Mont Pravouta and Col des Ayes

Description

Access: From Grenoble, head in the direction of Saint Hilaire du Touvet. Just after the tunnel on the left head in the direction of the Col du Coq. The start of the hike is at the Col du Coq.

From the pass head down Route du Versant St Hugues for fifty metres and quickly take the first wide track to the right. This path soon rises gently through the forest. At the exit of the woods we find ourselves at the foot of vast fields; head up through these and see above them the summit of Pravouta. Crossroads of paths. (1) Turn right heading uphill. At about 1600 m there is a large shelf (2) in the hollow of which, a little further north, we see the Habert de Pravouta and behind it the Grand Som. The two domes of the Roc d'Arguille and the Pravouta then dominate the view overhead and a pretty pass located right between the tow path (3) provides the opportunity to get closer. From this section, head uphill due south on the north ridge of the Pravouta and few minutes reach the next summit at 1760 m. Here there is an unmissable opportunity for a contemplative break.

Head down via the south ridge. Depending on your fitness level and the snow conditions, you can head to just about anywhere on the south-east side, continue along the ridge to a small flat area, (4) shortly before the forest. Arrive at Col des Ayes. In the descent, roughly 300 m after the pass (5) find and take the GR9, which starts on your right to reach the Col du Coq and get back to your car.