The Sous-Dîne mountain in a circular fashion via the Pas du Roc

Hike with 360° panoramic views from the Jura to Mont Blanc, ridge route, beautiful route in magnificent surroundings.
Caution: at (S/E) and (5), see important recommendations in the practical information section.

Details

2448769
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.69 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,295 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,302 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,998 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 932 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: Go to Thorens-Glières, turn right onto the D2 towards Col des Glières, pass Usillon, then continue to the stone bridge at the foot of the Pas du Roc waterfall. Parking before and after the bridge.

(S/E) From the car park, walk down the road for 100 metres and take the path that leads into the forest on the right (signposted "Pas du Roc")
Please note: this path is carved into the rock, is relatively wide, secured by a chain, and equipped with wooden steps. It climbs in wide switchbacks and, after passing two footbridges, leads to the Pas du Roc viewpoint.

(1) The path continues with a short climb, then levels out relatively, reaching the Champ Laitier mountain pasture and the Chalet du Plan. From here, continue along the track and, after a bend, you will reach a fork.

(2) Turn left towards the Col de Landron and pass in front of the Chalet de Landron, leaving the path to Usillon on your left. Reach the 1630 m contour line. After a descent of about 40 m, leave the track and turn right onto the path to Sous Dine (sign). Before turning off, enjoy the view 30 m after the fork.

(3) Return to the fork and follow the path on the left, which leads easily to Montagne de Sous-Dîne.

(4) Reach the Croix de Sous-Dîne.

(5) From the cross, follow the unmarked but well-defined path that runs along the ridge and passes under the Sous-Dîne peak.
Caution: steep sections, some easy descents, two sections equipped with cables and even a ladder.
When you leave the rocky section, continue along the path to the left, climbing slightly, then turn sharply right onto a relatively rough path.

(6) Follow the path as best you can until you reach the Crêt de l'Ébat track, which you should take to the right in the direction of the descent.

(7) Descend this track, pass in front of the Chalet du Grand Soquet, and return to the Col de Landron fork.

(2) Turn left to descend this section of the path you took on the way up and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 945 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.91 - alt. 1,283 m - Pas du Roc viewpoint
  3. 2 : km 4.34 - alt. 1,479 m - Common fork A/R
  4. 3 : km 6.26 - alt. 1,574 m - Viewpoint
  5. 4 : km 7.95 - alt. 1,904 m - Montagne de Sous-Dîne (1905m)
  6. 5 : km 9.04 - alt. 1,983 m - Cross - Sous Dîne
  7. 6 : km 10.71 - alt. 1,738 m - Fork towards Col de l'Ébat
  8. 7 : km 11.13 - alt. 1,703 m - Return trail
  9. S/E : km 18.69 - alt. 944 m - Car park

Notes

Good footwear is essential (rocky sections on the ridge).
This hike is not recommended for people who are prone to vertigo.

No water source in August; the spring before Chalet du Plan on the route was dry.

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

Worth a visit

The Col de l'Ébat trail is not particularly interesting, but hey... you have to go down somehow.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 21600103

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very good hike, easy to follow except perhaps when descending the other side with a ladder and cable.
be careful, not everyone can descend this way; it is better to turn back to avoid a fall.

superb view when you're at Sous-Dine, just magnificent.

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SE VE RI NE
SE VE RI NE

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 : No

Climbing in the fog, but the rock step is still magnificent despite everything! You just can't be afraid of heights
I found myself above the clouds at point 2.
After reading and rereading the reviews, I also took the hike in the opposite direction and climbed up to point 7.
For me, it's a bit long, but the path is very pleasant and the view is magnificent.
It then climbs steeply up the rock, but it's short. From the cable onwards, the path is not very visible; the markings need repainting! But naturally, you head towards the top. The ladder section is close to a precipice but is no problem. I only met people at the cross. The descent from the plateau is superb, with lappiaz and an exceptional view of Mont Blanc and the Aravis mountain range. A very beautiful outing that took 7 hours. If you don't want to do the circular because you're worried about the technical sections, you can follow the route in the suggested direction to the cross and then turn back. You'll already have a very beautiful view

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kaolak1
kaolak1
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Following other reviews, I did this hike in reverse, starting from (2).
From the start to (1) it climbs very steeply, then it's easy and pleasant to walk through the mountain pastures surrounded by mountains.

