Aiguille des Calvaires and Combe de Borderan

From La Clusaz take the ski lift to the Cret du Merle then the second ski lift to Cret du Loup. (Alternatively you could walk up to Cret du Merle and then make the ascent via the Combe de Borderan.)

From Cret du Merle (S) take the piste/track which heads up the crest of a broad ridge to a junction where the track splits (1). Take the right hand track which ascends gently and then zig-zags up to another junction (2). At the second junction go right again onto a less prominent track which soon becomes a path as it passes through a fence and into the pasture on the west facing slope beneath the Aiguille des Calvaires. (3)

Zig-Zag steeply up through the pasture heading for the ski lift station up and on the right (this will be closed in summer) and the path will pass through a section of scree just before you get there (4). Follow the path up and left to join the sharp south ridge leading up to the summit. Near the top there is a very steep cliff edge on the right so take care in strong wind. The summit has a cross and lovely views West and also of the Aravis mountain chain.

Descend the same route to the shoulder with the cabin (4) and then take the path which leads south east and down. There is one section where there are cliffs on the left and the path has suffered from a landslip where care needs to be taken before the path is repaired but this is short and you are soon on a good path again as you descend. The Grotte de l'Eglise is across the scree slope up and on your right as you descend the next section into the Combe de Borderan. The path is obvious as it zig-zags down through scree and then into pasture. You will have steep crags on your right and slabby craggs on your left which lead up to the Pointe des Aravis. Keep descending until the path moves towards the right hand side of the Combe beneath some smaller crags and you start to enter the trees. (5).

Shortly after entering the trees you will come to a junction in the track (signpost) (6) take the right hand path (left leads to the via-ferrata). The obvious track zig zags through the forest passing another ski lift station (Cote 2000). Continue on the good piste/track to another two junctions (7); turn left at the first and right at the second. The track will lead to a junction with the road coming up to la Frasse and the Cable car station Cret du Merle (8). Take the road to Cret du Merle and catch the cable car down. (In summer 2018 the return journey was free if you had paid for the ascent.)

Alternatively you could walk down to the village.

Ski lifts make this summit easily accessible and useful for a short half day walk. Please take note of any time tables and lunch time closures if you are hoping for a lift back and time your walk accordingly. Using the ski lifts means you can take in the interesting parts of the walk and avoid the less interesting bits through the piste.

You could make it more challenging by walking up to Cret du Merle, ascending via the Combe de Borderan and then the Summit of the Aiguille des Calvaires before descending to Cret du Loup and then down through the piste and eventually back to the village.