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This page will describe the paths up and down the col du Bonhomme on its two sides, as well as the normal route to Grand Perron des Encombres. Remarkable here is the ibex population (bouquetins). Dozens of heads can be seen at any time around the Col du Bonhomme. The latter is also an alternative route for the second stage of the Maurienne Traverse (Sentier Balcon). IGN TOP 25 3433 ET.
From Tourmentier
From Montdenis, go down to Tourmentier and up the Essarts forest trail until it ends (1320m). Park your car there and take the trail to Barbole. A steeper passage reaches map point 1495m. Leave the trail before it goes down again and turn right on to a good path that climbs up a ridge (signpost). It soon reaches a passage that may be difficult in bad conditions when the earth around the Glésy torrent has subsided. If the path has disappeared, climb down the bushy slope under the path and walk up the bed of the stream about 100m. The path continues on the other side with a short exposed traverse and it joins the vast grassy expanses between the Glésy and Coteille streams. The vast ridge becomes progressively narrower as you gain altitude until it vanishes towards 2250m. Up very steep grass and dirt slopes (easy), join the path that traverses all the way below the upper slopes between the Crêt de la Pare and the Col des Parchets. Turn right. The Col du Bonhomme is very close (3h30). On a good day, you may see about 100 heads of bouquetins.
Walk or drive up the road to Planchette to its terminus. Take left on the Chalengette trail, which leads quickly to a wide, flat grassy lot (shelter and parking space). The route starts behind the shelter (signpost). Made in 1993, the path is excellent all the way up to the junction with the Bonhomme path but does not show on IGN maps. The final section is steep and sustained but not really difficult. From the shelter, take the path, walk past a few houses and go down to cross the Benoît torrent (sometimes difficult in spring). The route then goes south but turns sharply back north at the first crossing. Walk comfortably on grassy and more mineral sections at the foot of the steep slopes under the Croix des Têtes and the Pic du Génie. The path goes beyond the Col du Bonhomme on the left and appears to miss it, but turns back suddenly at a crossing (2030m, go left). The following section is much steeper and arduous, depending on the state the path is in. It traverses across the steep coomb where the Baisse stream flows. Cross the stream and go up the path on its right bank on steep rocky ground. Traverse left and out of the coomb towards 2300m. On much more civilized terrain, the path twists its way up before reaching the Col du Bonhomme . Scan everywhere for animals. They can't be far. To the north, the rocky summit of Chateau d'Aubert and the Perron des Encombres. To the south, a more or less level ridge goes to the Pic du Génie and the Croix des Têtes.
There is no proper path up to that grassy summit. The best way to climb the Perron is to use the Perronet trail, leave the car as high as possible (la Bachellerie - 1950m) and walk up the Petit Col des Encombres. The route is evident: go straight up grassy slopes with a few steeper passages towards the summit, always visible above. 900m of ascent, 3 hours.