Aiguillette des Houches and Bellachat Refuge

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Located at the southern end of the Carlaveyron National Nature Reserve, the Aiguillette des Houches offers an exceptional view of the Mont Blanc massif. You can enjoy these magnificent panoramas all the way to the Aiguillette du Brévent. Further east, the terrace of the Refuge de Bellachat offers another superb view, particularly of the Aiguille du Midi, only 6 km away.

⚠️ This route crosses the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

Details

n°4016544
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 942 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 944 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,308 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,389 m
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Bellachat Refuge
Aiguillette des Houches
Aiguillette des Houches
Aiguillette des Houches

Description of the walk

From Les Houches, follow the Route du Coupeau and then the Parc animalier de Merlet. It is best to park at car park P3.

(S/E) From the car park, go to the start of the trail: signposts for "Aiguillette des Houches and Refuge Bellachat". Follow this trail, which winds through the woods, along the Parc de Merlet. Leave two trails on your left before reaching an intersection with a signpost.

(1) Turn left, following the signs for "Chalets de Chailloux - Aiguillette des Houches". On the right is the direction of the Refuge de Bellachat and Brévent, where you will return on the way back. At an altitude of 1,782 metres, the path joins a track and widens. Continue along the track, pass a bend heading east and after another long climb, you will reach the Chalets de Chailloux (refreshments available in season).

(2) Continue east on the path that passes above the Chalets. Change direction about 300 m further on, heading northwest. Approach the Aiguillette des Houches, where you will come to another intersection.

(3) Locate the summit, which is actually slightly to the right of a small pass. Begin the ascent and, after several switchbacks in the rock, reach the summit.

(4) Enjoy the view and a well-deserved break. Then follow the ridge trail to the Pointe de Lapaz, pass this hillock and reach the foot of the Aiguillette du Brévent, which offers two options for going around it.
(5) To be on the safe side, take the path on the left, which is less exposed. After passing the Aiguillette du Brévent, at a small pass, you will come to a crossroads.

(6) Turn left and descend towards a small lake via a fairly narrow path. The path remains clear with the Refuge de Bellachat in sight. Climb slightly towards an intersection.

(7) Take the path down to the right, which rejoins the path to the Refuge de Bellachat, and easily reach the latter.

(8) Retrace your steps and take the path on the left for the return journey. Begin the descent towards the Parc de Merlet, following theGR®® du Tour du Pays du Mont Blanc trail. This has a few tricky sections with handrails, chains and metal steps.

(9) Leave the path on the left that descends directly to Merlet and continue west on the trail to reach the fork you saw on the way up.

(1) Take the same path you took on the way up and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,391 m - Merlet car park P3
  2. 1 : km 1.07 - alt. 1,601 m - Aiguillette des Houches fork
  3. 2 : km 3.02 - alt. 1,930 m - Chailloux chalets
  4. 3 : km 4.28 - alt. 2,153 m - Intersection
  5. 4 : km 4.78 - alt. 2,278 m - Aiguillette des Houches
  6. 5 : km 5.55 - alt. 2,299 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 6.06 - alt. 2,243 m - Turn left towards Refuge Bellachat
  8. 7 : km 6.76 - alt. 2,142 m - Right-hand path
  9. 8 : km 6.95 - alt. 2,149 m - Refuge de Bel-Lachat
  10. 9 : km 8.9 - alt. 1,642 m - Fork in the road, go straight ahead
  11. S/E : km 10.34 - alt. 1,389 m - Merlet car park P3

Notes

  • The IBP statistics for the route give an index of 112 HKG.
  • Mountain equipment, including good shoes.
  • ⚠ Caution: equipped sections (handrails, chains, metal steps) between (8) and (9). Avoid in wet weather.
  • No water along the entire route, even at the refuge.
  • Food available at the Bellachat refuge.

