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Park in the large car park at Col de la Charmette.
(S/E) Take the forest track called Sentier de la Cochette below the car park, heading north-east, which separates the meadow from the forest: there is a large information board at the start of the track. Continue straight ahead on this track, ignoring the other paths or tracks that branch off to the right or left. Initially slightly uphill, the track becomes noticeably steeper after crossing a stream (often dry) and then turns right to reach a crossroads.
(1) Continue straight ahead on the track, ignoring the path that branches off to the left towards the Col de la Cochette. A few minutes later, the track ends at a water source, the roof of which is visible. A path continues on to a valley and then a large cattle trough (fence to cross). Continue up the valley along the path, which is not always obvious, then leave the forest and reach the mountain pastures (large rock at the entrance to the pasture).
(2) Climb up the mountain pastures via the obvious trail near the valley. After an initial steep section, the trail levels out as it reaches Pré Batard, before becoming steep again. Continue along the trail to the top of the mountain pasture, where the slope levels out again and you will come to two small chasms on your left.
(3) At this point, leave the trail and take another trail on the right towards the Chamechine ridge. The start of the trail is not very marked, but the direction is obvious and you will quickly find it a few dozen metres further on. Continue along the trail to the ridge , where you will enjoy a beautiful view, particularly of the Grande Chartreuse monastery.
(4) Continue to the right along the ridge on the obvious path. Cross a first ledge to reach a new mountain pasture, with another beautiful view. Continue along the path for a good hundred metres.
(5) Turn left diagonally onto a less obvious path that leads towards some rocks: the fork is before the descent, but if you miss it, there is another path - also less obvious - a hundred metres further on that branches off to the left and rejoins the route. After crossing the rocks, the path becomes very obvious again and then steepens sharply for the final ascent to Charmant Som.
The last part requires vigilance and attention as the ascent ends with a chimney, but this does not present any particular difficulties: you can use your hands if necessary. This chimney leads to the summit, where you will probably find the crowd that has come from the hostel.
(6) From the summit, there are several paths leading back to the Charmant Som hostel. I recommend taking the one that descends to the right before the secondary summit, then after a few zigzags, continuing to the right along the ridge (beautiful views) before returning to the hostel.
(7) From the inn, reach the Alpage du Charmant Som fork either by taking the road or the path below it (choice of route). To take the latter, cross the car park (heading east), continue on the path for 60 m, then take the track that branches off to the right.
(8) At the Alpage du Charmant Som sign (1,640 m), turn right onto the track towards Col de la Charmette: signposted "2.5 km - 1 hour". Continue along the track which enters the forest, then makes a wide circular turn to the left towards the south.
(9) Leave the track, which has become grassy, and take the path that descends to the right, indicated by a post with a yellow arrow. After a series of hairpin bends, the path joins a forest track which you follow to reach Col de la Charmette (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
