The Charvin circular loop from Sous l’Aiguille

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Mont Charvin is the southernmost peak of the Aravis range. The hike described is quite long and demanding. From the Pas de l’Ours onwards, there is a stunning panorama. The full 360° view takes in the entire Mont Blanc massif, the Chablais, the Oisans and as far as the Vanoise, and even further towards the Gran Paradiso. The summit is hard-earned but well worth the effort. This hike is not recommended for those who are afraid of heights.

⚠️ A user wrote:

> For your information, the via ferrata is ‘open’ from 30 June to 15 October. Outside these dates, the cables are taken down. This was the case on that particular day (17 June).

Details

n°66082415
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5,564 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,607 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,969 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,016 ft
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Photos

The chamois
Start of the descent.
Lake Charvin
Above “l’Aulp du Fier d’en Haut”

Description of the walk

From Thônes, head towards Manigod. At Manigod, below the church, leave the D16 and take the small road serving various hamlets. Do not head towards the Col de Plan Bois, nor further on towards Comburce, but continue towards La Gutary and L’Arblay until you reach the Sous l’Aiguille car park.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, take the forest track until you reach a bend.

(1) Leave the track and follow a path alongside the River Fier; further on, rejoin the forest track and continue to its end.

(2) Continue with the river on your left, then turn right away from it. Next, turn left to reach a ford.

(3) Leave the track leading to La Mandallaz on your left and continue straight ahead towards the Aulp de Fier from above.

(4) Continue due east, then turn south-south-west along the track, towards Lac du Mont Charvin.

(5) Take the path on the left (heading east). Climb up to Lac du Mont Charvin, and continue past it to reach the vicinity of the north-south-running ridge.

(6) Then follow the best of the numerous tracks to reach the distinct ridge leading to the summit of Mont Charvin, following the via ferrata from Ugine.

(7) From the summit, the descent path along the north-west ridge is clearly visible. At the 2324 mark, leave the ridge and descend to the left, first via a few switchbacks and then more directly. You will reach a fork in the path.

(8) Turn right towards the north, then right again to reach the Col des Porthets.

(9) You will then reach the fork near Lac du Mont Charvin.

(5) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to the start of the forest track.

(2) Follow the forest track all the way back to the car park at Sous l’Aiguille (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,085 ft - ‘Sous l’Aiguille’ car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.1 - alt. 4,094 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.42 - alt. 4,436 ft - End of the forest track
  4. 3 : mi 1.23 - alt. 5,236 ft - Ford
  5. 4 : mi 1.89 - alt. 5,925 ft - Aulp du Fier at the top
  6. 5 : mi 2.82 - alt. 6,663 ft - Junction of the circular Lake loop and the summit route - Lac du Mont Charvin
  7. 6 : mi 3.21 - alt. 6,929 ft - Pas de l’Ours.
  8. 7 : mi 3.73 - alt. 7,904 ft - Summit of - Mont Charvin
  9. 8 : mi 4.54 - alt. 6,440 ft - Junction
  10. 9 : mi 4.93 - alt. 6,834 ft - Col des Porthets (2072m)
  11. S/E : mi 8.06 - alt. 4,016 ft - “Sous l’Aiguille” car park

Notes

There is a spring not far from the start, before the hamlet of Le Vargne in Reydet (giant spruce).
Part of the summit ridge of Mont Charvin is fitted with cables.

> The via ferrata is ‘open’ from 30 June to 15 October. Outside these dates, the cables are removed

Worth a visit

The Aulp du Fier farm is well worth a stop for cheese when it’s in season… The one down below is too, but for goat’s cheese when you’re heading up to La Mandallaz.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★

Hello Jemzolo

Thank you for the information.
Map annotated.

Machine-translated

Jemzolo
Jemzolo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, but a very physically demanding one that requires suitable footwear. The setting is superb and the view from the summit of Le Charvin is quite exceptional. However, I wasn’t able to climb via the via ferrata; I was stopped by very thick snowfields. As a result, I had to turn back and go via the Col des Porthets to reach the summit.
For your information, the via ferrata is ‘open’ from 30 June to 15 October. Outside these dates, the cables are taken down. This was the case on that particular day (17 June).

Machine-translated

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