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To do this hike, go to the "small pass de Tamié (altitude 956 m)" above Mercury (a commune above Albertville). Do not confuse it with the Col de Tamié, which is 600 metres away.
Coming from the Col de Tamié road, head towards Fort de Tamié, then at the small pass of Tamié take the tarmac road on the left towards La Ramaz.
Coming from Mercury to the small pass of Tamié, take the tarmac road on the right towards La Ramaz.
At the hamlet of La Ramaz (do not enter the hamlet), continue along the road on the right until the end of the tarmac area. Park at the Teppes car park (picnic tables, tourist and wildlife information board). Ascent route.
(S/E) Start your walk on the gravel forest path that climbs for about 80 metres. At the hairpin bend on the left, take the small path on the right (sign) under the spruce trees. It starts overlooking the forest path and then winds its way up several hairpin bends (be careful, there are many exposed roots).
(1) At the first intersection, continue straight ahead (do not turn right at the sign for "Plan Languot"). Follow the path and the hairpin bends. As you climb, look through the clearings on your left. The first clearing offers a glimpse of the abbey below. Then a second clearing in the old forest allows a view of the town of Faverges with Lake Annecy in the distance and perhaps some raspberries.
(2) When you reach the first flat section, ignore the path that branches off to the right below (signposted Le Coquet) and descends the Mercury slope. Continue climbing. 50 metres further on, a clearing on the right with a meadow offers a view of Mercury, Albertville, Grignon, Gilly sur Isère and the Dent du Corbeau. Continue to the next junction.
(2) At the intersection with a path branching off to the left (path through the national forest that descends into the valley), continue uphill to the right. A few switchbacks higher up, you will leave the undergrowth and come to the first meadows and the Croix de Périllet (first cross). This is the first viewpoint, with the summit cross of Belle Étoile looming in the distance.
From the Croix de Périllet, continue along the path on the ridge (a mixture of grass and steep rock). The path returns to the meadow and heads towards the summit, still on the Tamié side of the valley.
Take note of the intersection with a path that branches off to the left into the grass towards the undergrowth (signposted Chalet de Périllet) as this will be your return route. Note the Belle Étoile summit cross, visible 50 metres ahead on the ridge, and continue along the path towards it.
About 25 metres below the cross, you will come to a junction with a final path continuing along the ridge straight ahead. Do not take this path (difficult passage equipped with cables for experienced hikers). Take the path on the right, which climbs in two hairpin bends to reach the summit of Belle Étoile, the highest point of this hike.
(4) From the summit of Belle Étoile, take in the panoramic view and use the orientation table to identify the different peaks.
Retrace your steps to return to the crossroads leading to the summit.
(3) Take the path on the right (marked on the way up) signposted Chalet de Périllet. Descend the winding path alternating between grass and undergrowth to the Chalet de Périllet.
(5) At the chalet, take the path on the left that joins the forest track. Continue along the track for 50 metres.
At the intersection of the two tracks, take the path immediately below that branches off to the left (cairn with a wooden stake), leaving a path further to the left (not marked on the map) and the one on the right. This path returns to the starting point. It crosses a path ascending to the left (sign for Belle Étoile written in white by hand). Continue downhill to the right and follow the switchbacks. Another path branches off to the left and climbs (Belle Étoile via the national forest). Continue downhill to the right until you reach a forest track.
(5). Turn left onto the track for 100 metres and cross the stream (avalanche risk sign). Turn right onto the marked trail that runs along the bottom of the forest track to the starting car park. The track also leads back to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
