Col des Frêtes and Arête de Talamarche

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, the effort required for the ascent (and descent) is definitely worth it when you arrive at the alpine valley and then climb to the peak and along the ridge. The view of the lake, La Tournette and Mont Blanc simply leaves you speechless!

One thing to bear in mind: the climb, and I would say even more so the descent, is really very steep and even slippery! So be careful, and only attempt this hike if you are comfortable on this type of terrain!!! In my opinion, this is not a "family" hike.

The route took 4 hours and 45 minutes, including breaks.

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Date of your route : Dec 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We attempted this hike in winter: failure! Knee-deep snow from 1,000 metres upwards. Please note that a sign indicates that access is prohibited in wet weather due to unstable ground at the summit, in order to reach the ridge (we did not make it that far). Keep this in mind in case of rainy weather!

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Date of your route : Jul 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with very few people and stunning views of the lake and La Tournette.
Most of the climb is in the shade, which is very pleasant in hot weather.
The round trip can easily be done in 4-5 hours with children.

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Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

1-Time very poorly indicated: done in 3.5 hours, including a lunch break at the top, and I'm not a trail runner at all (though I am somewhat athletic).
2-It's tough going on the way up, but you can manage it. The way back is really painful for your joints, so be careful.
3-On the other hand, the pass is very pretty and there's a beautiful view at the top.
Conclusion: a short hike of 9 to 12 hours to be completed on the pass, just in case.

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Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

There is a car park further up in the forest, the Parking des Dents du Lanfon (smaller capacity than the Villard-Dessus car park). The climb is as indicated on a fairly steep road in the forest, which is of no particular interest. To enjoy the view of the lake mentioned in the description, you need to leave the road leading to the Col des Frêtes at a bend - a clearly visible path that takes you to the pass in less than 10 minutes, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the eastern part of Lake Annecy. Then turn back onto the road that takes you to the Col des Frêtes, where you climb a little further up to the Dent de la Talamarche. A beautiful hike, once you are on the mountain pasture, with views of Mont Blanc, towards Le Grand Bornand, etc.

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Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike with superb scenery and breathtaking views of the lake. However, the view has to be earned as the climb is quite steep and difficult, especially in the first section. Make sure you wear good shoes as there are quite a few rocks.
But otherwise, the route is easy to follow and the view of the lake is well worth the effort!

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Date of your route : Jun 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Round trip hike along the same trail. Good climb to the chalet, just before the Col des Frêtes, then access to sumptuous mountain landscapes. Option for a circular descent via the Col des Frêtes. Pointe and Arête de Talamarche offer a unique view of the lake and Alpine massif. Beautiful hike completed in 4½ hours.

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Good evening, Rody83
There are several ways to find the starting point:
- the IGN map, of course
- the GPS coordinates listed on the technical data sheet
- the blue tab "Click here to find out how to get to the start of the hike" which you will find in the practical information section for the hike.
Enjoy your walks.

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Not enough details about the starting points. They're still nowhere to be found.

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Date of your route : Jun 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike partially completed on 28/05/2017 due to remaining snow. But it is very beautiful from an altitude of 1800-1850 metres, with a superb short section to the south of ~100 metres that is not to be missed once you reach the ridge (fairly logical path). I can't remember if the route description mentions it. Thank you in any case.

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Date of your route : Oct 19, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany hike. The climb up to the mountain pasture is rather tedious, steep and wet. But the reward is worth the effort.
From the ridge, it's easy to reach the Talamarche peak. It would be a shame not to do so.
Truly superb.

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