From the Grandes Platières cable car departure station (Flaine forum), take the GR96 towards the Refuge de Platé. At the Col de Colonney, follow the GR96 towards Platé. You are now entering the Désert de Platé, a listed geological site. At the foot of the Col de la Portette, the Refuge de Platé can be seen down below on your right. You will reach Sales and its refuge by crossing the Châteaux de Cran “bar” via the Col de la Portette. From the col, admire the Désert de Platé and the Combe de Sales. At the foot of the Col de la Portette, follow the GR96 signs to “Le Grand Pré”, which leads to the Chalets de Sales and the refuge. Leaving the Sales refuge on your left, take the path that leads to the Combe des Foges. Head up the combe to Les Verdets. The descent to Flaine is via alpine meadows from the Col Pelouse to “Balacha”.