However, from point (2) to (7), it's very long, with only flat walking and then a very steep climb.
On the one hand, it's true that going in the opposite direction makes the difficult part more manageable, but on the other hand, the climb is harder than in the original direction, so it's up to you.

It's a very good hike, especially in the mountain pastures and on Sous-Dine mountain, but the only downside is that there's a lot of walking on flat ground. Despite this, I recommend it!

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achard
achard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike again (11-07-204) this year, going anti-clockwise. I find this more enjoyable than going the other way because:
-the cable and ladder sections are uphill, which feels more "natural".
-the climb to the Col des Ebats, which is quite long, steep and sunny, is more pleasant in the morning when it is cooler.
Highly recommended. The safety recommendations remain valid regardless of the direction you choose to take this varied and magnificent circular.

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achard
achard
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike which, despite its length, elevation gain and narrow sections, does not present any significant difficulties. Of course, caution is required on the cable-assisted sections and the ladder, and these should not be attempted in rainy or very wet weather.
The views and landscapes are very varied.
We did this hike in the direction described. It can also be done in the opposite direction. In this case, the cable passages and the ladder are done on the way up, which is more "natural".
The Pas du Roc passage is magnificent.
We highly recommend it.

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Blin
Blin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike and stunning views over Sous Dine (Lake Geneva, Pointe de Cou, Roche Parnal, Aravis mountain range, etc.). Take care on the steep section (on the way back) with the slab cable, which is not very secure, especially when climbing solo. Not for those afraid of heights!
The return journey from Pas de la Truie is very long, with no end in sight!
In my opinion, this hike would be more interesting to do in the other direction.
Nevertheless, thank you to the author for the description.

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zbh0170
zbh0170

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

The route was completed this Sunday in rather cloudy weather with a fairly strong wind at higher altitudes.
Despite the less than ideal conditions, I really enjoyed the route (a well-formed waterfall near the Pas du Roc viewpoint, beautiful surroundings on the heights of Sous-Dine mountain, and a pleasant walk through the valley despite the length of the route on the track).
It seems preferable to do the circular Sous-Dine in the opposite direction, as the difficulties on the steep section are less challenging on the ascent. The Roc section is not very difficult but requires a little caution on the descent, especially on wet ground.
Thanks to the author for the description.

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satou
satou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, allow 4½ hours for walking and about 1½ hours for photo breaks and meals.
It's not particularly difficult, but you need to be careful on the descent. It's quite slippery and the last section with cables isn't very obvious, but it's not dangerous.
Stunning scenery and a great atmosphere all along the way.
I highly recommend it

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FlickaPatsy
FlickaPatsy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2021
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 with varied landscapes. We encountered three or four herds of ibex, which remained impassive as we passed by. The trail is quite busy on the way up but less so on the way down, where you need to be careful because of rolling stones. On the descent, it can sometimes be a little difficult to find the right path through the rocks.
On the way there, when you leave the forest, follow the signs (circular to the right) to go to the chalet du plan to avoid getting muddy when cutting across the meadows

We recommend a short stop on the descent between points 2 and 1 (after entering the forest and before the viewpoint) to take a closer look at the waterfall, which you can walk behind (less than 5 minutes there and back).
7-hour hike with numerous stops --> travel time: 4 hours 45 minutes for an experienced hiker.

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Agnes5974
Agnes5974

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking time given is a bit too long. 7 hours seems sufficient

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Daniel740
Daniel740

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with the spectacular Pas du Roc. I reversed the circular path, preferring the difficult section on the way up and thus avoiding the long return trip by road. In this direction, the start of the path at point 6 is not marked, so look for a ruin and a cattle park.

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PascaLyon
PascaLyon

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The course is rated as very difficult, but just difficult would be more accurate.
Not many people, but it's Monday!
There are no water sources, so bring your own supplies.
Beautiful views, and I came across a herd of young ibex

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