Boucles des Plagnes - Trail 2000 - Col de Claran

This is a very pretty route through the mountain pastures to the Col de Claran, offering panoramic views of all the mountains in the Bauges and Chartreuse regions in particular, but also far beyond, as far as Mont Blanc and Mont Aiguille.
The circuit is very well marked with traditional yellow signs and markings on the rocks at regular intervals.

Details

78495
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 516 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 511 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,092 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,636 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) From the Super Collet car park, head towards the Col de l'Occiput, initially following the Claran chairlift, known as the Plagnes chairlift on IGN maps.

(1) As you climb, leave the path that leads to the Refuge de la Pierre du Carré on your right. This will be the path you take on your return. Leave the chairlift and turn left onto a steep climb to the Col de l'Occiput.

(2) From the pass, the route continues south-east (azimuth approximately 150°), passing under the chairlift and then near a ski lift, before reaching the chairlift's arrival station.
Near the arrival point of the Claran chairlift, don't miss the superb orientation table.

(3) From the orientation table, take trail 2000, which has about fifteen stations. The rest of the route is a ridge trail, bordered on the right by the mountain pasture and on the left by a more wooded slope. Continuing in a south-easterly direction, you will reach the Col de Claran (1,956 m) via a short descent.

(4) From the pass, take the path back to the Super Collet station, following the signs and markings on the right.
You will leave the mountain pastures behind and follow a path through rhododendrons and blueberry bushes.

(5) Along the way, you can take a right to reach the Col de l'Occiput, or continue along the balcony trail.

(6) Pass above the Refuge de la Pierre du Carré, the trail crosses several streams and winds through the forest before emerging above the small Lac du Collet. The resort is now clearly visible.

(1) Return to the car park via the route taken at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,636 m - Departure from the car park
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 1,719 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 1.32 - alt. 1,870 m - Col de l'Occiput
  4. 3 : km 2.75 - alt. 2,075 m - Orientation table
  5. 4 : km 4.25 - alt. 1,956 m - Col de Claran
  6. 5 : km 5.01 - alt. 1,896 m - Option to return via the Occiput
  7. 6 : km 5.35 - alt. 1,786 m - Above the Refuge de la Pierre du Carré
  8. S/E : km 7.83 - alt. 1,636 m - Return to the car park

Notes

The 2000 trail was created in the 2000s and is located at an altitude of 2000m. The green information boards are attached to cairns, making it easy to follow the trail.

In September 2014, work is underway on the trail but this does not hinder passage.
A flock of 2,000 sheep grazes on the mountain pasture. Gas cannons emit regular loud bangs to scare away wolves when the sheep are penned in. The bangs stop when the sheep are in the mountain pasture under the shepherd's watchful eye.

On the way back, a small cable-assisted passage makes it easier to cross a ledge between (6) and (1)

Worth a visit

From the Col de Claran, it is possible to extend the hike with a return trip to the Petit Charnier (2,181 m) via a path that remains south-east facing.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 36 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Poulet Hubert
Poulet Hubert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant stroll just a stone's throw from home

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Cessou73
Cessou73

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It was my first "real" hike (lasting several hours) in my entire life at the age of 36. I found it relatively easy to follow (although I got lost towards the end because I was following the signs and not the Visiorando route). The climb seemed endless because the landscape doesn't change much. After an hour, it's still nice to reach the top, have a picnic on a table and admire the view. The descent is a bit "samey" at first (ridge) and then there are more changes in the terrain. The scenery remains very beautiful throughout. The only question I had was what the description in Point 5 meant when it said whether reaching the Col de l'Occiput allowed you to make a loop or not, i.e. whether it was a one-way or a return trip. I wondered how much time this would add and decided not to do it. I would add that 80% of the time you are exposed to direct sunlight.

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cyrielle.boi
cyrielle.boi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The climb is a bit long on the slopes, but then you reach a much wilder section, steeply sloping ridges, which are very beautiful at this time of year. View of the Glezin glacier, at the top

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Françoise rabate
Françoise rabate

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful panorama of ridges with colourful paragliders dancing in the air.
The way back was quite icy, so crampons came in handy.

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beaune73
beaune73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As described, the route in this direction seems to me to be the most beautiful! A tough and long climb to start with, but the effort is rewarded with a breathtaking view! Then descend towards the pass along the ridges and the trail continues along a balcony
Not to be attempted in very hot weather!

