Pont de la Peche - Lac Blanc - Col du Grand Infernet - Lac du Mont Coua - Rock des Eaux Noires summit - Col Rouge loop

Pont de la Peche - Lac Blanc - Col du Grand Infernet (2,840m) - Lac du Mont Coua - Rock des Eaux Noires summit (2947m) - Col Rouge (2,731m) - return

The route to Col du Grand Infernet is straightforward on established paths, already beautiful views to be enjoyed of the peaks, glaciers and the beautifully coloured Lac Blanc. Also interesting the short section to Col du Grand Infernet which follows along the base of Roc du Soufre and its otherworldly gypsum rocks.

After the Col there are rock cairns to mark the way through the rocky moraine to Lac du Mont Coua, however comfort route finding in alpine terrain is recommended as the cairns can be quite spread out and a general sense of route direction helpful. Lac du Mont Coua is another gem and worth the trip on its own. Climbing up from Lac du Mont Coua to the upper alpine lakes is well marked with cairns, however in ascending the rock bands to the ridge of Rock des Eaux Noires there are no route markers so again, experience route finding and scrambling in alpine terrain is recommended. It is a short scramble on unstable rock to the ridge and once there rock cairns again mark the route. From the ridge it is a quick trip to the summit, with nice views of Mont Blanc included. You can see Col Rouge as you descend Rock des Eaux Noires and there are also cairns to help guide. The rock can form deep gully’s and cliff bands so care is required when descending to stay on route. All that said it is an easy scramble IF used to that sort of terrain.

It is also possible to skip Rock des Eaux Noires and instead of climbing up to the ridge at the point of the large rock cairns, follow the route markers down the passageway to the left of the mountain until you arrive at the trail between Col Rouge and Chanrouge. Here you turn right up to Col Rouge to reconnect with this route.

From Col rouge it is a clear, well established trail back to the starting point.

NOTE: my garmin watch recorded the distance as 23km and 1500m elevation gain - just for reference for planning as the wikiloc recording is not as accurate.