Pierre Fendue - Col de Doran - Arêtes des Saix

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From the hamlet of Lintre, the route passes through Pierre Fendue, Col de Doran and Arêtes des Saix.
For experienced hikers accustomed to steep slopes. You can add a few extra metres if you decide to take the Quatre Têtes alternative route at Col de Doran.

Details

n°1013517
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.41 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,636 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,640 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,194 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 991 m
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Photos

Ridges at the Col du Doran
mountain landscape
View of Gouille des Fours and La Miaz
Ibex

Description of the walk

Park in the Lintre car park.

(S/E) Take the track heading due west to reach the junction of the Couterre and Mayères chalet trails.

(1) Continue west along the track towards Pierre Fendue and Col de Niard. Cross Bellecombe and then Torrent de Cœur at Pont de la Flée. Pass La Charmette and follow a circular route to reach Pierre Fendue.

(2) Take theGRP® du Mont Blanc trail on the right and head north (Combes des Fours and Mayères) to reach the junction of two trails.

(3) Continue left, leaving the mainGRP® here to take its variant towards Combes des Fours and Doran. The gradient becomes steeper. You will reach a new crossroads where the trail becomes a little scattered.

(4) Keep to the path, continuing straight ahead, and go around the mountain in front of you on the left. This area is frequented by ibex and bearded vultures, so you may be lucky enough to spot them.
Climb a small ladder with three rungs and cross the river (this can be done without getting your feet wet), then take the small path on the left (the trail is very visible). You will now be on a flat section, which will give you a chance to catch your breath before quickly reaching another crossroads.

(5) Turn right towards Doran, leaving theGRP® variant towards Combes des Fours opposite. Cross the hamlet of Chambas where the path turns right at a right angle towards the Col de Doran. Reach the top of the ridge and then a very steep slope with loose stones; however, the path is still passable. Stay on this path until you reach the foot of the next ridge.
Climb this ridge, which is not Col de Doran (Col de Doran is the next ridge). Climb up to the top on your left, then descend to reach Col de Doran.

(6) Continue straight ahead (north) towards the Doran refuge. There is a long descent through the rocks before you can see the refuge. Join theGRP® variant of the Tour du Pays du Mont Blanc.

(7) Take it to the right towards Mayères and start the climb to the Arête des Saix.

(8) Continue on theGRP® and begin the long descent to reach the Chalet de Mayères at the Altisurface.

(9) Leave the refuge and continue along theGRP® variant, quickly crossing the actual GRP®. Cross theGRP® and take the path opposite towards Lintre, quickly reaching the orientation table on the Mont Blanc range.

(10) Keep to the path on the right. Make a large circular loop through the forest to reach the crossroads with a wide track. Continue on the path to the left and reach the Couterre chalets after passing two turnings on the left.

(11) Turn right and continue downhill to the initial crossroads.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route as on the way out to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 995 m - Lintre car park
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 1,061 m - Col Niard - Mayères crossroads
  3. 2 : km 4.14 - alt. 1,400 m - Pierre Fendue
  4. 3 : km 4.86 - alt. 1,395 m - Combe Fours - Mayères crossroads
  5. 4 : km 5.76 - alt. 1,714 m - Combe Fours crossroads - Pas de Montieu
  6. 5 : km 6.34 - alt. 1,870 m - Carrefour Fours - Doran
  7. 6 : km 8.49 - alt. 2,158 m - Access to 4 Têtes - Col de Doran
  8. 7 : km 10.53 - alt. 1,554 m - Doran - Mayères crossroads
  9. 8 : km 11.54 - alt. 1,828 m - Arête des Saix
  10. 9 : km 13.12 - alt. 1,565 m - Altisurface - Refuge de Mayères
  11. 10 : km 13.79 - alt. 1,473 m - Orientation table
  12. 11 : km 15.28 - alt. 1,190 m - Coutere
  13. S/E : km 16.41 - alt. 991 m - Lintre car park

Notes

Between (2) and (3), there are three water crossings (no difficulty).
(4), you will see the Cascade des Fours waterfall (it is beautiful).
(5), you cross a small river.
Between (7) and (8), you cross a small river (no difficulty).

Wear standard hiking gear with good shoes; no special equipment is required
outside the snow season.

(6) Unmarked alternative route: option to visit the Quatre Têtes at 2,364 m (return trip, Col Doran--Quatre Têtes, plus picnic, allow about an hour).

Worth a visit

(6) If you are feeling energetic, have a picnic on the Quatre Têtes, where there is a magnificent view of the valley and the Mont Blanc range (you are still among our friends the chamois, ibex and bearded vultures).

Possible encounters with:
- Between (4) and (9) ibex,
- Between (5) and (7) Chamois and bearded vultures.

