La Pierra Menta and Lac d'Amour

Already offered in a (very) long version, this hike can be made a little more accessible to the general public. A hike in a splendid setting: the Roselend dam, the Pierra Menta, the Beaufortain, and a glimpse of Mont Blanc.

Details

n°314786

Creation:
25 Jul 2016

Last update:
31 Aug 2021

Last review:
08 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 9.32 km
Average duration: 5h 15
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 897 m
Descent: - 891 m
Highest point: 2,573 m
Lowest point: 1,706 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Beaufortain
District: Beaufort (Savoie) (73270)
Start/End: N 45.659658° / E 6.635803°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3532ET, 3532ETR, 3532OT, 3532OTR
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Description of the walk

Drive across the Roselend dam, then go up four bends towards Col du Pré. Take the track that starts flat in the next bend. The track is stony but quite wide. Follow the track for 4km until you reach a fork in two or three small hairpin bends. Go up to the right towards the Treïcol car park and park there. You will see the Pierra Menta protruding.

(S/E) Follow the main track on foot, which is signposted^GR®5, to the Refuge de Presset. The track first climbs alongside the river before winding up a path that cuts across to the^GR®5.

(1) Follow it until you reach a plateau at the Ruines de Presset.

(2) Continue to the right on the^GRP® du Tour du Beaufortain for a few hundred metres, leaving the^GR®5which climbs to the left. Just before the trail crosses the stream, climb up opposite towards the Conchette barn.

(3) At a crossroads, take the path that veers slightly to the left and towards the bottom of the valley. It is not very well marked. Continue south for about 100-150 metres of elevation gain. You will come to Lac d'Amour, nestled at the foot of Pierra Menta. Walk around the lake.

(4) Continue to the right, crossing snowfields at times, and climb towards Pierra Menta, which you will approach via the ridge on the left. Be careful, as this area is very windy. Reach the ridge.

(5) Cross it at this point at the foot of Pierra Menta. A wooden sign indicates Col du Têtu. This is the highest point of the walk. See a glimpse of Mont Blanc, Roignais, Aiguille de la Terrasse and Grand Fond, Roselend dam, and Vanoise.

(6) Continue along the path, descending the ridge on the other side. Be careful, as the start is steep and slippery. Stay on the path along the hillside, without descending into the valley, to reach the Col du Bresson with a view of the Refuge de Presset on your right.

(7) Cross the pass and descend following the^GR®5, then rejoin the trail from the start at the Presset ruins.

(2) Take the path on the right to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,706 m - Parking
1 : km 1.01 - alt. 1,830 m - GR5
2 : km 1.8 - alt. 2,011 m - Ruins of Presset
3 : km 2.07 - alt. 2,030 m - GRP crossroads
4 : km 3.26 - alt. 2,249 m - Lac d'Amour
5 : km 4.58 - alt. 2,497 m - Ridge below Pierra Menta
6 : km 4.84 - alt. 2,573 m - Col du Têtu
7 : km 5.86 - alt. 2,470 m - Col du Bresson
S/E : km 9.32 - alt. 1,706 m - Parking

Notes

Be careful in the sun, as there is little shade along the route.
Several sections are quite windy, so consider wearing Gore-Tex.
Several sections are a little slippery (snowfields, descent from Pierra Menta), so good footwear is essential.
The descent is a little steep in places, so don't hesitate to use walking poles if you are worried about your knees.

Worth a visit

Places to see:
- The dam and the Cormet de Roselend.
- The Pierra Menta and Lac d'Amour
- La Vanoise
- Pointe de la Terrasse
- Mont Blanc

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

Sophie la Marmotte

08 Oct 2025 at 19:21 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A sublime hike with incredible panoramic views. Quite a few people on the trail, but still reasonable for a September weekend with perfect weather.

Following the advice I had read here previously, we did it in reverse. And even in reverse, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who really suffers from vertigo. The Mintaz pass is a bit technical and I was relieved not to be alone.

We pushed on to the Presset refuge as we were staying there overnight. It's one of the most pleasant refuges I've ever stayed in, with a sublime view of the Pierra Menta and a magnificent sunset, of course!

