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Access: from Geneva, take the A40, then the A410 and exit 17. Continue towards Annecy-le-Vieux/Thônes; continue to follow "Thônes" and just before this town, turn right towards "Alex". From Alex, follow Villard-Dessous and climb up to Villards-Dessus; leave the car park on your left and go straight ahead, then turn left (signposted Dents de Lanfon) onto the Chemin des Dents de Lanfon. Given the state of the road after recent rains, I preferred to park in the first car park on the left, about 600m after the exit from Villards-dessus. However, you can use the car park further up on the left, at the end of the road open to traffic.
(S/E) From the car park (altitude 768 m), follow the road, which is initially suitable for cars, to the second car park, then suitable for jeeps to the Aulp Riant chalet below. The track is quite steep. The route is a little tedious at first, but very quickly, after the guards' chalet, the beauty of the forest will capture your attention. The trees are varied and resplendent with colour; the forest has put on its autumn finery. You will pass the charming foresters' hut (altitude 1,200 m). A few gaps in the trees already allow you to glimpse the magnificent walls of the Dents de Lanfon. You follow the Nant d'Alex stream (a tributary of the Fier, which can turn into a formidable torrent when in flood) for much of the climb; in several places, the moss-covered rocks create a romantic atmosphere. As you climb higher, beech and maple trees take over and the spruce trees become less prominent. The undergrowth is filled with superb ferns and a few erratic boulders complete the scene; on some of them, spruce trees have taken root before growing and becoming one with the rocks. A few more hairpin bends and you leave, almost reluctantly, this forest with its unusual and mysterious atmosphere, to emerge in the Aulp Riant mountain pasture (altitude 1,450 m); in front of you in the distance is La Roche Murraz (Lanfonnet). On your left are the Grandes Lanches with their impressive cliffs. The Col des Frètes is at the bottom of the valley on the right and, continuing straight ahead, you can reach the Chalets de l'Aulp Riant above.
(1) Turn right and continue behind the Aulp Riant chalet below (stay on the right side of the fence). Follow a vague path that leads towards the cliffs, through an alpine pasture where cattle have made the path less monotonous! The view of the Dents is superb. You approach the cliffs by crossing a small wood (with some beautiful trees, including green alders) and continue on the right, along the side of a large scree slope; the path continues due north. Gradually, you will have a clear view of the bottom of the valley and the Grandes Lanches as you approach the rock faces and the northern end of the Dents de Lanfon. Shortly after the large vertical crevice of a cave, the path turns left and begins to climb more steeply in zigzags (red markings); you may need to use your hands in places (be careful, the rocks are slippery); continue along the slope to a very steep corridor (already offering a beautiful view of the Tête à Turpin, among others). The next section is more challenging; a few red paint marks will help you find your way, but remain vigilant as rockfalls are frequent. The corridor remains steep and slippery to the end (there is another cave on the left); shortly after the top of the corridor, on a flat section, you can turn right to go directly to Pointe Nord.
(2) I suggest you continue along the "path" on the left. The route becomes less obvious (use the cairns as landmarks) in an exceptional setting with an unusual route on a small plateau covered with sharp limestone pavement; pine trees reign supreme here, despite a few timid maple trees and various shrubs. Climb a little further and you will reach the ridge.
(3) Walking along the summit towards the south, after crossing a rock face, you can reach Pointe Centrale, at 1,824 metres, with a few additional difficulties, including some small climbing passages and a more pronounced sense of exposure.
(4) Retrace your steps.
(3) Take the path that climbs to the left before a grassy area. Follow the ridge northwards (there are some beautiful views of the lake, the Annecy basin and the Jura; be careful, the cliffs are vertiginous) and you will reach the foot of a small rock face with a fault corridor on the left; climb a few metres (a few easy climbing steps) and continue northwards. You will soon reach the northern peak with its wooden cross at 1,681 metres (it is still standing thanks to two cables!). There is a beautiful view of Annecy, Mont Veyrier, Mont Baron, Salève, Parmelan, Tête à Turpin, Grands Lanches, Tournette, etc.
(5) For the descent, follow the path that descends more directly towards Grandes Lanches and takes you back to the path you took on the way up.
(2) Be careful in the couloir, as the terrain is very slippery. The rest of the route is the reverse of the ascent (S/E).
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