La Pointe de la Sambuy circular starting from Seythenex

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Hike offering a superb 360° view at Pointe de la Sambuy over Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,114 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,114 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,194 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,149 m
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Photos

Mont Blanc
Pointe de la Sambuy
Chalet de Bouchasse

Description of the walk

Go to the Seythenex la Sambuy resort. Park in the large car park near the chairlift.

(S/E) Follow the yellow and red markings ofthe GRP® du Massif des Bauges towards Pas de l'Ours and Chalet de la Bouchasse. Atthe first crossroads, keep left on the GRP®. Pass under the Sambuy chairlift to reach the Plan du Vargnoz fork at the edge of the woods.

(1) Continue straight ahead, still on the GRP®. Descend to Pas de l'Ours, then begin the climb to reach a new crossroads.

(2) Turn right, continuing to follow theGRP®, and continue climbing up numerous tight hairpin bends. After the last one, you will reach the Chalet de la Bouchasse, a crossroads of several trails.

(3) Take the trail on the right, also marked in yellow and red. Continue climbing to reach a crossroads with several directions.

(4) Turn left to reach Petite Sambuy.

(5) Continue, taking great care, to reach the top of Grande Sambuy via a steep path with a significant incline.
Note: this section is reserved for experienced hikers who are used to this type of terrain.

(6) Begin the descent by following the same route back to the previous crossroads.

(4) Turn left, passing an orientation table and the paragliding launch area. Continue down this wide track, which winds its way along the chairlift. In the Bois de Vargnoz, directly below the chairlift, you will find a crossroads.

(7) Keep right on the track to reach the initial crossroads.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps to return to the large car park at the Seythenex-la-Sambuy resort (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,149 m - Chairlift car park
  2. 1 : km 1.48 - alt. 1,331 m - Map of Le Vargnoz
  3. 2 : km 3.14 - alt. 1,348 m - Pra Fourrier
  4. 3 : km 4.36 - alt. 1,706 m - Chalet de la Bouchasse
  5. 4 : km 5.35 - alt. 1,824 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 6.01 - alt. 1,988 m - Petite Sambuy
  7. 6 : km 6.55 - alt. 2,194 m - Pointe de la Sambuy
  8. 7 : km 9.59 - alt. 1,480 m - Chairlift drop
  9. S/E : km 12.12 - alt. 1,149 m - Chairlift car park

Notes

Route not recommended in bad weather.
Hike for experienced walkers:
- Le Pas de l'Ours is a cable-assisted passage that can be slippery in wet weather
- La Pointe de la Sambuy is exposed but very well equipped with via ferrata-style safety features, making it very easy. Strongly discouraged in rainy weather.
There may be many walkers between the Refuge là-Haut and Petite Sambuy, which is easily accessible via the chairlift.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

(3) At the Chalet de la Bouchasse, you can buy fresh goat's cheese for your picnic or goat's cheese tome.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 15314052

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike to the summit, the return via the trail is less enjoyable, plan a round trip if possible.

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laura1811
laura1811

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike is great. Avoid the bear pass and final climb to the peak if you're afraid of heights. You might want to consider doing the loop in reverse, as the return route is on trails in full sun and not very interesting.
The view from the summit is superb! A fairly quick hike with a few technical sections!

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FlickaPatsy
FlickaPatsy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, somewhat aerial hike between Petite Sambuy and Pointe de la Sambuy: fairly slippery sections (weathered rocks and remnants of white frost due to the north-facing slope). Not recommended for young children, despite good via ferrata-type equipment.
We hiked in the opposite direction to the trail following a shortcut that caused us to miss the Pas de l'Ours intersection. In fact, this wasn't a bad thing as we did the most challenging part at the beginning, took the Pas de l'Ours uphill, which seemed easier to me, and went in the opposite direction to most hikers.
There were few people, especially after the Petit Sambuy, as many stop there and do not go any further.
There are magnificent views in many places.

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sandid
sandid

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning autumn colours in the forest and magnificent views.
The 1½-hour descent on the trail is not the most pleasant.

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oliv clau
oliv clau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike without any real difficulty. The bear crossing is a little tricky but very well equipped. The descent along the slopes is not very interesting but easy to do and very pleasant.

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Hugo38500
Hugo38500

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful circular, the bear crossing on the path is a bit dizzying but fun. Very beautiful scenery on the heights, a bit of climbing to reach the summit.
The return trip is a bit monotonous on the old ski slopes, but not too steep.
In summary, a very beautiful hike, without any real difficulty in dry weather.
I strongly advise against it in wet weather, as it is dangerous.

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stefrando63
stefrando63
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I enjoyed some very beautiful views. However, there is one tricky section, which is marked on the trail, that requires the use of ropes (Pas de l'Ours). What's more, it's on the way down, which I find more difficult than going up. If you take your time and the ground isn't wet, it's doable once you've got a bit of practice. There were just leaves given the season. But when you get to the top, it's magical. I plan to go back in the spring, when it must be even more beautiful, hoping to see some animals.

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cm60
cm60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We completed the 'La Pointe de la Sambuy circular starting from Seythenex' route.
A very beautiful route, with few people at the time we did it.
You need to be careful when crossing the Pas de l'Ours. The descent is assisted by cables.
The only downside was at the end of the route (on the way back), where there was a long, tedious descent on the track after the orientation table, which was uninteresting and tiring due to the stones rolling underfoot. You need to be careful.
Otherwise, a very beautiful hike!

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cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike. We really enjoyed the little wooden deckchair with a magnificent view of the Pointe de la Sambuy.
The descent along the track was welcome as the ground was very wet from the rain the day before.

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Tan73
Tan73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 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 pleasant hike with magnificent views.
The first part via the Pas de l'Ours is a pleasant little forest trail. The passage is more impressive than difficult.
There are many more people after the chairlift (which I believe is now closed...).
Access to the summit of Sambuy is to be avoided at all costs if you are afraid of heights, but the view is superb.
However, the descent via the piste is long and uninteresting.
The route is easy to find and follow!

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