Circular route via Mont Pécloz, Mont d'Arménaz and Pointe de la Fougère

I recommend a lovely circular hike via Mont Pécloz, Mont d’Arménaz and Pointe de la Fougère.
Warning! Some sections are tricky, particularly the descent from Mont Pécloz towards Col d'Armène and the ridge between Mont d'Armenaz and Pointe de la Fougère
See the practical information section.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.79 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,560 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,554 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,198 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 867 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Areas: Alps, Bauges
  • ⚐ District: École (73630)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.641296° / E 6.208122°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3432ET, 3432OT, 3432OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park just past the Pont de la Cariat, not far from the Parking du Couvent.

(S/E) Take the road towards the Parking du Couvent, heading downhill. You will soon find the path visible on the left; take it. Join the junction of the track supporting the Sentier du Vallon de Bellevaux.

(1) Turn right onto it and walk to thesecond hairpin bend. Shortly after this, look for the start of a path just past a large wooden mushroom.

(2) Take it to the left and climb steadily through the undergrowth via tight but easy hairpin bends. You will reach the area known as Le Replat d’en haut.

(3) Here, cross a forest track and continue straight ahead on the path. From this point, the gradient becomes steeper as you go. After leaving the forest, the path follows the ridge line with a fairly steep gradient. Watch out for the ravine on the left. Be particularly careful in certain sections where you’ll need to use your hands, and watch out for loose stones. Reach the summit of Mont Pécloz, clearly marked by its cross.
Enjoy the view if the weather permits. Along the surrounding ridge, you should be able to find a few slightly secluded spots.

(4) Continue to the right to tackle a fairly tricky descent: this section requiresthe use of your hands at times and is very exposed. Take your time if necessary and, above all, watch out for loose stones that may suddenly roll under your feet. Be mindful of others. You will then reach the Col d’Armène.

(5) Continue straight ahead on the ascending path, leaving the path coming from the Chalet des Gardes to your right. Continue without difficulty, taking care, however, of the ravine on the left, to reach the summit of Mont d'Armenaz, also topped by a small cross. Here, too, you’ll find two paths.

(6) Take the one on the left, begin the descent and arrive at a small overhang marking the start of a long ridge line.

(7) Continue due east along the clearly visible path. Take care on some tricky sections in rather steep areas. Also take care when following the ridge line, where there is no room for error with ravines to the right and left. Make a short climb to reach the Pointe de Chamosseran.

(8) Continue over much easier terrain to reach Pointe de la Fourgère, where you will find a cross.

(9) Continue downhill. You’ll reach a flat area just before the Col de la Fougère, then a fairly visible fork in the path.

(10) Turn left, looking out for the signpost: Stream Fourchu direct. Cross the Ruisseau de la Fougère to reach theGRP® trail of the Massif des Bauges, marked in yellow and red, fairly quickly.

(11) Turn right onto it, heading for Nant Fourchu direct, and begin a descent via tight hairpin bends. After crossing a bridge, you’ll reach a small road closed to vehicles.

(12) Turn left onto it, pass a car park and arrive at the Pont du Plan du Bout.

(13) Continue along the road, keeping to the left bank of the river, until you reach the Pont de l'Étang.

(14) Cross the river via this bridge and take the road on the right bank to return to the Pont de la Cariat car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 870 m - Pont de la Cariat - Chéran (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.34 - alt. 932 m - Vehicle-accessible forest track
  3. 2 : km 1.38 - alt. 1,054 m - Junction – Mont Pécloz Path
  4. 3 : km 2.29 - alt. 1,343 m - The Upper Plateau
  5. 4 : km 4.34 - alt. 2,195 m - Mont Péclot
  6. 5 : km 4.68 - alt. 1,994 m - Col d'Armène
  7. 6 : km 5.25 - alt. 2,156 m - Mont d'Armenaz
  8. 7 : km 5.71 - alt. 2,071 m - Ridge lines
  9. 8 : km 6.59 - alt. 1,934 m - Pointe de Chamosseran
  10. 9 : km 7.62 - alt. 1,854 m - Pointe de la Fougère
  11. 10 : km 8.4 - alt. 1,699 m - Turn left
  12. 11 : km 9.37 - alt. 1,505 m - Below Pointe de la Fougère
  13. 12 : km 11.61 - alt. 1,063 m - Le Nant Fourchu
  14. 13 : km 12.95 - alt. 961 m - Pont du Plan du Bout
  15. 14 : km 13.57 - alt. 937 m - Pont de l'Étang
  16. S/E : km 14.79 - alt. 871 m - Pont de la Cariat

Notes

The starting point can be seen here.