The bivouac can bebooked here.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

- Carlaveyron National Nature Reserve.
- Mont Blanc massif.
- Aiguillette des Houches.
- Aiguillette du Brévent.
- Le Brévent.
- Bellachat Refuge.
- Lake Brévent.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Rochi1999
Rochi1999

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike done counterclockwise for a less demanding descent on the knees... and fortunately so, because it allowed us to avoid the really tricky section between 7 and 8 (closer to 7). We took the path further back from the ridge marked in pink dots, which was great, because the ridge path was so-so... Superb 360-degree view from the Aiguillette des Houches.

By starting from P1 in Merle car park (a dozen spaces), you avoid a hundred metres of elevation gain. Magnificent landscape with autumn colours, thank you for sharing!

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User 27124478

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with superb views of the Mont Blanc massif👍

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Cathy21200
Cathy21200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. The only thing missing was the sun!
The views are magnificent and with the sun it must be even more beautiful.
Be careful at point 6, keep left and don't try to take the path on the right where some sections are a bit vertiginous.
The return from point 8 to point 9 is quite technical in places, but there are handrails for the tricky sections
We highly recommend this beautiful hike!

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Mugnier Paul
Mugnier Paul

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

i did the route anti-clockwise for safety reasons and also to get a better view of the Mont Blanc range, climbing via Bellachat and returning via the Chailloux chalets for a gentler descent.

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Adu
Adu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done for the second time.
After point 7, to get to the refuge, keep climbing (towards the handrails) and don't try to descend to the right (even though it's possible but not obvious).
The view is still extraordinary on both sides once you reach the top

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Meganecafe
Meganecafe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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GENISSIEN
GENISSIEN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

SUPERB HIKE WITH THE MONT BLANC IN ALL ITS SPLENDOUR UNDER A BLUE SKY

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ratounade
ratounade

hello, this hike sounds appealing, but I am concerned about the "vertiginous passages" and "ladders." Is there an alternative? I am considering https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-aigu... but there are no comments. Thank you!

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Ccyl
Ccyl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This was my first solo hike and I really didn't regret it. The trail is very clear. It climbs well but isn't particularly difficult. When you arrive at the Aiguillettes des Houches, the view is simply breathtaking. To reach the Bellachat refuge, there is a pretty ridge path and a bit of climbing. At the refuge, you can climb up to admire the Lac du Brevent. The descent is more vertiginous, with a significant drop, a path along the side of the mountain and handrails. Be careful at point 1 on the way back to take the right path, otherwise you'll be back for another go! A fabulous hike with Mont Blanc as your companion and the Tête à l'Ane in the front row. I'd do it again without hesitation.

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Adu
Adu
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike. However, after point 7, I had a lot of trouble finding the path back down to the one leading up to the refuge. I wonder if there even is one. However, based on my position on the map, I don't think I strayed from the planned route.
Some sections are a bit vertiginous.
22/07/2024: after doing it a second time in 2024, after point 7, don't try to go down towards the refuge, keep climbing towards the handrails

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Nicole Guil
Nicole Guil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike done on a sunny day with blue skies. Very beautiful view of the Mont Blanc range

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ChristianNo
ChristianNo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A steady, pleasant climb through the woods almost to the Aiguillette des Houches, then a panoramic ridge to the east.
The descent requires a little caution from the eastern end of this ridge.
The same applies to the descent via the GR5 from Bellachat, where the path is well secured and poses no problems for experienced hikers or those accustomed to this type of terrain.
In short, an unmissable hike.

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ROUXS
ROUXS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with a 360-degree view of the Aiguillettes
A short, slightly difficult section after going around the small lake

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Randobriot
Randobriot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At 1, you can follow the direction of the Lachat refuge directly. After the ridge, instead of descending into the crowd, it is more interesting to follow the ridge towards Pierre Blanche and then towards the Cry plateau. This way, the end of the route is in the forest and quieter.

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GARAUD
GARAUD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

More snow in June. A very beautiful hike

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