The Pointe du Gorgeat

A somewhat challenging hike for the start of the season, but well worth the effort...

Details

2226
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 698 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 699 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,484 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,013 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Col du Granier (on the right after the restaurant).

(S/E) Head towards Pointe de Gorgeat. The hike starts on a road suitable for 4x4 vehicles. Do not take the first road on the right, but continue straight ahead.
Pass through the hamlet of Les Granges de Joigny.

(1) Take the path on the left towards "Le Grand Carroz".

(2) Cross the Cozon and, once in the hamlet, head towards Col des Fontannettes. The climb is gradual, with a few steep sections.

(3) Once you reach the pass, turn right towards Pointe de la Gorgeat, onto a path that follows the ridge and has a few small steps in the rocks. Once on La Lentille, a slightly steep descent through the trees leads to the Col de la Drière.

(4) After the pass, tackle one last difficult section, the steep climb to Pointe de la Gorgeat.

(5) From the Pointe de la Gorgeat viewpoint, descend to the right to reach the Col de la Gorgeat.

(6) Begin the long descent to reach the Col de la Gorgeat, turning left at the crossroads on the way up.

(1) Keep left, pass the hamlet of Les Granges de Joigny and return to the car park at the Col du Granier (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,132 m - Parking at - Col du Granier
  2. 1 : km 1.94 - alt. 1,204 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 3.45 - alt. 1,013 m - Cozon - Cozon (cours d'eau)
  4. 3 : km 5.12 - alt. 1,323 m - Col des Fontanettes (1365m)
  5. 4 : km 6.89 - alt. 1,321 m - Col de la Drière ou du Midi (1307m)
  6. 5 : km 7.48 - alt. 1,484 m - Pointe de la Gorgeat (1486m)
  7. 6 : km 7.77 - alt. 1,441 m - Col de la Gorgeat (1438m)
  8. S/E : km 10.98 - alt. 1,134 m - Car park at Col du Granier

Notes

At the end of March, there is still snow, so don't forget your walking sticks.
The route is tricky for young children.

Worth a visit

The small hamlet of Granges de Joigny is worth a look.
From the ridges, there is a panoramic view of the Épine massif and, in the distance, Lac du Bourget.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
mariebleuet
mariebleuet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and varied hike, best done in dry weather; I completed it with the ascent of Mont Joigny

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User 26317493

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with some steep climbs but very easy going on the way down. The view of Lake Aiguebelette is superb.

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JRodna
JRodna

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route requires a great deal of attention and is not suitable for novice hikers, especially the last section before the Pointe de la Gorgeat.
Best done in very dry weather.

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denrem
denrem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We enjoyed pleasant sunshine throughout the hike
The route along the ridges after the Col des Fontanettes was still quite muddy.
This is the ideal time of year for this hike.

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denrem
denrem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We enjoyed pleasant sunshine throughout the hike
The route along the ridges after the Col des Fontanettes was still quite muddy.
This is the ideal time of year for this hike.

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PASCALOU27
PASCALOU27

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, physically demanding hike. The climb between points 2 and 4 is long, not to mention the descent that precedes it to reach the hamlet of Grand Carroz. This is a pretty little village that is worth a look. The summit offers a 360° view. It was a little crowded at the top for lunch, but very quiet on the rest of the route.

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jakes38
jakes38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2023
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 with excellent signage. The climbs are steep, especially the last one before the Pointe du Gorgeat, where you need to use your hands a little to get over a rocky section. It's not difficult, but it can be a little daunting.
There are some beautiful ammonites after the Granges de Joigny.

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jakes38
jakes38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The circuit is currently impassable from Voreppe because a municipal bylaw prohibits hiking on the hiking trails in the municipality of Voreppe since the fires of 2022.

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Benedu07
Benedu07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike with very clear signposting. We only checked the map and description two or three times, so there was no risk of getting lost. This hike is quite difficult, especially for those who are not used to it, as there are quite a few steep climbs. Those who suffer from vertigo should also take care, as some sections are on the side of a cliff. In any case, the 360° view (with a sea of clouds for us that day) is well worth the effort. This hike is an absolute must! 😍

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dije38
dije38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk in the cool air (13°C) with glorious sunshine and numerous views of the surrounding mountains. From the Col des Fontanelles, the route becomes high up, even very high up, until you reach Mont Pellat. Here, there is a superb 360° view of Chambéry, Lac du Borget, Mont Blanc, Le Granier and La Chartreuse (Dent de Crolles, Chame Chaude, La Sure, etc.). The descent is steep on slippery and very exposed terrain until you reach Pointe du Gorgeat. Make sure you are well equipped with suitable hiking boots. Avoid in rain or fog.

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Fred Montagne
Fred Montagne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful ride.
Looking at the map, a short, tough climb towards Mont Joigny caught my eye: a beautiful climb with superb views. Then back down the loop between 6 and 1 to follow the route.
A beautiful hike with some elevation and very beautiful views.

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Nico et Andrea
Nico et Andrea

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We set off early, so there weren't many people around.
There are a series of physically demanding and technical ascents and descents. The views are stunning. This hike is definitely worth it!

Enjoy your hike!

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taad
taad

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting hike with some elevation gain but pleasant at this time of year. Everything is well signposted, which is much appreciated!

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Roro de courcheuuuuu
Roro de courcheuuuuu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike as described.
The starting point is easily accessible with free parking.
Varied scenery, magnificent 360° panorama from the summit.
Picturesque hamlets.
Challenging climbs along the route!

After your efforts, relax at the bar/brasserie right next to the car park, where you can enjoy delicious local ice creams.

Enjoy your hike, everyone, and have a great time!
Big hugs to you all

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Chrij73
Chrij73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We started at Grand CArroz to do the loop. It's more interesting for two reasons: there are fewer people on the route and it's easier to park. We started in the forest, which is magnificent, then we followed all the ridges, where you get the best views of the Chartreuse and the Chambéry basin as far as Lac du Bourget. The hike is easy, even the short scrambles are enjoyable, but if you're afraid of heights, give it a miss

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