The Col de la Forclaz from Entremont to Le Petit Bornand

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In the commune of Glières-Val-de-Borne, in the Bargy massif, Lac de Lessy is a true gem at the foot of the Pic de Jalouvre. The walk takes you through forests and mountain pastures. It features a short rocky section. The start from La Joux and the return via Montagne de Paradis and Cocogne are what make this walk unique. You pass the two-hundred-year-old hamlet of Les Chalets de Mayse. The Chalet de Lessy is nestled on the lakeside after the Col de la Forclaz.

Details

n°98353757
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.27 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,100 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,707 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,053 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,454 ft
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Photos

The lake and the hamlet of Lessy.
Hamlet of Mayse

Description of the walk

Coming from Bonneville on the D12, after passing through Le Petit Bornand, at the entrance to Entremont, at the small roundabout, take the small road leading uphill to the left. Coming from Thônes, on leaving Entremont, at the small roundabout, take the small road leading uphill to the right. After passing Le Chambaudian on your right, before reaching Neply, follow the small road to the right as far as La Joux, about 1 km from the RD12. Park the car wherever you can. Beforehand, you will need to have left a car at the car park by the town hall in Le Petit Bornand for the return journey.

(S) Take the path that enters the forest, climbing steeply.

(1) At the junction, leave the stream you have been following until now and head firmly to the left. Follow a contour line to reach the Ruisseau des Combes.

(2) After crossing the stream, join the GR®96 on a track suitable for vehicles.

(3) Follow this wide track, turning right towards the Chalets de Mayse.

(4) Cross the hamlet and continue on the GR® 96 to the Col de la Forclaz. Lac de Lessy is below:see § Practical information.

(5) Leave the GR®96 and take the balcony path to the left through the pastures. Before the path turns west, enjoy a panoramic view of the Arve Valley and, further away, Lake Geneva.

(6) Descend carefully through the narrow pass protected by a chain. Follow the base of the Rocher de Salin cliff. Pass a section marked as a major rockfall.

(7) Leave Lainvouet on your left and head down to the right along the wide path towards Paradis.

(8) Pass the turn-off to the hamlet on your right, continue straight on and reach a crossroads.

(9) Take the track on the left towards the Chalet des Seneillons and walk for about 200 m.

(10) Cut across, descending as best you can through the field on the left at a signpost.

(11) At the spring, rejoin the path that descends into the forest.

(12) From Cocogne, the descent becomes much steeper with a series of tight bends. The path then heads north, runs alongside the fitness trail and arrives above the Petit Bornand school (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 3,084 ft - A place called La Joux
  2. 1 : mi 0.58 - alt. 3,868 ft - The path heads off to the left
  3. 2 : mi 0.91 - alt. 3,868 ft - Crossing the Combes stream.
  4. 3 : mi 1.04 - alt. 4,012 ft - Arrival on the GR 96
  5. 4 : mi 2.28 - alt. 4,862 ft - Chalets de Mayse
  6. 5 : mi 3.24 - alt. 6,050 ft - Return access to Lac de Lessy - Col de la Forclaz (1844m)
  7. 6 : mi 4.07 - alt. 5,810 ft - Rocky section, secured by a chain.
  8. 7 : mi 4.53 - alt. 5,387 ft - Near the "Lainvouet"
  9. 8 : mi 5.4 - alt. 4,797 ft - Paradis junction, straight ahead
  10. 9 : mi 5.74 - alt. 4,498 ft - Path to the Les Seneillons chalet
  11. 10 : mi 5.89 - alt. 4,396 ft - Signpost indicating the descent across the field
  12. 11 : mi 6.03 - alt. 4,203 ft - Source
  13. 12 : mi 6.41 - alt. 3,780 ft - Cocogne
  14. E : mi 7.27 - alt. 2,454 ft - Route de la Puze, Le Petit-Bornand-en-Glières

Notes

(4) You can get something to eat in the hamlet of Mayse.

(5) From the Col de la Forclaz, you can take a return trip to Lac de Lessy via a good path. This detour adds half an hour to the hike.

Worth a visit

Entremont (S) and Petit Bornand (E) each have a very good bakery.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.