The Pointe de Perret circular loop from Praz-de-Lys

Access by public transport

Cluses SNCF station, then bus Y93 towards Taninges Praz de Lys; Taninges Praz de Lys Les Molliettes stop. The Y93 bus route only operates during the summer and winter seasons. See timetable information.

Access by car

Park in the car park near the Bétex ski lift, on the edge of the D308 and opposite ‘Chez Jean de la Pipe’.

(S/E) Carefully follow the road up to the Col de la Ramaz (D308) for about a hundred metres. Shortly after passing the Roy chairlift, head up to the left along a wide, clearly visible track.

(1) At the water intake building, turn left. The track quickly narrows to become a path, then crosses a small stream. When you reach a track, continue left to reach the charming Lac de Roy.

(2) Two paths are visible on the right. Ignore the path furthest to the left of the two, which goes round the lake. Continue along the path furthest to the right, which is sometimes hard to see but heads towards a clearly identifiable isolated rock. Go round the rock on the right and continue the climb.

(3) Where the track from the left joins (visible only at high zoom), continue straight ahead on the track until you reach a three-way junction.

(4) Keep to the right and continue to the hairpin bend. At the bend, climb left for a few metres up a short steep slope to reach a path junction (signposted ‘Frête de Penaille (Nord)’).

(5) Turn right towards Pointe de Perret. The climb offers magnificent views of Cluses, the Bargy range and the Aravis range.

(6) Turn left onto the path that follows the ridge line, then joins a trail coming from Pertuiset. The view from the summit and on the descent takes in the Bargy, the Aravis, the Arve Valley, the Genevois region, and the resort of Sommand, dominated by the Haute Pointe.

(7) Take a sharp left-hand bend to traverse the hillside. Just before reaching the pass, the path splits into two tracks, either of which can be taken: the route follows the track on the right. Once on the ridge, take the path on the left.

(5) Continue straight along the path taken on the ascent for 150 m.

(4) Take the path on the right. This becomes a track which you follow to the Chalet de Roy.

(8) Pass the chalets and continue along the track. This soon reaches a small pass, then begins the descent to the right towards Praz-de-Lys. Follow it to the junction with a road, shortly after passing under the Brésy chairlift.

(9) Turn left to follow this road, which climbs gently and leads to the car park (S/E).

Map: IGN 3429 ET Bonneville.

Equipment: good walking boots and walking poles.

Signposting: none.

Difficulty: a hiking route with no particular difficulties, generallyrated 3 on the hiking difficulty scale established by the French Hiking Federation. Please note that certain sections of the traverse between points (6) and (7), then back to point (5), may feel a little exposed for those who are very prone to vertigo. In such a case, at point (6), it is advisable to take the path on the right towards Pointe de Haut Fleury. This path easily joins the track taken in part on the ascent, which you follow to the right on the descent until the junction at point (4). Alternatively, you can follow this track back up to the left to reach the Haut-Fleury chairlift, which you can use to descend to Praz-de-Lys in July and August.

Further information on the hiking difficulty scale established by the French Hiking Federation:

https://www.ffrandonnee.fr/Media/Default/Documents/randonner/Guide-cotation-ffrandonnee-2020.pdf

Our hikes wouldn’t be nearly as rewarding without the contribution of the people who live in and look after the mountains. But they need us too. Please support local businesses!

Restaurant (farm inn) just before point (9).

Haut-Fleury chairlift.