- (9) Aircraft landing next to the Mayères Refuge.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
AnaJamLuz
AnaJamLuz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I'm used to hiking, and lately I've been doing some "very difficult" hikes. But I have to say that this one was particularly difficult (or maybe I wasn't in the best shape that day). First, I came across three herds with patous (sheepdogs), and although I know how to react, I admit that it always stresses me out because you never know... Then, just before the Doran Pass, I couldn't find the right path. I think there must have been a landslide or maybe I missed something... Once at the top, the view is incredible but very vertiginous (I strongly advise against it if you're prone to vertigo) with three options. I chose to head back down towards Doran and then do the planned loop. My watch said 20 km rather than 16, which made it a bit longer, and I felt like I would never get there. I think this hike is best done with a partner if you're not used to very difficult hikes

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Gychor
Gychor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2024
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, but be careful at the Doran Pass, which is very exposed and magnificent!
However, at the Mayères "refuge", we were refused water and permission to pitch our tent – not very mountain-friendly. It's more like a hotel than a refuge.
On the other hand, the Doran refuge was great, so go and sleep there instead!

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rMIDv
rMIDv
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, don't be surprised by the elevation gain, a real treat in terms of scenery with views of Mont Blanc, the Col de Doran offers breathtaking views! For me, as a bivouac hiker, the descents require a lot of caution, as always! A quick coffee at the Doran refuge, perfect for setting off again.

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marcelB
marcelB

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

Hello,
Hike completed in good weather, a little hesitation between P5 and P6 at 2140m to reach the ridge leading to the Doran Pass. A well-marked trail leads there.
Thank you to the author for sharing this.

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leopard
leopard

Thank you for this additional information about the reopening of the bridge.
This message encourages me, and I will prepare other hikes that I frequently do in the Aravis mountains and which are of the same level.
I hope everyone enjoys this route.
Happy hiking!

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zbh0170
zbh0170
• Edited:

Hello,

Today, I completed the route between sunshine and fog. There was a little snow at around 2,000 metres (but more noticeable below the Col de Doran in its northern sector and at lower altitudes).
During the hike, I was lucky enough to come across a herd of ibex just above Chambas.

The work on the Pont de la Flée bridge has been completed and access is now permitted, which means that the hike can now be completed as described by the author.

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leopard
leopard

Thank you for the compliments. I love this route and do it every year. I've never taken the Pointe Percée variant. Every time I pass by, I'm tempted, but I haven't dared to venture there alone until now.
I'll end up getting someone to accompany me.
The Aravis offer some beautiful hikes. I need to get to work and suggest some.
Best regards.
Georges

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baptiste1
baptiste1
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in good weather (important for the rest of the story).
I confirm that the bridge is closed, as reported by @zbh0170.
A magnificent and relatively uncrowded route, the Col de Doran really surprised me; I loved this section.

There is a circular option not mentioned that I did from Doran, where you can follow the path on the left and climb the peak pierced by the Sallanches chimneys. In addition to reaching the highest peak in the massif, you pass through a less frequented area.
HOWEVER, please note:
- the hike becomes extremely difficult.
- The Sallanches chimneys require you to be comfortable on rock: climbing steps are necessary and are well exposed, and above all, you need to be comfortable enough to be able to take them on the descent. OTHERWISE, you risk having to descend via the normal route from the peak and repeat a somewhat challenging climb in the scree to the Col des Verts. (approximately 350m+).
- This adds another 650 metres of elevation gain, which is not easy either on the way up or on the way down, so you need to be prepared for the strain on your legs.

For the most courageous and experienced hikers, it's worth the detour!

For me, it ended up being a 6 hour 15 minute hike, 19.8 km and 2300 metres of elevation gain, and one of my best outings of the year. A big thank you to the author for this magnificent outing.

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zbh0170
zbh0170
• Edited:

Hello,

I had the opportunity to do this hike again on 9 July: it was noted that access to the Flée bridge is currently prohibited due to ongoing works (read here). Given this, you should turn right at the first fork after the starting point (corresponding to the return route) and then follow the temporary signs indicating the directions to "Pierre Fendue" and "Chalet de Cœur" in order to rejoin the route as described.

Kind regards

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leopard
leopard

Thank you, I appreciate your kind message.
I had just done it the day before, on Friday 22 June, and found no traces of anyone else. I think I may have broken trail for the season.
Admittedly, it's a bit physically demanding, but I like it. I hadn't expected to encounter such large snowfields.
But my 68 springs handled the situation well.
I have at least two other hikes that are just as challenging in the Arravis and near Doran.
Your message encourages me to share more.
Best regards.
Leopard

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zbh0170
zbh0170

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

This hike requires a certain level of physical fitness (due to the distance and significant elevation gain). No major difficulties were encountered apart from the relatively large amount of late snow around the Col de Doran (mainly on the north side towards Doran).
Throughout the route, there are some beautiful panoramic views (Mont Blanc, Cascade des Fours, etc.).
Thank you for this excellent route and its description.

NB: I chose the left-hand option at the Col de Doran towards the Col des Verts. Access was not easy (irregular markings and route).

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