La Duche

A lovely alternative for a walk in the mid-mountains on hot days, as it is partly shaded, not to mention the many panoramic views on various slopes.

Details

3667811
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 718 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 723 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,017 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,460 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Duche car park above the Vacheret chairlift departure point.

(S/E) Take the path towards the Duche chalets and immediately turn left at the hairpin bend. Go through a gate and cross a stream.

(1) Turn left towards the Bois des Annes and climb the path that winds and crosses the Annes chairlift line several times.

(2) At the intersection, turn right towards Col de Borne Ronde along a wide path.

(3) Once at the pass, turn left towards Tête des Annes along a shaded and sometimes quite steep path. You will reach a track at a bend near Tête des Annes.

(4) Continue on the right towards Col de l'Oulettaz and then Refuge Gramusset.

(5) At the Mont Pelés intersection, turn right and descend the winding path towards Le Planet, passing in front of the two chalets and ignoring the two secondary paths descending on the right.

(6) Continue right towards Combe du Planet.

(7) Continue on the widest path, ignoring the trail on the left. After about 1 km, ignore the path coming from the left at a bend and rejoin the Col de Borne Ronde.

(3) Please note: there are two signposts at Col de Borne Ronde. Turn left and continue straight ahead towards La Duche (car park by the Bois de la Duche).
After about 150 metres, ignore the path down to the right which leads more directly to the car park and continue straight ahead, following the edge of the Bois de la Duche.

(8) When you reach Le Saix, ignore the path on the left and continue to the right along a wide path towards "La Duche car park".

(9) Turn left onto a path that quickly makes a sharp right turn and continue straight ahead to the starting point.

(1) Continue left to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,474 m - La Duche
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 1,465 m - Bois des Annes fork
  3. 2 : km 1.55 - alt. 1,666 m - Junction, on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.86 - alt. 1,683 m - Col de Borne Ronde (1681m)
  5. 4 : km 2.85 - alt. 1,847 m - Tête des Annes
  6. 5 : km 4.77 - alt. 2,015 m - Monts Pelés, on the right. Junction towards the - Refuge Gramusset
  7. 6 : km 6.34 - alt. 1,655 m - Le Planet
  8. 7 : km 6.43 - alt. 1,642 m - Combe du Planet
  9. 8 : km 9.86 - alt. 1,543 m - Le Saix, on the right
  10. 9 : km 10.57 - alt. 1,504 m - Fork to the left
  11. S/E : km 11.26 - alt. 1,475 m - La Duche

Notes

No special equipment required apart from the usual good footwear, etc. However, there are a few slightly steep sections.
No water source.

Worth a visit

(5) Access to the Gramusset refuge (1 hour round trip).

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Poppy74
Poppy74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A climb through the woods, which is welcome on these hot days. Passage between 4 and 5 in the sharp limestone pavement and boulders. Hike completed in the direction given in the app, which is a good choice. The return via the C is a bit long. Very beautiful hike with a very open panorama.

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raul001z
raul001z

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, to be done in the direction indicated. A round trip to the Gramusset refuge is definitely worthwhile.

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MargauxHchz
MargauxHchz

I went for a walk today and there were indeed no Patou dogs in sight (only two dogs tied up at the Planet).
A great walk to do, even with a dog.

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velorando
velorando
• Edited:

Hello, there are no dogs on this route, except perhaps one or two at the Planet mountain pasture, where there may be cows.
As for your dog, there is an uphill section between rocks that may pose some difficulties after the Col de l'Ouletaz, at elevation 1927 on the map. Otherwise, it's easy going all the way.
Enjoy your walk.

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MargauxHchz
MargauxHchz

Hello everyone,
I would like to do this hike with my Australian Shepherd. Is it accessible with a dog? If so, are there any flocks and therefore any sheepdogs?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Kind regards,
Margaux

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Clauderando27
Clauderando27

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful, varied hike with stunning views. The trails are well marked and relatively easy. The first part is well shaded, but the descent is mostly exposed, so take care in hot weather!
Thanks to the author of this route.

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poupel
poupel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, very diverse in terms of both landscapes and types of paths, with a pleasant shaded first section in warm weather and many sections still covered in snow in spring.

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PH7
PH7

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike climbing to 2,000 metres. Beautiful views between the Col de la Borne and the Tête des Annes.
For the more adventurous, a short climb to the Gramusset refuge will allow you to appreciate the Lappiaz.

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raymondehautesavoie
raymondehautesavoie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

stunning hike around the world arriving at the Gramusset refuge

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Audrey7374
Audrey7374

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, enjoyable hike with no particular difficulties. The description is very good. I took a short detour to see the view at Le Saix, which only added about 5 minutes to the hike. There were lots of people (and cows!) up to Le Planet, and then it was deserted! Don't plan on stopping for lunch at the highest point at Mont Pelés, as it's a crossroads with no really suitable place to sit down.

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