Lac de Tardevant and the summit of L'Ambrevetta and Tardevant
A great walk for the family. You can choose between going to the lake and back or going right up to the top. The latter is easier than it looks and is actually less steep than the ascent to the lake.You will be rewarded with magnificent views.
Technical sheet No. 1439741
Calculated time: 7h00[?] 
Distance : 12.97 km
Vertical gain : 1,146 m
Vertical drop : 1,143 m
Highest point : 2,469 m
Lowest point : 1,409 m 
Difficulty : Difficult
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Areas :
Alps
, Aravis et Bornes
Location : La Clusaz
(74220) 
Starting point : N 45.919947° / E 6.479742° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(D) Park at the Lac des Confins either at the parking just after the small chapel or further along. In the summer get there early to ensure that you have a place.
From the parking take the good right-hand track towards the Chaine de Aravis combes, if you have come from the further car park take the track and arrive at (1)
Continue along the good track with the Aravis on your right, you will pass the turn off for the Trou de la Mouche, ignore this and continue past La Bottiere to buildings at Paccaly (2) turn up right just before the buildings.
Keep on the path which ascends past Paccaly d'en Haut (3) and a small building with signposts for Combe de Paccaly. Ignore that and keep going on the path to the Lac de Tardevant.
The path soon joins a track (4) , turn right and keep ascending past the turn off for the chalet/barn. You are now walking through high pasture and heading towards a slab of limestone. The path turns left and ascends under the slab before turning right above it again, and zig zags to the Lac de Tardevant (5). Lots of people come this far only, the lake is a great place the relax and enjoy the view back down the valley and also up into the Combe. As you look up on the left you will see the grassy top of the Tardevant; it looks like a steep climb but is actually easier than it appears.
From the lake continue up the track which soon levels off and then leads to a sweeping scree slope (6) . (There may be patches of snow to be crossed but in summer this will not be hard).
The scree slope has a good path and is a steady gradient leading diagonally left up to the ridge. Near the top ther are many small tracks which lead up and there may be a few meters of easy scrambling on rock to reach the grassy slope which makes up the ridge (7).
Take the ridge leftwards, enjoying the great views in all directions, the is a good track but as it curls right make the short climb up to the summit of the L'Ambrevetta. (8) Walk down to the ridge that leads to the Tardevant (9)
You will be rewarded with stunning views in all directions from the ridge and the two summits. The ridge is also a good place to stop and eat your sandwiches before descending the way that you came up.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 1,409 m - Parking at Lac des Confins
1 : km 0.54 - alt. 1,464 m - Continue along the good track
2 : km 1.68 - alt. 1,485 m - Paccaly
3 : km 2.8 - alt. 1,672 m - Paccaly d'en Haut
4 : km 3.32 - alt. 1,750 m - Turn right along track
5 : km 4.78 - alt. 2,121 m - Lac de Tardevant
6 : km 5.23 - alt. 2,230 m - Scree slope
7 : km 5.79 - alt. 2,352 m - Take ridge leftwards
8 : km 6.08 - alt. 2,417 m - Ambrevetta
9 : km 6.53 - alt. 2,468 m - Tardevant
D/A : km 12.97 - alt. 1,410 m - Parking at Lac des Confins
Useful Information
The walk to the lake is popular but remember you are in a high mountain range. If storms are forecast make sure that you have appropriate clothing for any changes in the weather.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
You will enjoy the variety of scenery, from the pastures to the rugged mountain environment. Unlike many of the Aravis peaks, the Tardevant is a grassy summit and has an almost Lake District feel to it.
Other walks in the area
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
