La Tête à Turpin and the Col du Pertuis as a circular route from Chessenay

Update by the author on 10/05/2025:

• minor adjustment to the route, mainly between points (17) and (19)
• relocation of point (18), which was positioned on the wrong hairpin bend.
• amendment to the description in paragraphs (18) and (19) 
• correction to the description in the paragraph (14) 
  

Start the route from the hamlet of Chessenay at the end of Route de Fraisy: you can park in the turning areawithout obstructing the path.

(S/E) Heading uphill, follow a path to the right of the Ruisseau de Tasset (towards Cornet), then a few metres further on, turn right onto a footpath.

(1) Further up, keep right at the junction then follow a path with no significant gradient.

(2) After a sharp bend in a small valley, head left uphill onto a ridge overlooking the area.

(3) After passing three wooden mushroom sculptures, follow a path on the right uphill, continuing to run above the valley: be careful, as on my last visit the access to the start was somewhat obscured by fallen timber. About 150 m further on, ignore a forestry track on the right and continue until you reach a Y-junction.

(4) Continue to the right, heading uphill. From there, follow the path as it winds through a series of tight bends. Carry on along a track and, after about fifty metres, turn left onto a path leading to a forest track.

(5) Follow it to the left uphill until it ends.

(6) Turn right uphill, initially following a moderately visible track: see the ‘Practical Information’ section for further details. You will soon come to a well-defined path which you should follow to the left for a steep climb via a few hairpin bends leading to the Ravine private hut.

(7) Continue to the right, then after a climb, reach the foot of a cliff. Caution: from this point, you must remain vigilant on an exposed section of a narrow path: see also the ‘Practical Information’ section. You will then reach a relatively gentle section corresponding to the Tête de Turpin.

(8) Head right through a wooded area, then you’ll come to a chalet: feel free to have a look and leave a short note in the guestbook. Continue straight on to the end of the small plateau to reach a lovely viewpoint with a bench.

(9) Retrace your steps, passing the chalet again.

(8) Continue straight up the slope. Caution: this is a difficult section, mainly in terms of navigation as it is off-trail. Follow some faint tracks to a more open area, then head off to the right to reach the top of a ravine. Assessing the terrain as best you can where the cliff face is weaker, head left, still climbing, then move along a small ledge to the right. Be vigilant throughout this section: see § Practical Information.

(10) Further up, continue left, overlooking the cliffs whilst remaining cautious: use the blue markers for guidance. Shortly afterwards, follow a path that becomes faint in places: if in doubt, follow the route that strays least from the cliff edges. You will reach a path junction marked by a cairn visible on the right.

(11) From here, you must remain vigilant all the way to the viewpoint much further on, particularly along the cliff edges: see § Practical Information. Continue straight ahead uphill, through a rather rocky landscape where you must remain vigilant. Keep an eye out for the blue markings on a route that zigzags left and right to reach a small, unnamed summit marked by a concrete slab.

(12) Caution: from this point onwards, the route presents additional difficulties. Continue slightly to the right to begin a difficult descent , including a short tricky section where you will need to use your hands to descend. An ascent follows: right from the start, you’ll need to use your hands again, then the route becomes less difficult but requires you to pay close attention to the direction you’re taking. Reach another small peak on the left marked by a cross: a lovely viewpoint.

(13) Continue straight ahead over a few steep slopes on the descent: the route is not linear and you must veer to the right or left whilst following the blue markings. Further down, you’ll reach a final viewpoint.

(14) Heading downhill, continue to the right through the undergrowth on a less rugged path: the route zigzags to the right and right over a few natural stony sections (notably sharp limestone pavements), following the blue markings as best you can. After the Grotte de la Savonnerie, there is a short climb before reaching a large meadow not far away: the path then disappears and you should continue straight ahead, heading due east towards the Chalet du Pertuis.

(15) Avoid this as best you can (private property), then join a path on the left a little further on. Continue to the Col du Pertuis.

(16) Head straight along the path downhill. After a well-maintained rocky section, the route continues along a forest track.

(17) At the second hairpin bend, continue straight on along the path: a few metres further on, continue straight ahead at a junction. Follow the path for a good while down a fairly gentle slope.

(18) At a hairpin bend, ignore a path on the right leading to the forest track below and continue along the path for a short while.

(19) You’ll come out onto a forest track opposite a small building; follow it to the left downhill. Join a forest track and follow it for about a hundred metres.

(20) Take a path to the left. Cross a track, then continue straight ahead to reach another track at a hairpin bend.

(21) Continue almost straight ahead on the downhill path: follow the signposts. On the way, ignore a junction on the left and continue to the right until you meet another path to reach the first buildings of the hamlet of Cornet.

(22) Turn left towards Chessenay, follow the path along the hillside, which climbs gently for a good distance. Along the way, take a detour to the left to avoid a section of the path that has collapsed, then begin a descent via a few hairpin bends.

(23) At the junction, keep to the right. Just past a picnic table, turn left onto the path and return to a junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Continue to the right to quickly return to the starting point (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here.

