Access
From Annemasse (Geneva), take the A40 (Chamonix), then the A41 (Annecy). Take exit 19 (La Roche-sur-Foron); drive down the D1203 towards La Roche-sur-Foron (Eteaux), exit on the right and follow the signs for "Annecy" to rejoin the D1203 in the right direction. A few kilometres after the Col d'Évires, the road descends and you turn left onto the Route des Laffins, which you follow to Thorens-Glières. Once in the centre of this village, turn left twice (D55, Route des Glières); follow this road towards the "Plateau des Glières". Shortly before the Plateau, the road descends slightly and at a place called 'Les Collets', take the Chemin du Collet which descends to the right, towards 'Paccot' 'Les Mouilles', Restaurant Gautard (Chez Nathalie et Jean-Claude). Continue to the end and park in the restaurant car park.
(S/E) At the end of the car park on the left, at "Paccot Sud", follow the signs for "Les Mouilles, Chalets des Auges". Take the small path that runs alongside a stream before climbing a little to the Chalet des Mouilles (1,500 m). There is a beautiful view on the right of the rocky chain, which has five peaks and two ridges.
(1) Continue straight ahead (north-east, towards Les Auges); the Rochers de Leschaux are just opposite (you can also see the Pointe d'Andey). Cross a large meadow, keeping slightly to the right. Pass "Plan des Mouilles", continuing to follow "Chalets des Auges" and straight ahead to the edge of the forest.
(2) Take the path that enters the forest and climbs slowly but surely in hairpin bends, becoming quite steep, in a beautiful setting of spruce trees and a few large rocks.
When you leave the forest, you will arrive at "Plan du Loup" at an altitude of 1,670 metres; you will see Pointe de Puvat in front of you (topped by a cross - 1,909 metres).
Turn right towards "Col de l'Ovine" for 150 metres and you will come to a fork.
(3) Do not continue towards "Chapelle ND des Neiges", but turn left towards the rock faces (follow the existing tracks; there should be some). The path climbs more or less steadily up the sometimes quite steep slopes and gradually approaches the rock faces with a succession of ascents and small descents. Beautiful views of Montagne des Frêtes, Sous-Dine, La Tête, the Fillière valley, Plan de l'Aigle, Parmelan, Mont Téret, Tête Noire, Tête Ronde, the Jura; the Plaine de Dran and the Bois des Lanches are below.
(4) At the foot of a steep slope, the trail turns left, crosses a small corridor and, after one last effort, you reach the ridge and the Col de l'Ovine at 1,786 metres.
(5) The view that awaits you is truly unforgettable: the aforementioned peaks to the north-west, but above all, Pointe de Puvat (on your left), Ovine, Balme and Queblette (on your right), Tournette, part of Les Bauges, the impressive face of Mont Lachat opposite you, part of the Aravis, Jallouvre, and so much more!
The scenery is truly splendid, with beautiful pristine snow-covered slopes and a very soothing calm. If the sun is shining, it's really great. You can easily reach the summit of Pointe de Puvat (be careful though) as well as those of Ovine and Balme; if you feel like reaching the summit of Pointe de la Québlette, be very careful.
(6) To return, retrace your steps, descending a short distance until the slope on your left becomes reasonable
(4) (there are often tracks already), head straight ahead (more or less!) towards the chalet that you can see below (west). Cross a sparse forest and pass to the left of the chalet.
(7) Continue straight ahead across a small plateau before returning to the forest and a well-marked path that crosses the Bois des Lanches before reaching Les Mouilles.
(1) Turn left and head for the car park (S/E).
