Aouille de Criou from Vallon d'en haut

de fr

Climb the peak overlooking the village of Samoëns via the Pertuet chalets and descend via Le Bouttiay. 360° view of the surrounding peaks. A relatively easy hike to the Chalets de Criou, or even as far as Barme, with a magnificent view of the village of Samoëns and the rocky ridges of the Criou face. The slope then becomes much steeper up to the summit, making this hike relatively difficult.

Details

n°33847310
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.37 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,843 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,836 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,152 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,372 ft
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Description of the walk

Turn left towards the hamlet of Vallon d’en haut on leaving Samoëns towards Sixt to park in the Vallon d’en haut car park.

(S/E) Take the stony track which will lead you to the Chalet du Criou (4x4 track). Follow this track to pass by the Source du Vin Blanc. Shortly afterwards, you’ll come to a crossroads of tracks.

(1) Turn left and begin a series of hairpin bends to reach the Pertuet chalets.

(2) Turn right onto the almost flat path to reach the junction at the Chalets du Trot.
.
(3) Turn left onto the wide 4x4 track and head towards the Criou chalets,

(4) Take the path that goes round the trough on the right to reach Barme.

(5) Follow the red markings from here to the summit of the Aouille de Criou.

(6) Descend via the same route to the Chalets du Trot.

(3) Turn left and continue down the winding path to reach the wide track at the Bouttiay chalets.

(7) Follow this track and you will then reach the junction you passed on the way up.

(1) Follow the route you took on the way there in the opposite direction to return to the Vallon d’en Haut car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,379 ft - Vallon d’en haut car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.78 - alt. 3,087 ft - Junction between the Pertuet chalets and the Bouttiay chalets
  3. 2 : mi 2.33 - alt. 4,564 ft - Chalets Pertuet
  4. 3 : mi 2.93 - alt. 4,610 ft - Chalets du Trot
  5. 4 : mi 3.95 - alt. 5,482 ft - Chalets du Criou
  6. 5 : mi 4.49 - alt. 6,132 ft - Barme
  7. 6 : mi 4.87 - alt. 7,110 ft - Croix du Criou
  8. 7 : mi 7.95 - alt. 3,655 ft - Bouttiay
  9. S/E : mi 9.37 - alt. 2,372 ft - Vallon d’en haut car park

Notes

(4) Chalets de Criou: take a look at the drinking trough carved into the sharp limestone pavement, located at the top of the hamlet.
(6) Aouille is the local dialect term for ‘aiguille’.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Delphinium
Delphinium ★

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Je suis partie ce matin à 6h tapante. Heure idéale pour éviter la cohue... Aprés avoir apprécié les sommets en toute tranquillité, lorsque je suis redescendue il y avait du monde qui montait!!!
En passant, superbe petite buvette (prendre du cash) et rencontre de l'équipe d'entretiens de la Communauté de Commune trés agréables!
Le parking lorsque je suis rentrée était blindée ... je conseille de partir tôt le matin.
La dernière portion peut etre glissante due aux rochers. Les bâtons de randonnées sont fortement conseillés.
Bref merci pour cette découverte c'était vraiment top cette vue sur Samoens, le Mont Blanc et les vallées alentour!

FlickaPatsy
FlickaPatsy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A challenging hike, but one that does not require any technical skills. However, care should be taken on the ridges as the path sometimes runs right alongside the cliff.
You can continue the hike to the Pointe de Tendraiche (2,348 m).
On the way back, you can stop for a drink at the charming Chalet du Trot.
In total, 20 km and 1,600 metres of elevation gain.

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Mikie28
Mikie28

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Run on 20/08/24,
The first 4 km aren’t particularly scenic, but physically it was a real challenge.
After that, it’s simply magnificent but still physically demanding as it’s nothing but an uphill climb all the way; the final section is even steeper. Be careful, as the rocks can be slippery if it’s rained in the days leading up to it, but once you reach the peak, THE VIEWS ARE ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. Thank you for introducing me to this.

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