The Dent du Chat and the Roc de Cornillon

de fr

This is a lovely half-day hike with beautiful views of Lac Du Bourget, Aix-Les-Bains and the Chambérien basin, the Belledonne massif and Mont Blanc on one side, and the Savoyard foothills (Yenne, Belley, Grand Colombier) on the other.

Please note: Those who are afraid of heights may be affected by some technical sections equipped with cables or ladders.

Details

n°558413
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.85 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 829 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 824 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,375 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 633 m
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Photos

The Molard Noir
The Chambéry basin and the Belledonne massif
Mont Blanc from the Dent du Chat
Last technical section before the summit

Description of the walk

From Bourget du Lac, take the D1504 towards Lyon. Before reaching the Tunnel du Chat, at the roundabout, take the third exit towards the Col du Chat. Park just before the pass, on the left, in the car park.

(S/E) From the car park, climb towards the Col du Chat and take the path on the left towards the Dent du Chat (2 hours 20 minutes).
On the climb, follow the yellow trail and ignore the climbing routes on either side. When you reach a flat section, the Roc de Cornillon trail branches off to the right and the Dent du Chat trail continues straight ahead.

(1) Make a return trip to the right. The Roc de Cornillon is just ten minutes away and the viewpoint gives a foretaste of the view from the summit of the Dent du Chat.
On the way back, turn right and continue towards the Dent du Chat (1 hour 55 minutes).

(2) Go around the Roc Blanc on the right and continue on the Dent du Chat trail. After a short descent, you will arrive at the Col de la Vacherie.

(3) Continue straight ahead towards the Dent du Chat (55 mins) and leave the path coming from Chevelu on your right.

(4) Arrive below the Dent du Chat. The trail is equipped with cables in two places to facilitate progress.
After this technical section, join the Sentier des 4 Chemins.

(5) Leave the trails that lead to Molard Noir (0h20) and Fontaine des Côtes (0h55) on your right and follow the trail on the left towards Dent du Chat (0h10).
You will quickly reach another technical section equipped with ladders and cables, then continue for a few more metres to reach the summit.

(6) Summit of the Dent du Chat, enjoy the magnificent view.

Follow the same route for the return journey (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 635 m - Col du Chat
  2. 1 : km 0.64 - alt. 811 m - Crossroads, Roc de Cornillon, on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.88 - alt. 1,027 m - Roc Blanc
  4. 3 : km 2.37 - alt. 1,060 m - Col de la Vacherie
  5. 4 : km 3.13 - alt. 1,266 m - Passage with cables
  6. 5 : km 3.42 - alt. 1,311 m - Sentier des 4 Chemins
  7. 6 : km 3.6 - alt. 1,375 m - Dent du Chat
  8. S/E : km 6.85 - alt. 636 m - Col du Chat

Notes

Mountain boots are essential.

(2) Access to Roc Blanc is not easy to find. There is no clearly marked trail and, as far as we know, no signposts.

(5) If you are feeling motivated, you can continue on to Molard Noir (20 minutes) from the Sentier des 4 Chemins. It offers a beautiful view of the Dent du Chat, which it overlooks from a height of about 60 metres.

Worth a visit

The Roc Du Cornillon via ferrata.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 37 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Brunomaire
Brunomaire

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice

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Gillou79
Gillou79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is worth the trip, but it's not easy for the average person as the slope is steep in places. It is well secured in the areas that are a little dangerous. And the view from the top is magnificent.

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User 8042995

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk for those who enjoy exercise! Be careful when it rains!

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User 26426360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very difficult circuit to ride in wet or dry conditions. During our ride, the ground had become sandy due to the lack of rain. Then three unfortunate drops fell and we slipped. So, whether dry or wet, the terrain is very difficult to ride down even with technical shoes. There are no handholds in some key places to prevent you from getting lost.

In short, a disappointing experience for me, at least.

