Mont Charvet ridge via the Rocher de Villeneuve and the Col Grande Pierre

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Situated at the entrance to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, the route passes via the Rocher de Villeneuve, the Crête du Mont Charvet, and the Golet and Grande Pierre passes. It nevertheless offers a breathtaking panorama of the Vanoise glaciers and the Vallée des Avalles. A ridge walk winding its way through the numerous glacial cones that dot this long trail all the way to the Col de la Grande Pierre.

Details

n°3497503
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.23 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,688 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,655 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,930 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,551 ft
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Photos

Viewpoint
La Montagne chalets
Col de Grande Pierre
Crête du Mont Charvet

Description of the walk

Drive up towards Pralognan-la-Vanoise via the D915. 1 km from Pralognan-la-Vanoise, turn right onto the road to the village of La Croix, continue for 500 m and park at the entrance to the village, in the car park.

(S/E) Set off from the village of La Croix and turn left. After the reservoir, follow the signposted direction for Rocher de Villeneuve (3 hrs). After walking through the village, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(1) At the signpost, turn right towards Crête du Mont Charvet via the Sentier des Envers. The path is quite steep to begin with but then becomes a series of hairpin bends.
Ignore all paths branching off to the left until you reach a crossroads by two chalets, where there is a sign for Les Rossechets.

(2) Continue to the right along the path, which descends slightly before levelling out, to reach the Chalets de Laitet. Continue along the path through the mountain pasture to reach the Col du Golet.

(3) Turn right to reach the Rocher de Villeneuve and its plateau, with views of the Grand Bec overlooking the cliff where you can see the village of Chamberanger.

(4) From the Rocher de Villeneuve, retrace your steps back to the Col du Golet.

(3) At the pass, follow the signposted route straight ahead towards the Col de la Grande Pierres. Continue along the Crête du Charvet and ignore a path on the right (elevation 2079). The path turns southwards to reach a junction.

(5) Ignore the path branching off to the right towards Lac de la Rosière and continue along the long path on the Crête du Mont Charvet to reach the Col de Grande Pierre (elevation 2393).

(6) Turn left, north-east, via the Couloir de la Grande Pierre at the signpost indicating ‘La Montagne’. Follow this path. Before July, the path may be covered with snowfields in places. Reach the next junction.

(7) Turn right to reach the junction with the track and follow this track to the right, following the signpost indicating the direction of La Croix, to reach the start of a path on the left. Please note: there are no signposts.

(8) Turn left onto the footpath to reach a junction; then continue left along the descending path to join the track, which is suitable for vehicles, and follow it for about a hundred metres.

(9) Follow the signs for La Croix. Pass the Rocher des Fattes headland and its viewpoint.

(10) Retrace your steps to the previous fork and turn left onto the shaded path, continuing until you reach a crossroads.

(11) Turn left and stay on the descending path to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,551 ft - Car park in the village of La Croix. Near the - Doron de Bozel (rivère)
  2. 1 : mi 0.14 - alt. 4,613 ft - Towards Crête du Mont Charvet
  3. 2 : mi 1.05 - alt. 6,243 ft - Les Rossechets. Signpost
  4. 3 : mi 1.84 - alt. 6,841 ft - Col du Golet (2079m)
  5. 4 : mi 2.06 - alt. 7,169 ft - Rocher de Villeneuve
  6. 5 : mi 2.6 - alt. 6,975 ft - La Rosière crossroads
  7. 6 : mi 3.93 - alt. 7,854 ft - Col de la Grande Pierre (2393m)
  8. 7 : mi 4.45 - alt. 6,729 ft - Crossroads
  9. 8 : mi 4.9 - alt. 6,450 ft - Start of the trail
  10. 9 : mi 5.18 - alt. 6,060 ft - Junction
  11. 10 : mi 5.3 - alt. 6,020 ft - Rocher des Fattes Viewpoint
  12. 11 : mi 5.61 - alt. 5,463 ft - Junction
  13. S/E : mi 6.23 - alt. 4,554 ft - Car park in the village of La Croix

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Gilles42
Gilles42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A stunning view from the top of the Villeneuve rock. The ridge of Mont Charvet is quite distinctive, with a series of small basins home to endemic flora.

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