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.

Take your rubbish away with you; nature will thank you for it.

This hike is not recommended for inexperienced walkers and presents difficulties mainly in three sections:
1/ Before reaching the Tête à Turpin: the narrow path running along the foot of the cliffs is exposed to rockfalls.
2/ Between Tête à Turpin and the Mont Téret plateau: the route follows an off-trail path through rocky terrain along a weak section of the cliff.
3/ Along the cliffs of the Mont Téret plateau: the route is rugged and winds to the right and left; it is recommended that you follow the blue markings closely, otherwise you risk entering sections that may be more difficult. A more significant difficulty is noted on a short section involving downclimbing.
If in doubt about the direction, please also refer to the route mapped on OSM.

Alternatively, it is possible to follow a simpler route avoiding the cliff section: at point (11), continue to the right across the Grands Prés, then return via either the Col de Pertuis or the Col de la Bourse: see the Mont Téret Plateau route via the Col de la Bourse and the Col du Pertuis.

In detail, below is a difficulty rating by section (a route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly easy route with no significant elevation gain or difficulty.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-marked route.
- Orange: routes presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route conditions (markings or visibility of the path).
- Red: difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment presenting some hazards.
- Black: route on a fairly difficult trail and/or involving imminent dangers.
- White: routes in very challenging technical environments requiring specific equipment.

From (S/E) to (6): Blue difficulty
The route follows a path over a few steep slopes.
Yellow markings + signposts up to point (1), then no markings.

From (6) to (7): Blue difficulty
The^first challenge is spotting the path to take, which is only faintly visible for the first few metres: this is a new route not shown on maps (OSM and IGN), which then joins the route that is marked on the map (note that it is of course possible to follow it, but the terrain may be somewhat difficult to navigate). From there on, the rest of the route is relatively straightforward.
No signposting.

From (7) to (8): Orange difficulty
The first section follows a path that is slightly less visible. Further up, the route then runs along the foot of cliffs on a narrow path exposed to steep slopes and the potential risk of rockfalls (caution).
No signposting.
From (8) to (9): Blue difficulty
A pleasant path is followed through the undergrowth.
No signposting.

From (8) to (10): Red difficulty
From this point, the route follows off-trail terrain and the main difficulty encountered is navigation (route mapped by OSM):
-^initially, continue straight ahead facing the slope through semi-wooded terrain,
- once you reach an open area, head right, crossing a short wooded section
- overlooking a ravine, head left into a rocky area where you may need to use your hands slightly.
- from there, you need to read the terrain carefully as there is only one possible route. Not far on, follow a narrow ledge to the right, then head left.
No markings.

From (10) to (11): Blue difficulty
Continue in the same direction, climbing upwards whilst staying close to the cliffs you are overlooking:
-^initially, this is done over somewhat uneven terrain, aided by a few faint blue markings.
- later on, you follow a path that disappears at times.
Blue markings
From (11) to (12): Orange difficulty
Follow the path uphill, then take care to stay on course in sections where the path temporarily disappears, mainly near karstic caves.
Blue Markings

From (12) to (13): Red difficulty
^Initially, the route follows a downhill path where you must be careful both with your direction and the rather steep slopes, particularly on one section requiring downclimbing.
The^second section involves climbing: this begins with a short section requiring the use of your hands, then continues on a less difficult section.
Blue route marking

From (13) to (14): Orange difficulty
This section is completed on the descent over a few steep slopes where you must pay close attention to your direction.
Blue markings

From (14) to (15): Blue difficulty
The route runs through woodland on fairly gentle downhill slopes, winding left and right (follow the markings as closely as possible). Along the way, a few sections over sharp limestone pavements require a degree of caution.
Blue markings

From (15) to (16): Green difficulty
We follow a path that leads us relatively easily to the Col du Pertuis.
No markings

From (16) to (17): Blue difficulty
After a short tricky section on a well-maintained path, the route continues along a forest track.
Yellow arrow markings + signposts.

From (17) to (19): Blue difficulty
After the hairpin bend, you tackle a steep downhill slope until you reach the junction. From there, the route continues for a long stretch along a gently sloping path.
No signposting

From (19) to (20): Blue difficulty
You follow a forest track for a good distance without encountering any difficulties.
No signposting

From (20) to (21): Blue difficulty
You come to a path with no steep inclines. After the hairpin bend, do not follow the signs for Chessenay at the^first junction on the left.
Yellow arrow markings

From (21) to (22): Blue difficulty
Follow a track, then a path, up a fairly gentle incline. Further on, the route descends via a few hairpin bends. Please note: the path has collapsed in one section and you must take a detour to the left.
Yellow markings + old signposts at the end of the section

From (22) to (S/E): Blue difficulty
Follow a downhill path, keeping to the signposts. Take care with the signpost visible just past the picnic table (point (1)), which is quite damaged.
Yellow markings + old signposts

Mont Téret.

Glières National War Cemetery.