The Dent d'Oche from the start of the Fetiuère

This hike takes you to the Dent d'Oche. From this distinctive peak overlooking Lake Geneva, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° panorama of the Lake Geneva basin, the Jura and the Alps, including the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc massif. It's a difficult and exposed route, but the reward is well worth the effort when you reach the top!

Details

2210
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 997 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 998 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,212 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,214 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at La Fetiuère, a hamlet above Bernex at an altitude of 1,206 metres.
(S/E) Take the path that climbs through the forest towards the Chalets d'Oche (heading south-east then east). The entire first section is steep, with no gentle start.

(1) The trail crosses a river and winds steeply to the north-east.
The trail turns east and the slope gradually becomes less steep. Crossing pastures, you reach the Oche chalets nestled between the Dent d'Oche, the Pointe de Pelluaz and the Aiguilles de Darbon.

(2) Then take the path on the left that climbs towards the Dent d'Oche refuge. The slope gradually becomes steeper again and the path makes a large first turn right then left in the mountain pastures. After a few shorter turns, you reach a fork.

(3) At the next fork, turn right, still heading towards the Dent d'Oche refuge (the left-hand path leads to the Col de Rebollion). The path follows a fairly steep corridor where you may need to use your hands to climb. Be careful not to roll any pebbles or stones that could hit the hikers behind you. Likewise, be mindful of others.

(4) At the refuge, continue to the right towards the summit. This last section is less difficult but quite exposed. The summit, at an altitude of 2,221 metres, is fairly flat but surrounded by cliffs. There is plenty of space for a picnic, for example. With a bit of luck, you may see some ibex at the summit.

(5) On the way back, follow the route in reverse to the car park at La Fetiuère, above Bernex (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,215 m - La Fétiuère
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 1,358 m - Footbridge - Ugine (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.66 - alt. 1,633 m - Chalets d'Oche
  4. 3 : km 2.66 - alt. 1,925 m - Col de Rebollion / Refuge fork - Col de Rebollion
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 2,092 m - Refuge de la Dent d'Oche
  6. 5 : km 3.39 - alt. 2,212 m - Dent d'Oche
  7. S/E : km 6.76 - alt. 1,214 m - La Fétiuère

Notes

Make sure you wear good hiking boots.

Remember to bring water and provisions. The climb is physically demanding. Take breaks if you get tired.

Avoid this route in bad weather (frost, snow, fog, rain, storms, etc.). The benefits would be limited and the risks significant, particularly near the summit and in the couloir leading to the refuge (slipping, rock falls).

This hike can be done over two days, with an overnight stay at the Refuge de la Dent d'Oche (booking required). The aim is not to split up a route that is considered too long for a single day, but to set off from the refuge at night to watch the sun rise over the Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva from the summit. Allow between 30 and 45 minutes between the refuge and the summit. Bring a headlamp. Only do this in good weather.

Alternative route for the descent: Please note that this alternative route includes exposed sections and sections equipped with chains. It is therefore only suitable for experienced hikers who are not prone to vertigo.
From the summit, continue eastwards, descending the ridge. The path then leaves the ridge and descends more steeply to the right (marked in purple dotted lines on the IGN map). You will arrive at the top of limestone slabs, which you will need to cross using the chains that have been placed there. Then rejoin a trail that continues to descend eastwards and reaches the Col de Planchamp, an ideal place for a break. From the pass, take the trail that descends westwards, first over scree and then quickly through grass. When the slope levels out, continue westwards to return to the Chalets d'Oche (2).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 61 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Leligny
Leligny

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with a sublime view from the summit. The chained section on the way up can be negotiated without the aid of the handrail; the holds are good but worn. The descent via Château d'Oche is not pleasant.

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Banks12
Banks12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with a 360-degree view from the summit, with Lake Geneva on one side and Mont Blanc on the other, not to mention refreshments at the refuge🥰😍

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User 14416602

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A symbol of the region that can be seen from all over the Chablais. It looks difficult to climb, but the path is quite easy with two pleasant stops along the way where you can have a drink and something to eat. The view from the top is superb, stretching from Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc.
A special mention goes to the CAF refuge, which offers very reasonable prices for drinks and meals considering its location.

