Col de la Buffaz, Col de l’Ovine and Glières plateau, circular route

A beautiful but long hike with magnificent views of the Aravis range, the Glières plateau, Mont Lachat, La Tournette, and Mont Blanc in the background. The climb to the Col de l’Ovine is challenging as it is long and steep, but the view is well worth the effort. The rest of the hike is gentle, apart from a short climb on the path after La Rosière. This forest path has a few steep sections. Signposts are placed at all junctions.

Details

n°25676160

Creation:
19 Aug 2022

Last update:
01 Oct 2022

Last review:
20 Dec 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 16.15 km
Average duration: 7h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 895 m
Descent: - 895 m
Highest point: 1,793 m
Lowest point: 979 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Aravis and Bornes, Plateau des Glières
District: Thônes (74230)
Start/End: N 45.916134° / E 6.323479°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3430ET, 3430ETR, 3430OT, 3431OT, 3431OTR, 3531OT, 3531OTR
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Description of the walk

Park at the Crêt car park, where a dozen spaces await you at the end of the tarmac road.

(S/E) Take the stony path that continues from the road.

(1) Look out for the return path on the left and continue straight on to the Col de la Buffaz.

(2) Go round the sheepfold on the left, then turn right onto the winding path.

(3) Pass the Chalet de l'Ovine on your left and continue straight on, almost level.

(4) Continue to the right and reach the Col de l'Ovine.

(5) Head down to the left towards the Glières plateau.

(6) At Plan du Loup, take the correct path on the left towards the Chalet du Loup and the Crêt car park, which is already signposted. Follow this path downhill for about 4 km to join another main path which forms part of the^GR®96(marked in white and red).

(7) Turn right to reach the Notre-Dame des Neiges Chapel.

(8) Turn back.

(7) Continue straight on down the^GR®96to La Rosière, a hamlet nestled amongst rocky outcrops in the forest.

(9) Take the path on the left towards the Refuge de la Têtaz and the Crêt car park.

(10) From the refuge, continue along the gently descending path. Ignore the paths leading down to the right or up to the left and rejoin the wide stony track you took on the way up.

(2) Turn right and follow it down to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 979 m - Crêt car park (alt. 980m)
1 : km 0.45 - alt. 1,065 m - Junction of the circular loop
2 : km 2.66 - alt. 1,503 m - Col de la Buffaz (1501m)
3 : km 3.5 - alt. 1,750 m - Junction at the Chalet de l’Ovine
4 : km 4.01 - alt. 1,793 m - Junction, on the right
5 : km 4.81 - alt. 1,779 m - Col de l'Ovine (1786m)
6 : km 5.61 - alt. 1,682 m - Plan du Loup, on the left
7 : km 9.14 - alt. 1,442 m - Junction of the GR96 and GRP
8 : km 9.43 - alt. 1,454 m - Notre-Dame des Neiges
9 : km 12.29 - alt. 1,200 m - La Rosière
10 : km 13.27 - alt. 1,254 m - Refuge de la Têtaz (1248m)
S/E : km 16.15 - alt. 979 m - Crêt car park

Notes

On the plateau, between points (6) and (7), you will be 1 or 2 km from the Col des Glières, the Maison du Plateau and its car park, if required.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

Hugo38500

20 Dec 2023 at 23:04 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely long winter circular loop 👌🏻

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GuyBonnet

08 Oct 2023 at 18:51 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The same route can be taken starting from the house on the Glières plateau. The route rejoins the path at the chapel. We start from a higher point and the elevation gain is reduced. The hike takes 6 hours. It’s a very interesting route starting from the Col de la Buffaz, offering magnificent views of the surrounding mountain ranges and then of the Glières plateau.

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Bidou61

02 Aug 2023 at 17:51 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike with a very varied route. We spotted birds of prey on the way up to the Col de l'Ovine and a marmot with its young on the way down from the Col de l'Ovine (in the scree slopes on the left-hand side). There were lots of herds of cows on the Glières plateau, making it difficult to have a picnic between point 6 and the Notre Dame des Neiges Chapel; other possible spots include the Chalet de la Tetaz or the viewpoint just beyond.
The path between La Rosière and the Chalet de la Tetaz, and the one between the Chalet and the return track, are very narrow and require a bit of care (but pose no particular risk). Thanks to the author for this route.

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symov

17 Oct 2022 at 09:21 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A long, very pleasant walk to enjoy in dry weather

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