Château d'Oche from Bise

Starting point and access:
From Vacheresse, follow the road towards Bise/Ubine then Bise. Traffic is prohibited just before the Bise chalets: park at an angle in the car park provided at the side of the road.

Where signposting exists, it is sparse. Directional signs at major junctions.

No signposting

(S/E) Continue along the road towards the chalets and cross the old car park.

Red and white markings

(1) Near a concrete bridge over a river, a sign indicates the Col de Bise is 1 hour 25 minutes away (rough estimate). Follow the direction indicated: do not cross the river but take a wide path that goes round a small promontory to the right. You will reach a flat area where you must cross a stream.

(2) At the fork, take the path on the right, which climbs straight up through the pastures towards the Col de Bise. The climb becomes steep and the path winds several times. Go round a spruce-covered hillock on the right (elevation 1757m). The pass is then clearly visible to the north. The path continues northwards and, after a few short, steep switchbacks, reaches the Col de Bise.

(3) At the pass, continue north-north-west downhill towards the Col de Pavis. At a fork in the road, turn left, still heading towards the Col de Pavis, and traverse the hillside. Further on, ignore a path ascending from Lac de Neteu. Climb slightly, pass the Col de Pavis and, about 150m further on, reach a fork in the road.

(4) Turn right towards Les Portes d’Oche (ignore the path on the left which descends towards Lac de Darbon).

Unmarked

(5) Leave the main path and take a track to the right towards the Roc du Château d'Oche. Follow steep switchbacks up a grassy slope. Continue through a rocky gully. At the exit (cairn), turn left and emerge onto a grassy plateau.

(6) Then head northwards up a path that winds through a vast pasture. Keep to the right to approach the summit ridge. Turn left to follow the ridge whilst staying below it. Pass in front of a small natural stone arch and climb a short rocky gully. At the top, turn right and make a few short switchbacks to reach the summit, where two small crosses, one wooden and one metal, have been erected.

(7) The descent follows the same route (see alternative routes in the practical information). Two points to note:
- From the summit (7), aim for the flat area (6) by looking for a rectangle of stones on the hillock (the last remains of a ruined shelter).
- From the flat area (6), turn left (east) to find the cairn marking the top of the rocky gully.
This will take you back to the Chalets de Bise and then to the car park by the roadside (S/E).

Hiking boots are essential.

In summer, at the Chalets de Bise: water, food and drink, CAF refuge. In winter, and until April, the road leading to the Chalets de Bise is closed.

A detailed map is required (at the very least the one accompanying this description).

Alternative return routes:
Return via Lac de Darbon - On reaching the Fork in the road (4), turn right and descend to Lac de Darbon. Keep the lake on your right and immediately head back up towards the Col de Floray. N.B. The Col de Floray is incorrectly marked on the map! It is further south, at the junction at the foot of the Pointe des Fires. At the pass, take the left-hand path down a steep, ravined descent towards Bise. Head south-east further down and rejoin the fork (2). Then head back to the Chalets de Bise by following the path taken on the way up in the opposite direction. Allow for an additional 150m of elevation gain.
Return via the Crête du Velan - At the Col de Bise (3), head left along the ridge and follow the Tête de Charousse and Crête du Velan route from point (3) to the Chalets de Bise.

Recommendations:
The Bise and Ugeon mountain pastures are grazed by herds: dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
This route crosses the Cornettes de Bise protected natural area. The following are prohibited: picking or gathering plants; littering; motor vehicles; campfires; wild camping and bivouacking.
See detailed regulations: Biotope Protection (APPB) - Pays d'Evian Vallée d'Abondance

A climb set against the magnificent backdrop of Bise. Superb views from the summit: Lake Geneva and the Dent d’Oche, the Vaud Alps (Tours d’Aï and de Mayen, Diablerets), the Valais Alps (Taney massif, Grand Combin, Dents du Midi), the peaks of the Vallée d’Abondance (Cornettes de Bise, Mont de Grange, Mont Chauffé), and the Mont Blanc massif.