Description

This is a stunning and strenuous round circuit through the Bailletaz Nature Reserve, passing above the glacial Lac de la Sassière. Start at the Office du Tourisme in Val d’Isère.

After leaving street level, the path goes up gradually, continuing upon a balcony above and along the valley and below the soaring, jagged ridgeline of the Corniche.

Eventually, the route passes above the hamlet of Le Fornet. The trail is somewhat steep and stenuous to the Col de la Bailletta.

Take time to enjoy the incredible views all around you! There are two beautiful alpine lakes (Lac de Bailletta and Lac de la Sassière) to enjoy during the route, both of which offer perfect, quiet stops for a bite to eat or refreshment that has been packed, and are ideal to really absorb the true ambience of this stunning area.

From the lakes, you’ll climb steepl toward the Passage de Picheru.

Once you’ve summited, the descent from Passage de Picheru to La Daille is pretty difficult and very stressful on the legs. Although this route is quite physically challenging it is well worth enduring the effort to hike a route through high alpine terrain in a particularly remote, quiet, and relatively undiscovered area.