La Tête de Christomet from Praz-sur-Arly

de fr

A lovely hike, shaded for most of the route. Beautiful views of the Aravis and Mont Blanc massif. The descent from Plan de l'Aar offers the chance to enjoy several waterfalls.

Details

n°36688350
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 630 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 631 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,832 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,211 m
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Photos

One of the many streams
Le Plan de l'Aar

Description of the walk

Departure from the Granges car park.

(S/E) Follow the path where the signs indicate Christomet and Plan de l'Aar. Pass two troughs and arrive at a three-way junction.

(1) Leave the path signposted Bellevarde on your right and continue on the left towards the Chalet de l'Éculley. Walk alongside it and continue up a steep climb through the forest until you reach a track.

(2) Turn right towards Christomet and the Bonjournal refuge and reach the ridge track.

(3) Turn left towards Plan de l'Aar and head for Tête du Christomet.

(4) Take a break to enjoy the Aravis and Mont Blanc massifs, then continue until you find a path on the left after passing the chairlift.

(5) Follow this path and descend to the Refuge du Plan de l'Aar.

(6) Follow the forest road where the various streams offer interesting waterfalls. You will arrive at a crossroads.

(7) Turn left and reach the Plan de l'Aar car park.

(8) After the car park, turn left towards Les Granges and Les Épines Blanches. The discovery trail climbs slightly then descends towards the hamlet of Les Granges.

(9) Pass behind the houses and continue along the tarmac road to the Granges car park S/E::.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,213 m - Car park, Éculley trail
  2. 1 : km 1.25 - alt. 1,335 m - Intersection, Bellevarde trail
  3. 2 : km 2.87 - alt. 1,748 m - Intersection, Plan de l'Aar-Christomet
  4. 3 : km 3.43 - alt. 1,750 m - Track
  5. 4 : km 4.13 - alt. 1,832 m - Tête du Christomet
  6. 5 : km 4.62 - alt. 1,811 m - Descent to the Refuge du Plan de l'Aar
  7. 6 : km 4.93 - alt. 1,734 m - Forest road
  8. 7 : km 7.06 - alt. 1,438 m - Crossroads
  9. 8 : km 8.4 - alt. 1,291 m - Plan de l'Aar car park
  10. 9 : km 9.6 - alt. 1,238 m - Hamlet of Les Granges
  11. S/E : km 10.05 - alt. 1,212 m - Car park, Éculley trail

Notes

Refreshments are available at the Refuge du Plan de l'Aar in July and August.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Topogeo
Topogeo

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice little loop, but there are roadworks on the way back which spoil this area a bit

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Topogeo
Topogeo

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice little loop, but there are roadworks on the way back which spoil this area a bit

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orso2010
orso2010

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, partly shaded, no difficulties

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phil73
phil73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful hike with stunning views of Mont Blanc

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OLavy
OLavy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike. The entire climb is at the beginning, up to the Bonjournal plateau.

I recommend leaving the trail and heading to the summit of Christomet, where the view of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles is breathtaking. It's an extra 100 metres of elevation gain, but it's well worth the effort.

You can take a break on your way down from Christomet at the Auberge du Bonjournal, which offers a friendly, family atmosphere and affordable meals.

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User 25449944

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike over the May Day bank holiday in glorious weather. The climb is a little steep but can be done without difficulty. Just go at your own pace, especially as you can admire the Mont Blanc range (you forget the climb!). At the top of the route, there was still some snow, but it wasn't a problem for walking (and a treat for the dog). The descent along a forest road is very pleasant as it is punctuated by waterfalls.

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JP et D
JP et D

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk. Very quiet uphill path.
Two points to note. The starting point is at the Reon le Haut car park (signposted).
The car park marked as point 9 is at the edge of the forest. Do not confuse it with the La Tonnaz car park, which is marked on the IGN map.

A suggestion: to avoid the tedious and very busy descent of the Plan de l'Aar mountain road, descend 100 metres along the mountain road and, at a bend, take the path on the right marked "circular baroque de la Tonnaz". This well-marked path through the forest will take you to point 7.

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Pbxl
Pbxl

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful first part to reach the summit. The climb is sometimes very difficult, mostly through the woods along a narrow path. I give the first part an 8/10. However, the descent is uninteresting, as it is on a 4x4 track. I give the second part a 3/10.

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rinettes
rinettes
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant shaded walk
Best enjoyed during hot weather

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Ecologilles13
Ecologilles13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful forest route starting from the Granges car park. Some sections are quite physically demanding as the slope is quite steep, but of course it all depends on your fitness level and age! Please note: after crossing the mountain pasture, there is a section with a cable to hold on to, but it is not particularly difficult to cross. A must-do hike!

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laurent Faivre
laurent Faivre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I like this route because it's circular, which is less monotonous, and there are different types of paths. I took the shortest one. It was a parish-specific to Brittany very nice day. Go for it!

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