-west facing slopes to reach the ice cap a quick detour can be made to ‘bag’ the Dôme des Sonnailles before continuing up to the Dôme des Nants. (The keen peak-bagger can add in the Dôme de Chasseforêt on the way up or down in return for a little extra climbing.)

From the summit reverse the route of ascent taking care not to be drawn into the tempting gullies that branch off left before the slopes above the Col des Thurges - most of these end with an icefall of varying size…!