La Cochette and Le Mont Outheran via the Pas du Cuert

A lovely, short but scenic walk, featuring numerous viewpoints and an interesting section: the Pas du Cuert.

Details

60335714
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.95 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,300 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,270 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,509 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,862 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Désert d'Entremonts cross-country ski stadium.

(S/E) Continue south-west along the path running alongside the road (D45); this is theGR®9, which also forms part of theGRP® Tour de Chartreuse. Head to the Bruyères car park, at the foot of the ski lifts.

(1) Leave theGR® and turn right onto the path to reach the Col du Grapillon.

(2) Turn left to reach the Cochette viewpoint.

(3) Head back in the opposite direction, downhill, to the Col du Grapillon.

(2) Take the yellow-marked path opposite, reaching the Pas du Cuert – be careful here: an exposed section, followed by a climb requiring the use of your hands. Reach the plateau, then the summit of Mont Outheran.

(4) Continue across the long plateau of Mont Outheran, paying close attention to the yellow markings as it is easy to lose them. Reach the Chalet de l'Outheran.

(5) Continue straight ahead, following the cliff, to reach a series of viewpoints over the Bourget valley. Reach the final viewpoint.

(6) Return to the crossroads by the chalet.

(5) Turn left onto a magnificent descent, a little steep but very scenic, leading down to the valley at a place called La Serra.

(7) Turn right onto the wide, well-maintained path to return to the car park at the Désert d'Entremonts cross-country ski stadium (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,888 ft - Car park at the Désert d'Entremonts cross-country ski stadium
  2. 1 : mi 0.66 - alt. 3,927 ft - Les Bruyères car park
  3. 2 : mi 1.9 - alt. 4,948 ft - Col du Grapillon (1509m)
  4. 3 : mi 2.51 - alt. 5,292 ft - La Cochette viewpoint
  5. 4 : mi 3.62 - alt. 5,499 ft - Summit of Mont Outheran
  6. 5 : mi 5.04 - alt. 5,213 ft - Chalet de l'Outheran
  7. 6 : mi 5.56 - alt. 5,285 ft - Viewpoint
  8. 7 : mi 6.78 - alt. 4,304 ft - La Serra
  9. S/E : mi 7.95 - alt. 3,891 ft - Car park at the Désert d'Entremonts cross-country ski stadium

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Thomas73
Thomas73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route I did in fine weather with a small dog (a Jack Russell). The climb up to the Col du Grapillon and the Pointe de la Cochette is very scenic and fairly easy. The ascent of the Pas de Cuert, with the dog in a front-carrying harness and using walking poles, was trickier. The section is quite exposed, with no handrails or similar aids, but there are yellow markings placed very close together. The route across the summit plateau isn’t straightforward, but with the yellow markings and the GPX track, you’ll make it. The descent to the Col du Mollard is very steep and tricky over scree all the way down; walking poles are a must.
The views over the Entremont Valley and the surrounding mountains are superb. All in all, it’s a route that fully deserves its ‘difficult’ rating.
All in all, I would advise against doing this with a dog and recommend using the poles that you pack away in your rucksack for the Pas du Cuert. Do not attempt this in fog or wet weather.

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Lioneldu69
Lioneldu69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We completed the route today in glorious sunshine; there were a few people at the Col du Grapillon heading towards La Cochette.
I hesitated to climb up to the Pas du Cuert as I hadn’t brought my snowshoes. Fortunately, there was a fresh track despite the amount of snow still on the ground. Thanks to those who cleared the way.

Superb scenery.
I highly recommend it, though I should point out the challenge posed by the distance and the exposed sections.

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DICHAMPT
DICHAMPT
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 06/11. We didn't meet anyone on the trail. No problems until La Cochette.
The Pas de Cuert is not recommended for those who are prone to vertigo, but otherwise accessible with caution, well marked... Make sure you have good footing.
Beautiful hike.

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Banks12
Banks12

Thank you for your reply

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ChalandG
ChalandG

I would advise against taking dogs on this hike. In fact, I did it again at the end of August and a couple with a dog had to turn back at Pas du Cuert.

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Banks12
Banks12

Hello, can this hike be done with dogs?
Thank you in advance

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Santu
Santu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are two sections: one above the Col du Mollard, and the second at the Col du Cuers, where inexperienced hikers might find it daunting. Furthermore, the scree slopes below these sections must be descended with caution, just like the sections themselves. It’s a shame there aren’t any cables or ropes to assist those who might need them.
Otherwise, it’s a really lovely hike, even in the heat, as the plateau is cool under the trees and offers some beautiful views.

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