Oulles, La Palud - Hiking from Le Bourg-d'Oisans

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Start: La Paute - Le Bourg-d'Oisans
Ascent: 1190m
Return journey 8h
Distance: 15km
Level: Difficult (steep ascent and descent)

MAPS AND TOPOS
IGN map 3335ET
OBP Topoguide n° 1

ITINERARY
Pass through the hamlet of La Paute and continue straight on to Boirond (signs).
Take the left-hand combe which climbs steeply into the wood, along a good path often on a balcony, discovering numerous Malaine ruins bearing witness to a lively past.
Exit the wood via a collet overlooking the village of Oulles, opposite Taillefer and Grand Galbert, at Le Piret at 1401m (signs).
Beautiful views of Taillefer, Rochail, Muzelle, La Meije, Grandes Rousses...
Descend to the village along a beautiful path with well-placed benches for contemplation, and follow the signs to Puy d'Oulles.
At the end of the village, at a crow's-foot, follow the road to the left, then turn left onto an undergrowth path (wooden signpost to Puy d'Oulles).
Here begins the descent through the combe du Collet, which is fairly steep and crosses three streams. At the end of the wood, you come to a wide path in a bend, in front of a small cliff surmounted by a stone oratory (several of the same style will be found along the way).
Follow this good path to the left to reach Puy d'Oulles (ruins).
Descend to the left along a wide, steep path to Clos de Balme (or Barme, on the map), continue along the road for about 600m to the hamlet of La Palud.
Go up to the Villard-Reymmond road on the left, follow it for a moment, then take the path that descends to the left along the Lignarre, towards La Paute (signs).
You cross the torrent twice on beautiful footbridges, then simply slide down to the road and join the parking lot.