The Col de Coux via Le Vanet

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Close to Morzine, the Vallée des Mines d'Or has remained wild and unspoilt. This varied hike through the valleys and ridges at the bottom of this valley will allow you to appreciate the tranquillity of this unspoilt natural environment. Superb views of the Dents Blanches, the Dents du Midi and the Balme plateau towards Champéry on the Swiss side.

Details

n°1486221
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 702 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 700 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,075 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,383 m
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Photos

Les Dents Blanches
View of the Dents Blanches
Descent to the Col de Coux
Swiss side

Description of the walk

Park at the Lac des Mines d'Or car park, accessible from Morzine.

(S/E) Head north, leaving the lake on your right, and follow the road uphill towards the Chalets de Fréterolle.

(1) Before the Chalets de Fréterolle, take a path on the left that joins a road towards Beau Bornon. Pass the chalets and turn right.

(2) At the fork, continue straight ahead towards Chalet de l'Aiguille. Follow the switchbacks to climb up the headwaters of the Dranse.

(3) Continue east towards Chalet de l'Aiguille (do not turn left towards Col de Fornet).

(4) After the chalet, head east then south-southeast towards Col de Coux (the path may be slippery). Pass directly below Pointe de la Léchère.

(5) Once you reach the ridge, descend south-east towards Col de Coux (airy passage on the border ridge).

(6) At Col de Coux, turn right (west) onto the path that descends towards the Vallée des Mines d'Or.

(7) At the Chalets de Fréterolle, descend the track on the right.

(1) At the crossroads, continue downhill to reach Lac des Mines d'Or (DA).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,387 m - Lac des Mines d'Or car park
  2. 1 : km 0.87 - alt. 1,492 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.24 - alt. 1,528 m - Fork
  4. 3 : km 2.72 - alt. 1,812 m - Intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.42 - alt. 1,950 m - Chalet de l'Aiguille
  6. 5 : km 4.26 - alt. 2,075 m - Ridge
  7. 6 : km 4.87 - alt. 1,921 m - Col de Cou (Coux)
  8. 7 : km 6.57 - alt. 1,535 m - Chalets de Fréterolle
  9. S/E : km 7.8 - alt. 1,387 m - Return to car park.

Notes

Good hiking boots. Walking sticks can be very useful when the path up to Le Vanet is slippery and for the descent to the Col de Coux. Shelters at the Col de Coux.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Kingzu
Kingzu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike. As mentioned in another review, I recommend climbing up to the Col du Fornet for the view.

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Titouan_Gls
Titouan_Gls

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A peaceful hike, I encountered very few other hikers.
I highly recommend climbing up to the Col du Fornet for a view of all the mountains.
There was still a little snow on the trail in August.
At the start of the descent, the paths are slightly exposed on the ridges and there are some rocky sections, but nothing too difficult (only if you go up to the pass, but honestly it doesn't add much to the climb)
You'll find a picnic table at the top of the return trail, which is really nice, with a 360° view of the entire landscape, a great place to stop and eat.

If you like a challenge, I recommend doing the hike in the opposite direction for a more difficult climb, as the initial route is up a 4x4 track, which I don't find particularly inspiring. In the other direction, you'll find a rocky path surrounded by cows.

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User 13609494

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

Enjoy your hike, but be careful when descending in rainy weather.

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Gilcool 1
Gilcool 1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike, but best done in dry weather as the ridge trail is somewhat exposed in places.

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m.dutour
m.dutour

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A fairly quick walk (1 hour 30 minutes for the ascent, compared to the 1 hour 45 minutes advertised, and 1 hour 10 minutes for the descent). There are several chalets and several options for climbing up to the pass. In the heatwave, we chose to climb up via the forest path, which is quite steep but wooded and cooler, then descend via the pretty mountain pasture trail. Beautiful views of Morzine on the way up, and a pleasant panorama of the Champéry valley as far as Les Diablerets at the pass.

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EdouardP
EdouardP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with superb views of the Swiss side, but the descent to the Col de Coux is a little tricky.

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Daniel740
Daniel740
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful place. I recommend hiking in the opposite direction to better enjoy the scenery and go as far as Col de Fornet. Note that there are flocks of sheep protected by patous (sheepdogs).

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Alain0726
Alain0726

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The most beautiful hike during our week-long stay in Morzine. No ski slopes, no ski lifts...
It had rained in the previous days and the descent from Vanet to the Col de Coux is very tricky in wet weather.

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papijf
papijf
• Edited:

I downloaded the file, but the hike could not take place due to bad weather (storm) in August.

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Nicole Guil
Nicole Guil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. The view under the sun is superb.

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