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bebert38
bebert38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The directions at the start are a little confusing... Forget the Chapelle du Bard and look for the Collet d'Allevard, then Super Collet. The climb is tough at the start, and we did the route in fog, so we didn't get to see the view! We'll have to do it again

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Linotte38
Linotte38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A somewhat challenging climb on a wide, stony path that follows the ski slopes...
Don't hesitate to make a detour to the viewpoint below the Col de l'Occiput, it's really worth it!
From Les Plagnes to the Col de Claran, the ridge trail is wilder and the views are magnificent.
There is very little shade on this first part of the route.
On the way back, the Pierre du Carre refuge offers a beautiful view of the Veyton valley and a fountain to cool off )
The trail after the Pierre du Carre has a few tricky sections, which should be avoided after rain or by those prone to vertigo.
A well-marked hike with superb views of the surrounding mountains.

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kobolds
kobolds

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

the start is uninspiring, with ski lifts, but once you reach the chairlift station, you're off on a wilder route, along a ridge and then a balcony, which is very pleasant and pretty. The view is fantastic.
We hesitated a little on the route because the snow covered a good part of the paths from the Col de l'Occiput and on the descent, we took a small ridge line to the left, rather than going down to the right, on the slope of the chairlift, which was very pleasant, and we came out onto the wide track that leads back to the car park. Thank you for this itinerary, a great time, a treat for the eyes and the legs, with varied trails.

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baujurando
baujurando
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

this hike was undertaken in unusual conditions: recent snowfall and high avalanche risk. So we opted for a short route that had the advantage of offering a ridge walk and beautiful views.
For the return trip, we had to change the route to avoid the slopes after the Claran Pass. We opted for a loop back via the Occiput Pass.
Snowshoe hike in winter conditions.

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X DE LA BACE
X DE LA BACE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

When you arrive at the chairlift, take the wide cow path that climbs to the right, following the restaurant. You will arrive at a second chairlift, where you turn left to enter the forest. This is the most interesting part of the route, up to the Col de Claran. The detour to the Pierre Carré refuge is not worth the effort. From the pass, you can climb up the small ridge. The return to Plagne 2000 past the kernes is not particularly interesting.

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Brigitte-c-moi
Brigitte-c-moi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At the summit, there is a MAGNIFICENT 360° view! And as a bonus, you can see Mont Blanc
A must-do! The return trip is a bit steep, so keep children safe

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randonneur38
randonneur38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very nice to do. Don't do it backwards as some people recommend, unless you're a very good walker.
there's a small detour at the end, making the route 12 km long.
gentiane is worth seeing for the impressive view, and don't miss the orientation tables... very pretty, not knowing the area, I wasn't disappointed
sunglasses:

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Carole Ge
Carole Ge
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done with the family with children aged 11, 12 and 16. To start, go directly to the Super Collet car park. The hike begins with a steep climb to the Col de l'Occiput, followed by another steep climb to the chairlift arrival station.
But you quickly forget all that because the 360° view is breathtaking. The weather was clear enough to see Mont Blanc.
We went to the orientation table via a small path on the side of the chairlift station. This orientation table is not signposted, just "viewpoint", but it is really worth the detour.
We continued to the Col du Claran, then followed the path on the right. On the way, we could see the refuge below, but we continued towards the Super Collet. The descent is steep in places, and you need to use your hands a little to climb. Some sections are in the forest, with lots of roots along the trail and small streams. This descent can be tricky with young children as it is a bit technical in places, where there is a cable to help you climb.
i would still classify this hike as medium difficulty because of the descent.

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mamicath
mamicath

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did the route in the opposite direction. I had already done it this way a few years ago.
After the intersection, the climb is very steep on rocky ground.
Until intersection 6, you climb through the woods and are in the shade of the mountain, which is much preferable in hot weather. From point 5 onwards, the view is unobstructed, first to the south, then to the north and west from the Claran pass.
The descent from the orientation table is very easy.
Magnificent viewpoint on a clear day to the north, west and south. To the east, you can "only" see the neighbouring peaks.

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Netra
Netra ★

Hello Isabelle, and thank you for your comments.

In what way was the description disappointing? What suggestions would you have to improve it? Thank you in advance.

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