From Col des Près to Pointe des Torchets

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Regarding the description, in point 3, there is a cairn and an arrow engraved on one of the trees at the intersection.
The yellow and green markings are sometimes difficult to see, but the route is easy to follow thanks to a path covered with well-trodden dead leaves. The climb southwards is steady with a few slightly steeper sections.
At an altitude of 1,500 metres, there are two options: 1- Follow the green arrow on a vertical slab, which takes you through a small gap in the rocks and immediately leads to a rocky ridge (a great place for a picnic!) with unobstructed views of the Colombier d'Aillon, Mont Pelat, etc. to the east.
2- Avoid this passage and take a clearly visible path on the right that winds between rocky outcrops and descends to the Col du Pré de la Roche. The Pointe des Torchets is a few dozen metres further on, but the summit is not at all clear and there is no view of the surrounding peaks.
The best option is to return to point 1500 m for a well-deserved meal!
Return by following the route in reverse.
From the starting point: 7.3 km, elevation gain: 514 m

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Date of your route : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Several comments:
Point 4 does not correspond to the place where you can see the panoramic views, but to a wooded area where you cannot see any of the surrounding mountains! (See the photos I have attached).
The route (the straight segments!) does not correspond to reality and cannot be used for orientation. And the description gives no indication.
Between point 2 and point 3, the path is covered with leaves. At several points, it is no longer visible and the yellow markings are not always visible either. We therefore had to turn back twice. Fortunately, the direction leaves little room for doubt and you always end up finding your way back.
Some sections are quite steep (classified as a medium hike?) and make the descent slippery due to the carpet of dead leaves.
The only interesting thing about this hike is the view from the summit.

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

The signposting was either missing or, after a crossroads, 'confused' by other signposting that contradicted your directions. We reported this to the local tourist office in AILLON LE JEUNE (Savoie). The person we spoke to said they would 'pass on' this comment to the local managers of the GR and other trails.
Thank you.

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Date of your route : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely climb under trees that are very pleasant during the first warm days. The slopes are sometimes steep, which is why the difficulty rating is closer to medium. The markings are discreet but you can still find your way. At the finish, the view of the Chartreuse and Bauges mountains is magnificent.
Recommended for its tranquillity and calm.

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

A pleasant, risk-free hike through the woods, ideal for starting the season.
The easy rating is not entirely appropriate as the second part – which is steeper – can be surprising; this section could be classified as moderate.
Finally, for the south-facing section after the kern, you will need to look for the faded paint markings (yellow and green, then yellow alone).

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Date of your route : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The route is technically easy but very steep, especially the second part leading up to the summit. We think it would be better to rate it as moderately difficult. In addition, the route is listed as taking 2 hours and 50 minutes, but that is only the time for the ascent. In total, it took us 4 hours to complete the round trip. The explanations are very clear. However, we are not experienced hikers. As we reached the summit in thick fog, we couldn't see a thing, and as the entire route is in the forest, there are no views. On the other hand, there were lots of mushrooms (few of which were edible).

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Date of your route : Jun 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This short hike looked promising. We made it to marker 3 without any problems. However, after about 500 metres, the path disappeared and we had to make our way through the woods. We turned back. It's a shame because there's really no one else on this trail.
So we were very disappointed with this hike.
Not recommended.

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Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very well marked. A lovely view at the summit. A pleasant climb through the forest in hot weather.

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Date of your route : Oct 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good description and good route on the map; unlike the IGN map, which shows a path that has probably disappeared, leading south before the junction towards Rocquerand.
A lovely little walk with a 400-metre elevation gain, fairly sustained.
A few cairns provide reassurance and confirmation of the route.
At the start of the Col des Pres road, two signs point towards Rocquerand and Col des Vernes, which is reassuring!

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Date of your route : Apr 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk, a little steep in places for little legs, but everyone made it to the top.
The "yellow and green" trail is indeed quite faint! But it leads to the ridge where we stopped, above the peak.
There is now a good sign at the point where you have to turn south.
At this time of year, the beech trees have not yet sprouted their leaves, and we enjoyed the sunshine.
Beautiful views over the Chambéry valley and, to the east, over Les Bauges and Mont Blanc beyond.
It was surprising and worrying to see how dry the mountain was on 24 April 2017. Let's hope that water will eventually fall from the sky!
Note that the bistro opposite La Fruitière opens at 1:06 p.m., just in time for our return!

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Date of your route : Aug 17, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I haven't done this hike recently, but I regularly pass by the road where the trailhead is located, which is well described in the guidebook. I just want to point out that at the trailhead, by the side of the road, the signs are still in place, so you can't go wrong.

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Good evening and thank you, Etaix, for this detailed information.
I think our friend Bisserain73, the author of this hike, will respond shortly.

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Initially, there is no bathtub, but wooden signposts: the plateau, Col des Vernes.
Specify that the hike starts with a steep path; the sign for Le Replat is at the edge of the forest, not in the meadow.
Specify that you must go to the cairn and turn 180° to the left. There are no signs at this location (which is unfortunate).
Specify that the hike then continues with a series of very steep sections until you reach the summit. Keep to the same route, as many of the markings are missing and not everyone has a GPS.
Be careful at the summit with children, as if you turn right, there is a cliff immediately there.
For the descent, be careful on the steep slopes depending on the season. Yesterday, after a downpour, it was quite slippery on a thick carpet of dead leaves, with hidden roots and stones.
But it really is a beautiful hike. Short but beautiful.
Thank you.

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Hello and thank you, etaix.
What suggestions do you have for improving the description and map of this hike?

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The hike is described as easy. This is true in terms of duration, but some parts of the path are very steep and slippery on the way down due to the presence of numerous dead leaves.
Apparently, this is a little-used hike, and the path is not necessarily well marked.
I followed the Visorando route, which is marked with faint yellow/green markings.
A peaceful hike, the route is through the forest, and the sublime view only appears at the summit.
A beautiful walk.

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