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bthib
bthib

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, but challenging (given my age (74), of course) with an average gradient of over 25% and even steeper towards the end before the refuge. It is preferable to take the other path at the start (and on the way back), which is signposted at the car park and joins the trail indicated in the description: it is a little longer, but the first part has a more reasonable gradient, allowing you to "warm up".

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odilemichelphilippe@wanadoofr
odilemichelphilippe@wanadoofr

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

thanks for the information and explanations about the difficulties
Despite everything, it seems to me that the climb via Planchamp is easier: we had trouble finding this kind of information
at the Chalet d'Oche (there were no signposts indicating the route!!)
A very beautiful walk, even with all the chain passages.
One wonders why there is a refuge so high up and so close to the destination!

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fabstock
fabstock

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


A classic in the Chablais region, with magnificent views from the top
Start at 7 a.m. to arrive before the heat of the day.
A fairly rocky route with numerous chains to secure the end of the climb
Blueberry tart and excellent coffee at the refuge

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Marco d’la yaute
Marco d’la yaute

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike with a slightly exposed section, which is difficult for those who are not experienced.

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Fanfoué La
Fanfoué La

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk around the Col de Planchamp.
The route is very easy to follow.
A bit of a slog on the way up because of the steep gradient. I wouldn't recommend it for children because of the slightly spaced holds in the chimney and on the descent to the col, but no problem for adults.
The void is quite accessible, with plenty of handholds and a wide path.

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almati07
almati07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, magnificent 360° views, easy route, but the chimney below the refuge, although very well equipped with chains and via ferrata steps, is not recommended for people sensitive to vertigo. The climb up to the cross is also very aerial, as is the descent to the east. If you're not comfortable with gas, it's better to climb back down the chimney rather than attempt the traverse. The welcome at the refuge is very friendly and the fondue delicious. Very few people on 06 September.

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vivian cellier
vivian cellier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very few people on the morning of 29 August. Magnificent, I agree with the comments on this subject. Some people have said so, but for my part I would stress how dangerous this hike is on the chain sections (chimney, access to the summit cross after the refuge and descent via the east route instead of turning around). The danger is real, I've never done such a dangerous hike, some of the parts with the chains are on the side of the mountain and a fall would certainly be fatal. In short, I wouldn't recommend this hike for children or anyone with a fear of heights, as it's no ordinary hike. For those who are used to vertiginous passages and chains, it's sensational.

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Orny
Orny

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good, lots of people, very hot weather, the descent is very dangerous and you have to be very careful even though it is perfectly safe. I would say that this hike should be classified as Very Difficult and not Difficult, it is true that the difference in altitude and the distance do not justify my classification.

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gb42
gb42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent panorama.
Short hike but big difference in altitude. Not much shade above the chalets d'Oche.
A bit too crowded in August...

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pauldubois
pauldubois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Incredible, magnificent, and so much more about the spectacle that awaits us once we reach the summit. I was lucky enough to be able to motivate myself to wake up at 3am and start the hike at 4am, using the headlamp to get to the summit, which was 1.5 hours from the starting point. It's fair to say that on the one hand, I was happy to cross the aerial passages, with the help of chains, in the dark (for vertigo) ^^ I was able to watch, alone, on 15 August, as the sun rose, less than a metre away from a few ibex enjoying the last moments of calm and serenity. Yes, on the way back down at around 7.30am, I started to see the first hikers, and I think I passed about 100 of them before I reached the bottom at around 8.15am. Knowing that the aerial sections account for 1/3 of the hike, it's best to avoid days with a high tourist potential, as I can't imagine how everyone passed each other on this crowded day on the chains.
To sum up, this is a fairly physical hike, for hikers with a minimum of training, and the best advice is to leave before 7am to enjoy the magic of the Dent d'Oche.

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Manu6803
Manu6803

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb walk!

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Mika1987
Mika1987
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this walk at the beginning of September and there weren't many people. Very physical because of the difference in altitude and the technical aspect. Magnificent views from the summit and all along the way. But
when I see the comments I wonder if I'm getting old or if I have another problem because I find this hike very dangerous. I did the outward journey via the refuge and the return via the ridge to make a loop. I wouldn't recommend turning around and going back along the path as it's very steep. There are chains on all the technical parts, but if you fall, I can't imagine the damage. So it's a hike not to be taken lightly.

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