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abruti
abruti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk with beautiful panoramic views, but with a steep climb throughout, quite slippery on the way down due to the humidity, with wet leaves covering the roots and stones well worn by foot traffic.
Given my age (62) and recent health problems, it took me much longer than the 4 hours 20 minutes indicated in the guidebook!
This walk is best suited to hikers who are already used to challenging hikes and who are not prone to vertigo if they want to use the handrails and ladders!
The little extra at Molard Noir is really worth it, it would be a shame to miss it!

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Phil38
Phil38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike that is a little technical, but the view from the Dent du Chat is truly magnificent.
A bit busy though!
We had a great time.

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Jeanno38
Jeanno38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike reserved for experienced hikers with sure footing. Excellent hiking boots are essential, and walking sticks are very useful, especially on the descent.
The cable passages and ladders are great fun and make the dangerous sections very safe.
The mixed weather meant that there weren't too many people, which was very welcome, although we had to be careful on the way back before the rain set in. The descent can be tricky on wet rocks and in exposed sections made slippery by the rain.
The climb and return through the forest were pleasant, and the view from the summit was magnificent!

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ch@rlie
ch@rlie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A hike that's well worth the effort for the fantastic view at the top. The climb is quite steep and takes around two hours. Walking sticks are essential, especially on the descent.
This hike is not suitable for beginners.

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jcnivollet
jcnivollet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, avoid this hike in bad weather as the rocks are very slippery, especially when climbing the Dent du Chat.
Magnificent view but a little too crowded on the way up. You have to wait your turn for the steep sections using ropes and ladders.

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LaMiaDoRé
LaMiaDoRé

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

There were many people on 8 May 2024 at the summit of the Dent du Chat. The view of Lake Bourget is magnificent. Due to a traffic jam at the ladders, a few stones fell, but nothing serious.

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marie_upsud
marie_upsud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent!
The view from the top is superb and well worth the effort of climbing the rather steep slopes.
Most of the hike is in the shade of trees, making for a very pleasant walk. Be careful, however, as there are a few tricky sections on the way down, with loose leaves and gravel/pebbles, but these are easy to navigate with walking sticks.
The few sections with ropes and ladders are not dangerous (but may be difficult for those who are afraid of heights). However, this only affects the last 10 minutes of the hike, so don't hesitate to enjoy it anyway (you can also go to Mollard Noir, which is more accessible).

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firebrand
firebrand

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, shaded hike that's worth the brief moments of struggle on the steep slopes!
The start is a bit chaotic due to the popularity of the climbing site, but once you get past that, peace and quiet returns!
At the top, if it's very busy, you can quickly get stuck in traffic!
Recommended for experienced hikers...

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FlickaPatsy
FlickaPatsy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike along pleasant trails. Beautiful views from the summit of the Dent du Chat and Mollard Noir.
No major difficulties, although caution is advised on certain sections (narrow trail close to the edge).
990 metres of elevation gain if you do the Roc du Cornillon, the Dent du Chat and the Mollard Noir.
A very shaded hike, which is very pleasant in hot weather.
This Sunday, the hike to the summit of the Dent du Chat and the Mollard Noir was very busy (as they are easily accessible from a car park near the Mollard Noir). Access to the ladders is a little complicated because some "hikers" are impatient and don't let people climb up or down, which slows down access, especially as some people picnic at the summit of the Dent Du Chat. So it's best to do this during the week.
However, there are few people on the initial section of the route, except at the start due to the via ferrata (up to the Roc de Cornillon).

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phdorando
phdorando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A challenging hike (it's steep) in beautiful weather. Most of the route is in the woods, sheltered from the sun. The trail is well marked, so no map is necessary. It's worth climbing up to Molard Noir first, then coming back down and doing Dent du Chat. Avoid this hike in wet weather due to the steep slope. Please note that the two peaks are more easily accessible for families via the D42.

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Joris21
Joris21

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Interesting hike, bring hiking poles as it is very slippery (leaves and frost on the ground)
The view from the summit is well worth the effort

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