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Superb viewpoint on the Bissorte valley and its dam lake as well as on the valley itself 1500m below. The route is easy but long if started from Bissortette. It can be shortened considerably by starting from Le Prec. 1500m of ascent, or 870m from Le Prec, 5h or 2.30 h. IGN map 3535 OT.
Start
Turn right on entering La Praz on to a very narrow road that will take you to the EDF cable-car station. Continue on a forest trail for about 200m and park after the second hairpin (signposts, wooden panel). The forest trail to Le Prec has to be taken from Valmeinier. A good way to spare your legs at the expense of a much longer drive. Mont Coburne deserves a full ascent, though.
Route
Walk up a steep forest trail. At about alt. 1400, turn left (signposted) on to a fine path that winds its way up the Orelle forest to Le Prec, where you will join the trail from Valmeinier (1750m). The route is then marked and signposted. It goes up the left bank of the Bissorte upper valley, snakes across a system of cliffs and comes out near the dam at IGN alt. 2084m, under the precipitous slopes of Coburne's east face. Walk along the lake and reach IGN 2102m. A gap in the vegetation makes it possible to go up the grassy slopes to your right. From there on, the route is pathless. Progression is a bit awkward at first but becomes easier and pleasant after the Vallon and Turraz ruins. Go up Mont Coburne's south ridge, heading for the obvious avalanche protection near the top. There, turn left and reach the summit. Beautiful circular panorama on the lake and the valley below, as well as the Sarrasins range to the east. Go down the same way, without trying to take shortcuts (cliffs).