Le Crêt du Char via the Col de Bornette

From the Col de Leschaux road, head towards Bellecombe-en-Bauges, cross the village and continue towards Mont derrière then Mont devant, then climb left onto the Reposoir road, which is normally cleared of snow, to the Petit Reposoir car park, which is now the limit of the authorised road.

(S/E) Continue along the road through the forest until you reach the Reposoir mountain pastures.

(1) Continue along the pastoral road towards Col de Bornette.

Alternative: you can climb directly up to the mountain pasture or take the path at the edge of the forest to reach the Noubloz chalets (downhill trail).

(2) At the Noubloz chalets, continue along the pastoral road to Col de Bornette.

Alternative: you can take the summer path on the left, which cuts across the mountain pasture directly to Le Mollard (downhill trail, steeper).

(3) At the pass, turn left to climb up the pastoral track and a large curve to the Chalets du Mollard. Just before the chalet, you can turn right at Calvaire for the view.

(4) Return to the path and continue towards the chalets.

(5) Continue straight ahead and gradually veer left towards Crêt du Char. At the foot of the steep climb, find the trail that follows a circular route through the forest to the right for a more gradual climb before reaching the lowest point of the grassy ridge in summer.

(6) Walk along the ridge towards the south, beyond the highest point, for a clearer view.

(7) Retrace your steps to the pass.

(6) Descend via the ascent route, or if conditions are good, via the clear, very steep couloir.

(5) From the Mollard chalets, you can either return via the Col de Bornette (3) or, better still, descend straight down the mountain pasture to join the summer path to the pass.

(8) Continue on level ground, passing a few streams, to Le Noubloz.

(2) At the first bend after the chalets, cut straight across the slope to reach the Reposoir crossroads.

(1) Return to the car park via the road. (A/R)

The route is easy up to Mollard. The climb to Crêt du Char is much steeper and more difficult if you have to make your own trail in the forest. The average rating corresponds to a route where the trail is well-trodden in this fairly busy passage.

From (6), the circular route back down to Précherel, described elsewhere, is much more difficult due to a very steep section in the forest at a rocky outcrop. The return via the ascent route is described with variations to remain within the limits of a medium-rated outing.

A beautiful tour of the area's mountain pastures with extensive views of the passes and ridges: Bauges, Bornes, Belledonne, Bugey.