Round trip to the Col de la Bailletaz from Le Fornet

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Among the many hikes starting from Val d’Isère, the ascent to the Col de la Bailletaz remains very accessible, and the section of the route running along a ridge offers superb views of the Haute Tarentaise and even the source of the Isère. The section leading up to the pass will transport you to a more rocky landscape, with a sweeping view of the Grande Sassière nature reserve.

Details

n°7724570
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,215 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,232 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,354 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,332 ft
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Photos

Fornet Cable Car
Return route along the River Isère
The Isère at Les Gorettes
Alpine flora at Les Gorettes

Description of the walk

From Val d’Isère, take the road to the Col de l’Iseran and stop at Le Fornet. Park in the cable car car park just past the cable car station, below the road.

(S/E) Continue along the road for about 200 m towards Val d’Isère.

(1) Turn right onto the lane called “Chemin de la Bailletaz” and follow it uphill to the start of the footpaths.

(2) At the fork, there are information boards about the Bailletaz Nature Reserve. Turn right towards the Col de la Bailletaz and pass above the village. Follow this balcony path running parallel to the valley.

(3) Leave the path on your right that descends towards Les Gorettes and continue straight on along the balcony path. After crossing a stream in a very rocky area, the path turns north and runs alongside an old dry-stone sheep enclosure.

(4) At the enclosure, ignore the path branching off to the left (west) and continue along the main path, which continues to climb up the Bailletaz valley.

(5) After crossing a stream and rounding a bend to the right, you can just make out a faint path on the left heading west: ignore this path and continue climbing towards the top of the valley.
You will soon reach a scree slope overlooking Lac de la Bailletaz, situated in a small cirque to the left. Continue along the path, which climbs more steeply through the scree to the pass.

(6) At the pass, there is a fine pyramidal cairn and a signpost (2852 m). Head towards “La Sassière”. Very soon, you’ll find yourself directly above Lac du Santel.

(7) After enjoying the lovely views over the lake, head back up to the pass, though it is possible to descend to the lakeshore by continuing a little further along a few hairpin bends.

(6) Retrace your steps along the path until you reach the junction from the outward journey.

(3) There, follow the path which descends to the left and joins the road at La Gorette.

(8) Just below the water intake station, cross the road and, on the other side, rejoin the path that descends towards the river: follow the sign for “Le Fornet via Le Plan du Fornet”.

(9) Cross the Isère via a lovely footbridge and follow the river along the left bank.

(10) Cross the Isère again to take the track that passes under the cable car. Walk uphill to the road.

(1) Follow the road to the right and return to the cable car car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,381 ft - Car park at the - Téléphérique du Fornet
  2. 1 : mi 0.12 - alt. 6,348 ft - Path leading uphill from the start of the trails
  3. 2 : mi 0.23 - alt. 6,486 ft - Signs – Junction
  4. 3 : mi 0.76 - alt. 6,801 ft - Junction of the circular Planets loop
  5. 4 : mi 1.84 - alt. 8,274 ft - Dry stone enclosures
  6. 5 : mi 2.28 - alt. 8,793 ft - Path junction: straight ahead
  7. 6 : mi 2.87 - alt. 9,350 ft - Col de la Bailletaz
  8. 7 : mi 3.38 - alt. 9,124 ft - Above the - Lac du Santel
  9. 8 : mi 6.27 - alt. 6,578 ft - Les Gorettes water intake station
  10. 9 : mi 6.48 - alt. 6,411 ft - Planets Footbridge - Isère (rivière)
  11. 10 : mi 6.77 - alt. 6,342 ft - Fornet footbridge
  12. S/E : mi 7.06 - alt. 6,381 ft - Car park at the - Téléphérique du Fornet

Notes

This is a mountain trail, the main challenges of which lie near the Col de la Bailletaz (steep slopes over scree). Appropriate kit is therefore essential.
There are no shelters along the route, so it’s best to plan this hike for a fine day, especially as the scenery is best enjoyed with good visibility.
There is no drinking water on the trail, but to cool off, a few of the streams you cross still have a trickle of water in summer.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

A possible extension to this hike is to descend to Lac de la Sassière, and perhaps return to Val d’Isère via the Picheru pass, following the reverse route of the Glacier and Lac de Rhêmes-Golette hike; however, this results in a route of a completely different scale and one that is much more difficult.

From the start of the Combe de la Bailletaz, you can see the Cirque des Sources de l’Isère and, at the same time, the setting for the‘Col de la Lose, in the realm of ibex, chamois and marmots’ walk, which can be started from Pont Saint-Charles, a few hundred metres from our location (8).

Above Le Fornet, instead of heading towards La Bailletaz, you can take the balcony path that leads towards Val d’Isère as far as La Daille, where you can enjoy beautiful views over the whole resort.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
stjo
stjo

Thank you @Liguori for this idea to extend the circuit (ascent to the peak of La Bailletaz).
I would add that for the brave, after descending to Lac de la Sassière from Col de la Bailletaz, it is possible to do a large circular loop back to Val d'Isère via the Picheru pass. Someone in my family has done this and had no difficulty.

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Liguori
Liguori

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did the circuit, climbing up from Le Fornet and descending to Lac de la Sassière, then to the Sault car park (returning by hitchhiking). I would like to point out to enthusiasts that once you reach the Col de la Bailletaz, it is really worth climbing the Pointe de la Baillettaz (allow 40 minutes for the ascent), which is very accessible despite its forbidding appearance from the pass. Follow the ridge to the left (west) coming from the pass, on an unmarked path that continues to the summit. There are no exposed sections, it's just a little steep in places. The view from the summit is much better than from the pass. You may see ibex on the way up. And it's a "3000", exactly 3061m.
Liguori

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stjo
stjo

@Mélanie73170 Just before you reach Le Cret on the way down from Picheru, there’s a lovely ridge path that leads to Le Fornet (the starting point of the Bailletaz route) via Les Barmettes, with views overlooking Val d’Isère the whole way.

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berenpapaye
berenpapaye

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The trail, which climbs at a steady gradient through the nature reserve, is well-marked and presents no difficulties. There are plenty of marmots along the trail. The view from the pass is superb, and it’s a good idea to head down a little way on the other side so you can see both lakes.
Thanks to stjo for sharing this route and its details with us.

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stjo
stjo
• Edited:

@Mélanie73170 “It’s a shame that the Visorando route doesn’t take you down to Lac de la Sassière, as it’s absolutely stunning.”: I’d like to remind you that the walks published here are posted by walkers who contribute to the Visorando website, not by Visorando itself. Every route can obviously be improved, and mine are no exception. I mentioned the descent to Lac de la Sassière and the return via Picheru because this section, as I pointed out, forms part of the ‘Glacier and Lac de Rhêmes-Golette ’ walk in the opposite direction – see my section ‘During the walk or nearby’. But I didn’t do it because my aim was a round trip to the Col de la Bailletaz. You did it, and that’s great. What would be even better is if you were to publish your own version of this hike, with descriptions and photos; that would be of interest to other hikers, myself included.
Best regards.
stjo

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Mélanie73170
Mélanie73170

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A hike with magnificent views!
The climb to the top of the pass is a bit long but steady (no overly steep sections). We came across lots of marmots during the hike. The view at the top is splendid and well worth the effort of the climb!
It’s a shame that the Visorando route doesn’t take you down to Lac de la Sassière, as it’s absolutely stunning.
We chose to return via the Picheru Pass, which takes you to Le Cret (in Val d’Isère) and avoids having to retrace your steps (note: the descent is a bit technical, as you go from 2,770m to 1,810m in just a few kilometres).

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