The directions are perfect and it's easy to find your way around!

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zurgos

22 Jun 2025 at 17:24 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This walk is incredible
It's best to do it in reverse order.

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Sederon

25 Sep 2023 at 12:50 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the hike in the opposite direction because there was a bit of snow on the peaks and it was very slippery
A beautiful, safe walk
Avoid after rain as it gets very muddy

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adelebt

14 Sep 2023 at 18:34 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike completed in 4 hours and 20 minutes in the opposite direction. Setting off just before 9am, we were able to climb up to the Col du Bresson in the shade. We didn't meet many people before arriving at Lac d'Amour.
I did the hike with my border collie without any problems, helping him a little by pushing him on his bottom at the end of the climb to Pierra Menta. We only came across cows at Lac d'Amour.
The view from the Passeur de la Menta is truly superb!
BUT BEWARE, the road to get there (the last 4 km) is very rocky, and we almost turned back.

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GUILLOUXJM

05 Sep 2023 at 14:10 7200 • Edited: 05 Sep 2023 at 18:32 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 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, popular hike to Lac d'Amour. After that, it becomes much quieter. The passage through the Col du Tétu (La Mintaz at the foot of the Pietra Menta) is a little technical and poorly signposted. If you have time, push on to the Presset refuge to admire the lake above the refuge. The road to the start of the hike is 4 km of stony paths (beware of low cars).

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Ce.li.ne

21 Aug 2023 at 13:25 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We preferred to do the hike in the opposite direction to avoid the steep descent behind Pieramenta. So we did it uphill and everything went well. Therefore, in the opposite direction, at the Bresson pass, take the small path on the right.

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daldo

24 Jul 2023 at 11:44 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little hike, very sunny in July.
The descent is a bit steep and requires using your hands.
Very pretty mid-mountain landscapes.

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Françoise besnard

29 Aug 2022 at 10:08 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Circuit via Col du Bresson then Lac d'Amour, recommended as it allows you to enjoy the lake.
Be careful at the Col du Bresson, don't immediately take the small path on the right, which becomes quite difficult! It's best to descend slightly towards the Presset refuge to rejoin the official path!
There is a slightly steep section at the Col de la Mintaz.

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luluschnaps

04 Jul 2022 at 20:50 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike, climbing gently
very pretty scenery at the foot of the Pierra Menta.
Climbing spot for climbers!

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JMP13

31 Aug 2021 at 16:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike with magnificent views (before the fog set in); descent after Pierra Menta not easy at all

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MIJALUDANS

27 Aug 2019 at 21:23 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very beautiful parish to Brittany
I did this hike from Plan Pichu (Aime side) via Granier
then Col du Coin via La Coire. Very beautiful view from Col du Coin over La Pierra Manta
descent to La c d Amour (magnificent) and steep climb to the Passe de la Mintaz
then headed towards the lake and Presset refuge (snack)
return via the Col de Bresson and descent to the Chalets du Coin, then climb back up to the pass of the same name
Elevation gain: 1,200 m

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Adryan

16 Jul 2019 at 18:43 7200 • Edited: 16 Jul 2019 at 18:46 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Please note that the road to the start of the hike is 4 km of stony paths.

This hike requires the use of your hands as the rocky section is a little steep.

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sroutap

25 Oct 2018 at 18:41 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk, especially in autumn when there are few people around, with beautiful colours and the incomparable autumn light.
The Lac d'Amour on an autumn morning is inevitably in the shade, but this allows for beautiful backlighting.
La Pierra Menta can be seen from almost every angle. A short detour to the refuge and Lake Presset doesn't add much to the walk (30 minutes there and back) and is really worth it. Thank you for the GPS track!

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katpyf

03 Sep 2018 at 09:34 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very beautiful hike, very busy up to the Lac d'Amour, but once you start climbing up to the pass, there is hardly anyone around.

The descent on the Presset refuge side is quite steep at the beginning

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BAUMEL Ph

20 Aug 2018 at 09:57 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thank you for the idea.
Wonderful hike.
So many beautiful things to see!!!

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Author

Papa Ours
2 Walks

Visorando member

District: Villeurbanne (69100)

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