Haute Pointe, Chavasse and Chalune loop from Sommand

Author's update on 08/09/2025:

• addition of notes regarding the presence of sheep during the summer
• indications of a less difficult route avoiding access to Pointe de la Chavasse in the practical information section

Start the route from Sommand station (access via the RD308 from Mieussy or Taninges). There are plenty of parking spaces available.

(S/E) At the restaurant, head north and follow the D308 towards Col de la Ramaz for about 200 m.

(1) Continue left on a small road and cross the hamlet of Crêt Rôti. Then continue on a carriage road until it ends.

(2) Pass an isolated house on your right (known as Vanne) and head north on a footpath. Further on, after a right-hand bend, you will reach Col de Cordon and a crossroads.

(3) Follow the path on the right, east-northeast, to the next intersection.

(4) Follow a discreet path to the left, heading west, which leads to a ridge. Follow this ridge to the right (be careful of the steep drop on the left). The route becomes off-trail, on steep slopes in a grassy environment. The progression then continues on a few spontaneous paths before continuing on a continuous trail to the summit of Haute Pointe (beautiful viewpoint).

(5) Descend on the other side, north-east, then east-north-east. Keep this bearing until you reach Col de Chavan, ignoring a few side paths.

(6) Continue straight ahead on a path, then head towards a ridge line through rough terrain. Then follow a faint path east-southeast to the base of Pointe de Chavasse.

(7) Begin the ascent of the peak, which requires great care. Follow the path along the right-hand corridor. Take tight zigzags on the steepest section (beware of falling rocks). You will arrive at an unnamed pass: on the right is Pointe de Chavasse, on the left is its secondary summit.

(8) Turn right and you will soon reach the summit of Pointe de Chavasse.

(9) Return to the unnamed pass.

(8) Turn right and descend in a south-easterly direction. Go around a small summit on the right and ignore the trailheads on the right. This will take you to the Col de Vésinaz.

(10) Continue straight ahead on a path uphill (steep slope). Reach a ridge and follow it to a small rock: you will need to use your hands to climb over it. Continue along the path, ignoring a path coming from the left, then one from the right (beware of falling rocks). You will reach a junction at the foot of Pointe de Chalune.

(11) Turn left and quickly climb to the summit (extensive views).

(12) Retrace your steps to the previous intersection.

(11) Head left towards the east and descend. Further on, turn right and descend south to Col de Chalune.

(13) Continue straight ahead, south, then south-west to a trail junction, left towards Chalet Blanc, right towards Col de Vésinaz.

(14) Continue almost straight ahead. At the next intersection, continue south. Then head southwest to reach the D308.

(15) Cross the D308, passing at the foot of the ski lifts. Head west and follow the stream on your right. Ignore the lifts on the left and continue until you reach a T-junction with a track.

(16) Follow the track to the left. Pass several ski lifts and continue straight ahead to the car park at the start (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here.
Good walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended.
Please take your rubbish with you; nature will thank you.

Between points (4) and (7), the route passes through pastoral land with flocks of sheep and sheepdogs. The signs on site are clear and each enclosure indicates whether access is open or closed (other signs indicate that no responsibility is accepted in the event of an incident). If access is explicitly closed, it is recommended that you avoid it by changing your planned route (in particular by following the route suggested immediately below). Please note that there is uncertainty regarding southern access to the Haute Pointe summit, where the fence can be crossed without a gate (it is therefore unclear whether access to this area is closed or not).

For those wishing to avoid the technical difficulty of accessing Pointe de la Chavasse, I suggest a much less exposed alternative route: click here to access the description of this section. This route is also worth considering if certain access points are closed during the summer. Please note that this route takes longer to complete, given the increased distance (approximately 2.6 km) and greater elevation gain (approximately 200 metres).

This hike is not recommended for people who are unsteady on their feet or prone to vertigo. It is mainly difficult in two areas:
1) The area around Haute Pointe: some access points are off-trail with a few sections requiring a little caution.
2) Access to Pointe de Chavasse: the route follows a path through a corridor on steep and fairly exposed slopes.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the difficulties for each section (a route is not uniform):
- green: fairly easy route with no significant elevation gain or difficulty.
- blue: steeper slopes and/or elevation changes on a well-marked route.
- orange: route presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route viability (markings or visibility of the path).
- red: difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment with some hazards.
- black: route on a fairly difficult trail and/or with adjacent hazards.
- white: route in very difficult technical environments requiring certain equipment.

From (S/E) to (2): Green difficulty
Easy to follow a road (just be careful of traffic).
Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (1) to Green difficulty
Follow a road without encountering any difficulty.
Markings: yellow arrows + signposts.

From (2) to (4): Blue difficulty
A path is followed without any notable difficulties.
Markings: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (4) to (5): orange difficulty
Please note that there are some difficulties to be encountered in this area:
-^First, the route follows a moderately visible path with a gentle incline up to the ridge.
- Then, the route continues off-trail, following the ridge more or less closely. A few short sections of path then follow.
-^Thirdly, follow a fairly visible path leading to the summit.
Markings: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (5) to (6): Blue difficulty
A section requiring a little caution is encountered in a rocky passage that is approached in two steps. The rest of the route is less difficult.
Markings: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (6) to (7): Blue difficulty
Shortly after the Col de Chavan, head towards the ridge line on somewhat uneven terrain, then follow a steady path without any particular problems.
Unmarked section.

From (7) to (8): Red difficulty
The climb to Pointe de Chavasse is the main difficulty of the route: it takes place in an area exposed to rockfalls, on very steep slopes where missteps are not an option. Follow the path slightly overhanging a couloir on your right, avoiding the rocky area, then head sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left, climbing step by step, sometimes using your hands, while remaining particularly vigilant on certain narrow passages. Please note that the route shown is not very precise given the terrain. The route is best undertaken in dry conditions.
Unmarked area.

From (8) to (10): Blue difficulty
On the descent, follow a path without any significant difficulties.
Yellow arrow markings

From (10) to (12): orange difficulty
The route begins with a short climb to reach a ridge line. Shortly afterwards, there is a slight difficulty when crossing a rock where you will need to use your hands. The trail then follows a path with some steep slopes in an area potentially exposed to rockfalls (caution).
This section is mostly unmarked.

From (12) to (13): Blue difficulty
After the summit, there are a few challenging sections in places.
Yellow arrow markings

From (13) to (14): Blue difficulty
Follow the trail without encountering any significant difficulties.
Markings: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (14) to (15): Green difficulty
The route follows an easily passable road.
Markings: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (15) to (S/E): Green difficulty
This very easy section follows a path that corresponds to a ski slope, then a road
Unmarked section