A circular route around the Dent du Corbeau from Saint-Paul-sur-Isère

Access by car from Saint-Paul-sur-Isère via the Villard road, on leaving the village, just before Esserts-Blay. After Le Villard, follow signs for Le Cudray, then continue along the forest track (suitable for vehicles) to the Chalet du Queget, in front of which there is a designated car park.

(S/E) Continue along the forest track, which is circular and crosses mountain pastures to the Chalet de Charvan.

(1) Take the path which branches off to the right behind the chalet. After a gentle climb, it continues straight ahead along the mountainside, due north, for about 1 km to the Chalet de la Lanche.

(2) Continue along the well-marked path which climbs at a steady gradient to the small Lac de la Lanche.

(3) Go round the lake to the right and climb up a lovely path to the Col de la Lanche.

(4) Take the ridge on the left and follow it (marked with yellow trail markings on the ground and a few cairns) to the summit of the Dent du Corbeau. On the way, you can see the small Lac Rond (a rather misnamed lake!) below. A large cairn marks the summit and a cross stands about 2 m below it. From the summit, there is a 360° view of the Combe de Savoie, Lake Annecy, the Beaufortain, the Lauzière… and, of course, Mont Blanc.

(5): Descend the ridge, heading broadly south, along a well-marked path that leads to the Col de Charvan.

(6) Leave the ridge by turning left onto a small, more or less visible path. Pass an initial shoulder; note the little Chalet du Golet on the right. The path runs not far away, but there is no need to cross the stream to join it because, at this point, the better-marked path heads due east and leads to the Chalet de la Bottière.
Just below the peak, we came across a herd of 22 chamois.

(7) Follow the path which descends slightly to the left below the chalet. The path, which gets wider and wider, leads back to the Chalet de Charvan, which you passed on the way up.

(1) Head back down via the same route you took on the way up and return to the Chalet du Queget (S/E).

The access road is long and, although it is perfectly passable by car, the journey is rather tedious.
It should be possible to start the hike further down, as there are paths that allow you to cut across the long hairpin bends of the road.

The northern ridge has a few slightly exposed sections, but nothing too daunting. The descent down the southern slope is straightforward.

Small high-altitude lakes.
Panoramic view from the summit of the Dent du Corbeau.