La Croix du Plane from Montlardier

This is a little-used hike that takes you to the fragile Croix du Plane, anchored on its isolated rock. From the surrounding mountain pastures, you can admire the panorama of some of the legendary peaks of Les Bauges. While the route along the track and the shortcuts that allow you to cut across the switchbacks are fairly obvious, in the mountain pastures you will need to have a good sense of direction and not hesitate to use your compass.

Details

156771
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.50 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,408 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,405 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,757 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,402 ft

Description of the walk

Park at the entrance to the hamlet of Montlardier near a fountain.

(S/E) Walk through the village and leave it via a beautiful south-east facing track. It is a pleasant track that has been recently resurfaced. It quickly enters the forest; follow it until you reach a bend just after passing a path on the left.

(1) Turn right onto a steep, rocky path (yellow markings). Return to the track.

(2) Continue climbing, turning right.

(3) After 150 metres, leave the track again and turn right to rejoin it a little further up. Turn right for 50 metres.

(4) Cross a spoil heap and climb left up a winding, rocky path. You will come to a gate to enter the mountain pasture.

(5) Continue climbing up a rough and sometimes earthy agricultural track. Look for Chalet Besson and head towards it: it is a barn in an advanced state of ruin.

(6) Head right to reach the ruins. The Croix du Plane is located just south of Chalet Besson.

(7) Turn back.

(6) Continue to the right along the farm track, and the modest Croix du Plane will soon come into view.

(8) Pass it and head a little higher to find a clear spot to enjoy the view of Les Bauges. Ahead, Le Trélod and Mont Julioz will quickly come into view, as will L'Arcalod and La Dent d'Arclusaz. However, you will have to search for Le Roc des Bœufs...

(9) Descend via the same route back to the track.

(4) This time, you can give your knees a break by staying on the track until you reach the hamlet (/DA).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,405 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.03 - alt. 2,940 ft - Leave the track.
  3. 2 : mi 1.24 - alt. 3,199 ft - Rejoin the trail.
  4. 3 : mi 1.35 - alt. 3,248 ft - Leave the track again.
  5. 4 : mi 1.56 - alt. 3,481 ft - Excavated embankment.
  6. 5 : mi 1.77 - alt. 3,858 ft - Alpine pasture barrier.
  7. 6 : mi 2.04 - alt. 4,318 ft - Chalet Besson junction.
  8. 7 : mi 2.14 - alt. 4,249 ft - Ruins of the Besson chalet.
  9. 8 : mi 2.46 - alt. 4,560 ft - Croix du Plane
  10. 9 : mi 2.66 - alt. 4,757 ft - Viewpoint
  11. S/E : mi 5.5 - alt. 2,402 ft - Car park

Notes

Fountain at the start.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Panorama.
Park House in Le Châtelard.
Cheese dairy in larger villages.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful view (at point "9" at 1,450 m)

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Seb6273
Seb6273

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery. An incredible view and this cross, which is well worth seeing on its rock.
The path that crosses the forest track could do with a bit of maintenance, particularly the signposts.

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Le Dex
Le Dex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a beautiful hike that allows you to discover the peaks of the Cœur des Bauges.
We did it a few years ago, starting from a place called "Le Pont" in La Compote and passing through "Frotte-Cul" (you couldn't make it up).

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jacquemoudthierry@orange.fr
jacquemoudthierry@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

lol

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Tournette/74
Tournette/74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Wide, easy, shaded trail with a short section on a steeper path at the end.
Beautiful view of Les Bauges.
A pleasant discovery.

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Visophi
Visophi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike on 13 November 2019 under glorious sunshine
The first part in the forest is no problem. The first traces of snow appeared at around 900 metres.
Signage is sparse, but the paths are well marked.
Upon exiting the forest, there are multiple tracks.
At the cross, there is about 30 cm of snow.
It is possible to make variations to the route without getting too close to Roc de Poyez. The easiest way is to follow the pasture fences.
I will do it again on snowshoes.

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pierre.henry5
pierre.henry5

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The suggested shortcuts are useless and less convenient than following the main route.

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