Good walking boots are recommended.

Take your rubbish away with you! Nature doesn’t cope well with it.

Alternative route: I suggest another alternative route with a slightly different route: click here to view it.

As an option for those who are not comfortable on this type of terrain, a rope is recommended (the Mont Pécloz area and the ridges towards Pointe de la Fougère).
The route is generally in fairly good condition.
At most:
- on the descent from Mont Pécloz towards the pass: visibility of the route is average in a couloir (a tricky, very exposed section).
- after (7): it is advisable to go round the small overhang on the right.
Once on the ridge, you should be careful as there are some steep slopes on the descent and a few exposed sections.
- At (10): visibility of the path to take on the left is average.

There are few markings and signposts:

  • (S/E) signpost at the start of the path,
  • From (2) to (5) no markings or signposts at the Col d'Armène,
  • From (5) to (10) no markings present,
  • From (10) to (12) very irregular yellow and red markings and a few signposts,
  • From (12) to (S/E) a few signposts.

Traffic:

  • around Mont Pécloz (ascent to the summit and descent towards the Col d’Armène) you may encounter a few people (especially at the summit),
  • after Pointe d'Arménaz along the ridge, the route is very quiet (I didn’t come across anyone until Point de la Fougère).
  • beyond Pointe de la Fougère: a quiet spot (I only came across two people at the summit)
  • At the bottom of the valley: moderately busy

Optionally, from Pointe de la Fougère, you can take a path on the left heading due west (steep slope).
The descent can then be made via the route indicated or via Combe Fort (see map).

Worth a visit

  • Prieuré Notre-Dame de Bellevaux: this is a former Cistercian monastery on which the Chapelle de la Sainte-Fontaine was built in 1839. To find out more, click here
  • Chamois: you might be lucky enough to spot a few chamois below Mont Pécloz and Mont Arménaz.
  • I’ve put together a short video of the surrounding area: watch it here.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Charlie 38
Charlie 38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fantastic hike, with beautiful scenery and plenty of chamois all along the way.

However, it’s quite exposed all the way, so not recommended for beginners...

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LAUVERGNE Gérard
LAUVERGNE Gérard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I went on a fantastic two-day hike in the Bauges, setting off from the Couvent car park (Alt: 862 m) in the Bellevaux valley.
Day 1: Heading for Mont de la Coche (Alt: 2070 m) via Chargieux, La Croix d’Allan and Le Plan de la Limace. Then on to the Col d’Orgeval and the ascent of Chaurionde (Alt: 2173 m) and Le Parc à Moutons (Alt: 1859 m). Bivouac above the Col du Haut du Four.
Day 2: Col du Haut du Four and Col de la Fougère (Alt: 1,680 m), Pointe de la Fougère (Alt: 1,849 m), Pointe de Chamosseran (Alt: 1,950 m) (Short climbs to be undertaken with caution, with a drop on both sides), Mont d’Armène (Alt: 2,158 m) and Mont Pécloz (Alt: 2,197 m). Return via the Varapet (western ridge of Pécloz).
It’s a tough one (especially if you’re fully self-sufficient with a bivouac tent, 4 litres of water and food for 2 days), meaning a rucksack of around 13 kg. The elevation gains and losses are significant. There are a few fairly challenging sections
Do not attempt this 2-day hike unless you are in excellent physical condition, have good stamina (and, as always, exercise caution) and, of course, if the weather is not favourable.

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JCParavy
JCParavy

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A circular loop done in the opposite direction (which I think is better, for the climb up the ridge to L'Armène) with two options:
- ascent via the switchbacks then directly to Pointe de la Fougère, without the detour via the Col;
- on the descent, at the Replat d’en Haut, cross via the path cutting across the north face of the mountain towards Les Lozières to descend to the Pont du Plan du Bout (via a very badly worn path), which significantly reduces the distance of road to walk back up.

It had rained heavily the day before and many clouds still clung to the mountains in the morning. It was better to set off late to let the sun do its work and catch up with it on the Fougère ridge: the rest of the route in the sunshine offered fine views.

A circular route well worth recommending, if you’re fit, as it’s long and quite challenging at times.

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KANTDAVIS
KANTDAVIS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike undertaken on a sweltering Sunday under a vast blue sky;
it’s a ‘challenging’ hike, absolutely stunning +++, exactly as described; the section along the Armene ridge to the Pointe de la Fougère seemed more exposed to me than the descent from Pecloz, which wasn’t actually too difficult; the return involves 4 km of tarmac at the end of the route; either hitchhike (which is what I did), or arrange for two cars if you’re setting off in a group;

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