The Col du Fromage shelter

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent views from the summit. It was a bit of a struggle to reach the small peak above the pass (there wasn’t really a path and it was very steep with loose stones…) and the view from the top isn’t really any better than the one from the pass. You might as well end the hike at the Col Fromage. We were very pleased with our day.

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A rather uninteresting hike, quite challenging both on the way up and down; the only highlight is reaching the pass

Hello,

I have a similar comment about a route that takes you straight to the summit of the Taennchel.

I think hikers should read the route descriptions before setting off; that way they’d know whether there are views or not, whether it’s steep or not, and whether the paths are wide tracks, narrow trails or tarmac.

In my area, there are routes that run exclusively through vineyards. Well, I don’t go on them, because I prefer trees. But I wouldn’t go so far as to say they’re uninteresting. There must be something to them for whoever suggested them.

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Date of your route : Feb 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did it (again), this time heading up past the military shelter to the small peak with a cross just above it. View +++
Then I descended via the path that starts just below the pass and joins the GR halfway up the slope, which climbs to the Col des Estronques.
Only attempt this if the avalanche risk is below 2++, as you have to cross several steep valleys. So it’s quite difficult but interesting. And it makes a change.
Afterwards, you reach the valley and the path through the hamlets. Allow a further 2 hours.

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Good evening, and thank you for your comment on the Col Fromage route and its shelter.
As I know this pass and its shelter particularly well, I honestly find your comment a little over the top.
You mention that the description is ‘disappointing’; I suspect this is because of the line: ‘Head straight up the snowfield’ – indeed, you probably didn’t see any snow this August. I should point out that this description is for a snowshoe hike, which, of course, is far more commonly undertaken in summer.
As for the rest, the description is entirely accurate.
You also mention that it’s a ‘hike of little interest’; that’s no doubt true for you, but this section – whether going downhill or uphill – is particularly popular with hikers on the GR5. And for them, it’s of great interest as it offers splendid stages between Ceillac and Bramousse or Furfande.
As for the difficulty – which is quite challenging for both the ascent and descent – that’s entirely subjective. For your information, the author has rated it ‘Difficult’ for snowshoeing; for a summer outing, we’d rate it as ‘Moderate’.
Have a good evening.

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A rather uninteresting hike; quite challenging both on the way up and down; the only highlight is reaching the pass

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Date of your route : Mar 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed on 19 March 2019. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much snow, but it was a lovely route with magnificent views of the village and the surrounding peaks. At the Col Fromage, I was able to make the connection to the Col de Bramousse via the ‘old signal station’ (snowshoes are essential for the descent to the pass). On the descent from Bramousse, at the next junction, I opted to return via the hamlet of Villard (a very pleasant viewpoint).

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