The Trail

The Ascent

This one starts straight out of Aiguilles and onto an easy 4×4 road climb for the first 300m. You could possibly uplift this part if you have two cars that you’re happy to drive on a gravel road. Leave the Porsche at home though. The following 600m to Lac du Grand Laus at 2580m are mostly easy pushing, with short pedalling sections, and a very short downhill section just to keep you motivated. Lac du Grand Laus is a hell of a spot, and for anyone who’s had enough here, you can join the main descent from here and avoid the final +300m. From the lake to summit is a bit a slog, steep pushing to Col du petit Malrif, and then a traverse which is mostly carrying through a boulder field across the north face of Pic Malrif. Good old fashioned suffering, but it’s absolutely worth it. From here, push up directly to the summit of Pic Malrif for victory selfies, or alternatively head along the ridge towards Gran Glazia. If you’ve got the gas for the final push, the ridge is excellent. The GPX takes the ridge option.

The Descent

The 10km descent to Abriès is outstanding. Off the peak, a very short water damaged shit-fest, followed by endless trail porn. Generally smooth and fast with the odd tricky switchback or awkward rocky section. The only sustained technical section is just below the 2500m mark, where the trail traverses’ steep ground, with a few rock steps and big exposure. It’s perfectly rideable, but you’ll wanna take it easy for a few hundred metres, or walk.

But more important than any of that, make sure you stop off at Le Bo Bar in Aiguilles for some top notch ice cream. And beer.