Circular walk starting from Baptieu

de fr

An ideal day trip to explore the lush mountain pastures and small high-altitude chalets of Colombaz. A magnificent viewpoint over the Mont Blanc massif, whose summit peeks out between the Dômes de Miage and the Aiguille de Bionnassay.

Details

n°25286610
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.59 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,181 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,178 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,948 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,911 ft
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Photos

Crossing the Nant Rouge stream
Nant Rouge stream (halfway point)

Description of the walk

To reach the car park: drive past the village centre, follow signs for the ski area and park at the Baptieu car park, on the right before the hamlet of Le Lay.

(S/E) Walk through the hamlet and continue along the Chemin du Baptieu. Keep to the left on this path.

(1) Then continue along the Chemin de la Croix de la Montaz to the Pont des Loyers. Further on, cross the Ruisseau le Roger. Reach the hamlet of La Montaz.

(2) Turn right onto the Chemin de Colombaz. Continue uphill until you reach the hamlet of Colombaz.

(3) Carry on and immediately turn left onto the path through the woods. Begin a short descent followed by another climb to reach the hamlet of Les Tappes, its small lake and the cable car stations.

(4) Take the path on the right, running parallel to the Montjoie cable car. Continue down the slope until you are directly below the cable car.

(5) Carry on and, via a few hairpin bends, return to the car park in the hamlet of Baptieu (S/E) by following the signposts at all junctions.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,911 ft - Car park in the hamlet of Baptieu
  2. 1 : mi 0.23 - alt. 4,075 ft - The Montaz Cross Path to the Pont des Loyers
  3. 2 : mi 0.71 - alt. 4,557 ft - La Montaz
  4. 3 : mi 1.37 - alt. 4,934 ft - Colombaz
  5. 4 : mi 2.15 - alt. 4,843 ft - Lac de l'Étape
  6. 5 : mi 2.7 - alt. 4,508 ft - Below the cable car
  7. S/E : mi 3.59 - alt. 3,917 ft - Car park in the hamlet of Baptieu

Notes

Facilities along the route: Auberge de Colombaz and Restaurant de l’Étape.

Worth a visit

(4) From the terrace of the Auberge du Colombaz, you can enjoy the splendid view of the Dômes de Miage and the Aiguille de Bionnassay.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
yves.bonvalot
yves.bonvalot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Best tackled when in good shape; the climb through the woods is quite steep, with roots and rocks.

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MiuMiu
MiuMiu

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Here’s a short but very interesting route to get you started and help you acclimatise to mid-mountain conditions.
The route takes 2½ hours. Unfortunately, the weather was overcast, with rather limited visibility, though I could clearly see Mont Joly on the right, well covered in snow.
This route is also ideal for young children aged 5 and over.

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BernieG
BernieG

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Much of the appeal of this route lies in the views of Mont Blanc and the tranquillity of the hamlets along the way.

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