La Belle Étoile from Les Combes

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La Belle Étoile is a very popular destination for walkers and trail runners, with most people setting off from the “Les Teppes” car park at a place called La Ramaz. The route I’m suggesting, however, is much less well-trodden. You may not come across a single person for three-quarters of this route, which runs largely through woodland. On the higher ground, you’ll need to use your hands for certain sections.

Details

n°100452485
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.79 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,294 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,294 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,037 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,762 ft
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Description of the walk

The start is in the hamlet of Les Combes in the commune of Faverges-Seythenex (74210). From Faverges, head towards Seythenex. On leaving the hamlet of Frontenex (74), take the second left just after the ‘end of built-up area’ sign and follow signs for Val de Tamié. Park in the car park before the wooden sign for Les Combes.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, follow the signposts and head towards Les Combes. Cross the road and take the path opposite towards the hamlet of Les Combes. When you reach a tarmac road, turn left twice, following the signposts, to reach the chapel.

(1) Then turn right. Continue along the road and then the path until you reach a crossroads.

(2) Turn right and continue along this path.

(3) Leave this track and take another track on the left, which climbs quite steeply at first. Stay on this track until you reach a signpost marked “Sous le Chalet de Périllet”.

(4) Head towards La Belle Étoile. Please note that the signposting was still being installed when I walked this route in late May 2026. Once you reach the top of this hill, continue to the right and go round the Chalet du Périllet on the right-hand side. You’ll reach the end of a track.
(This marked section is very steep but can be bypassed by continuing along the track for about fifty metres, then turning right to go round the chalet on the left).

(5) Leave the track and take the path leading uphill to the right. Continue along this path until you reach a track not shown on maps.

(6) Follow this track to the left for about thirty metres, then leave it by taking a path on the right. Continue along this path until you reach the “Entre 2 Croix” signpost on the ridge leading to La Belle Étoile (alt. 1841 m).

(7) Turn left and continue to La Belle Étoile.

(8) Take in the 360° panorama and check out the orientation table. Head back to the previous junction.

(7) Carry on straight ahead towards the Teppes car park. Some sections will require you to use your hands. Reach the Croix de Périllet at an altitude of 1710.

(9) Take in the panoramic view, then continue down to the sign for “La forêt de Chevron”.

(10) Head down to the right towards “Les Teppes car park via the national forest” until you come out onto a track.

(11) Follow it to the right until you reach the junction you passed on the way up, marked “Sous le Chalet de Périllet”.

(4) Continue straight down the path, following the reverse route of the outward journey, until you reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,776 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.32 - alt. 2,877 ft - Chapelle des Combes (Sythenex)
  3. 2 : mi 0.55 - alt. 3,005 ft - Crossroads
  4. 3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 3,127 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 2.02 - alt. 4,505 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  6. 5 : mi 2.2 - alt. 4,741 ft - Junction, path on the right
  7. 6 : mi 2.35 - alt. 4,990 ft - Arrival on the path
  8. 7 : mi 2.9 - alt. 5,804 ft - Along the ridge line
  9. 8 : mi 3.04 - alt. 6,037 ft - Summit - Belvédère de la Belle Etoile
  10. 9 : mi 3.39 - alt. 5,610 ft - Croix de Perillet
  11. 10 : mi 3.62 - alt. 5,203 ft - Path junction
  12. 11 : mi 4.32 - alt. 4,593 ft - Arrival on track
  13. S/E : mi 6.79 - alt. 2,772 ft - Car park

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