Grand Serre to the Taillefer running tour - 34 km - Black level

Unmarked Trail (Alpe du Grand Serre – Sector #1)

A high-mountain traverse linking the station’s two iconic summits: Le Grand Serre and Le Taillefer.

Things get serious quite quickly: the route begins on a wide, fast forest road that follows the GR 549. After a short section through the woods, a forest track leads up to the Crête du Grand Serre (Grand Serre Ridge). At the top of the Serriou chairlift, the trail leaves all official hiking signs behind and continues along an unmarked mountain path.

From here, simply follow the crest line of Le Grand Serre, a majestic, commanding summit offering a true moment of mountain serenity and discovery. The route then drops into alpine pastures, among grazing herds. The descent is gentler here, allowing you to reach in succession:

- Col du Parché

- A bypass around the Pérollier summit

- And an ascent to the top of La Chinarde, via fairly wide, smooth tracks.

The trail then begins a steeper and less-traveled descent toward the Roizonne valley below. It briefly follows the road, then joins the GR50, leading nearly all the way back to the resort center. After about 2 km of uphill, the most demanding slopes begin on the way to Le Taillefer, starting on a wooded trail that gradually opens into alpine terrain.

You will pass:

- Le Périmètre and its mountain hut

- Then the Pas de la Mine pass

At Pas de la Mine, follow the cairns and skirt the Lac de l’Emay along its left bank (east side), to reach Col du Grand Van. From there, finish the climb with the final steep and demanding few hundred meters to reach the summit of Le Taillefer.

Return Route

Retrace your steps back to Col du Grand Van. From this saddle, follow the ridge line toward Petit Taillefer and the Croix du Sergent Pinelli.

Once back at Pas de la Mine, a beautiful mountain trail descends through the Brouffier alpine pastures.