Sulens Mountain

This is a snowshoe hike that climbs almost continuously on the way up. The route is also popular with ski tourers.
Panoramic view of the Mont Blanc range.
There are no specific markings for snowshoeing.

Details

952317
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.07 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 4 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 567 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 567 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,833 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,295 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Col de Plan Bois, the end of the road in winter, in the small car park opposite the inn.

(S/E) Take the path to the right of the inn, climbing steadily through the forest. Come out onto the mountain pasture and reach an intersection below the farm buildings.

(1) Go around the buildings on the right and climb the slope, veering to the right. This will take you to a track.

(2) Follow it, continuing to the right until you reach the bottom of the valley.

(3) Cross the stream and go to the other side of the valley to reach a small group of buildings.

(4) Turn left to climb the entire slope to the pass, which is clearly visible on the ridge line.

(5) Bear left as you climb up the ridge line. You will reach the crossroads for the return journey.

(6) Stay on the ridge and quickly reach the summit of Montagne de Sulens at 1,839 metres. Enjoy the orientation table and the panorama.

(7) Continue along the ridge to the Sulens Cross.

(8) Turn around, pass back near the summit and return to the aforementioned crossroads.

(6) Turn right onto the western slope for a more direct descent than the ascent. Return to the crossroads by the stream you passed earlier.

(3) Now follow the same route as on the way up.

(2) Continue straight ahead on the track, then turn left (west) to reach the farm buildings you passed on the way up. Continue to the first crossroads below.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,295 m - Car park - Col de Plan Bois (1299m)
  2. 1 : km 1.12 - alt. 1,450 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 1.56 - alt. 1,556 m - Track
  4. 3 : km 1.91 - alt. 1,611 m - Bottom of the Combe
  5. 4 : km 2.11 - alt. 1,611 m - Chalets
  6. 5 : km 2.87 - alt. 1,746 m - Sulens Pass
  7. 6 : km 3.3 - alt. 1,820 m - Crossroads of the circular
  8. 7 : km 3.47 - alt. 1,833 m - Summit of the - Montagne de Sulens (1839m)
  9. 8 : km 3.94 - alt. 1,822 m - Sulens Cross
  10. S/E : km 7.07 - alt. 1,295 m - Col de Planbois car park

Notes

Caution: when walking along the ridge, stay away from the edge as the eastern slope is very steep (snow cornices possible).

To return to (6), rather than descending the steep slopes to the west, you can retrace your steps via (5)...

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
KLEINE
KLEINE
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route popular with snowshoers and cross-country skiers
Reaching the summit of Grand Sullens is not worthwhile in winter due to the difficulty involved. The view from the pass or the summit of Petit Sullens is simply sublime.

Machine-translated

JCParavy
JCParavy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Sulens Mountain route with a few minor variations: via Petit Sulens to extend the ridge route and via Chalet de La Grande Montagne on the descent. Quite a lot of snow, allowing us to put our boots on right from the start, but very hard frost in the morning. Lots of people at midday, on foot, snowshoes or touring skis.
The direct descent from WP 6 is not a good idea: there are snow slides just below!
I'm adding a few photos of sunny but foggy weather due to pollution.
Jicépé.

Machine-translated

Dr Savour
Dr Savour

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Perfect. More like 2½ hours than 4 hours.
However, with a beginner hiker, we did it in 3½ hours, stopping regularly.

Consider doing the walk early in the morning to enjoy a peaceful hike, and don't hesitate to book at the restaurant just before. Don't attempt the hike after eating (given the menu). Once you've booked the restaurant, parking is also reserved, which is very convenient; otherwise, you'll have to park on the slope...

Try to do the hike on a day when the sky is clear: you can see Mont Blanc!

Enjoy your hike!

Machine-translated

ADNET
ADNET
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2024
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 offering superb panoramic views, and not just at the summit. The mild weather at the end of January meant we couldn't use snowshoes for the entire climb, but that didn't detract from the enjoyment of the walk. From point 4 onwards, the tracks go off in all directions, but the destination is clearly visible, so there's no problem, especially with the app. Thank you for this suggestion.

Machine-translated

Elo 😊
Elo 😊

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Snowshoeing at its best!
Estimated time: 4 hours
It took us 4 hours including a lunch break, so 3½ hours at a leisurely pace😊
Snow-covered trail from start to finish.
Rain and fog for us, but that didn't take away from the beauty of the route!
The last few metres were steeper with a strong wind! It's good exercise for the legs and you really appreciate reaching the finish 😉
We didn't see anyone else from start to finish! Probably due to the weather.
Pure enjoyment, in summer or winter!

Machine-translated

M.Pompon
M.Pompon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Up to the first farm, the route follows a track that has been completely cleared of snow. Then there is a steady, sustained climb to the ridge, using snowshoes or crampons depending on the snow conditions. Once you reach the ridge, you can admire a magnificent 360° panorama. The descent through the valley can be done without any particular risk if you feel comfortable on this type of slope.
A very pleasant hike, especially in good weather, and very popular.

Machine-translated

NanoudeBalma
NanoudeBalma
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A slight incline on the approach to the orientation table, but manageable. A very beautiful hike!

Machine-translated

Paul GARILLON
Paul GARILLON

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
For the return trip, at point no. 6, it seems tricky to me to turn right onto the western slope for a more direct descent. The slopes are steeper than 30-35° (see the slope map on Géoportail) and there is a risk of avalanches. However, still on the return route, at point 5, it is possible to continue straight ahead for about 200 m to an altitude of 1,759 m, then turn right following the ridge and make a circular loop that joins the chalets at an altitude of 1,631 m. The route is marked on the map with a dotted line and is also a summer trail.

Machine-translated

didbel42
didbel42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant little walk with a superb view at the top.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.