Le Môle

A lovely family walk above Bonneville, a gateway to the Chablais region via this unusual mountain, offering splendid views in fine weather, of course!

Details

n°158500
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.93 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,320 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,316 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,102 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,783 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: from Saint-Jean-de-Tholome, take the D20 and turn right at the first road. Pass through the hamlets of Grange Cocarde, Le Biollay, Larsenex, Chez Folliez, Ruddé, Bovère and Le Granges. At the end of the road, park in the car park at Chez Béroud.

(S/E) Start in the east on a wide forest track which quickly curves to the left and heads north.

(1) At the junction, turn right towards “Môle via the Petit Môle”. After several hairpin bends, the path gradually emerges from the forest. The slope becomes steeper and you approach a small mountain restaurant. Reach the summit of the Petit Môle.

(2) Continue on past a building (chalet). The climb to the summit of Le Môle begins. The slope is significantly steeper and you begin the ascent of the mountain pasture via a path that branches off to the left towards the north-west and initially runs along the hillside. Climb up through the mountain pasture via two wide hairpin bends and arrive at the junction below the summit, where a signpost indicates the return route via Plan Meulet.

(4) Continue the ascent to the right to reach Le Môle.

(4) Return to the junction for Plan Meulet.

(3) Go straight ahead along the path which climbs the slope directly ahead for a few hundred metres. Take care in wet weather – it’s slippery! Make your way to the Plan Meulet mountain pasture (electricity pole).

(5) Turn left, following the sign for “Saint-Jean via La Bossenaz”. Follow the path through the mountain pasture and then the forest track.

(6) Let the forest track veer to the left and carry on straight ahead along a narrower path marked in fluorescent yellow. Navigate a few hairpin bends, then head due south to reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Keep to the right and continue south on the ascending path to descend to the car park at the start (S/E)…

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,783 ft - Chez Béroud car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.48 - alt. 4,150 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.6 - alt. 5,023 ft - Le Petit Môle
  4. 3 : mi 2.6 - alt. 5,791 ft - Crossroads below Le Môle
  5. 4 : mi 2.83 - alt. 5,961 ft - Summit - Le Môle (1863m)l
  6. 5 : mi 3.33 - alt. 5,121 ft - Meulet map
  7. 6 : mi 3.8 - alt. 4,669 ft - Leave the forest track
  8. S/E : mi 4.93 - alt. 3,789 ft - Chez Béroud car park

Notes

At La Lardère (Petit Môle), a restaurant and mountain refuge that’s very handy in summer for a short break on the way up.

At the junction on the way back (6), you can also turn left and stay on the forest track. This takes you about a hundred metres upstream of the junction on the way out (1). You then need to turn right and walk about a hundred metres to rejoin it.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 42 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
POULIN Gérard
POULIN Gérard ★

Hello, and thank you, Alain Lironi, for clarifying that. The description has been amended.

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alain lironi
alain lironi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The restaurant described in the information sheet at Le Petit Môle no longer exists and has been replaced by a private alpine chalet. However, the Auberge du Môle, situated next to the ‘Chez Béroud’ car park, is a very pleasant place (food is only served at certain times).

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User 31165211

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Yes

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Vieux débris toxique
Vieux débris toxique

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It was quite busy on the first section. No major difficulty getting to the top. A lovely view. Definitely worth a visit on a clear day; otherwise, it’s not particularly interesting. The view from the top is breathtaking.

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Lioneldu69
Lioneldu69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A late climb to set up camp under the starry night sky...
Lots of people on the return journey...
Descent the following day via the eastern circular loop, with a fairly steep start
Magnificent panoramic view stretching from Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc... Sunset over the Jura mountains above Geneva

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raymondehautesavoie
raymondehautesavoie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice, easy route with magnificent views at the summit. The only downside was the wind, which prevented us from staying at the summit for lunch.

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Nosyla
Nosyla

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An incredible hike, done alone on a Thursday in the middle of the week... I hardly saw anyone!
I had the privilege of doing it in autumn, with a sea of clouds all along the way...
It was a feast for the eyes, it was splendid.

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User 2987146

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

there were many people at the top of Le Môle, but on a sunny Sunday in August, this was to be expected.
Lack of signposting for the descent

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OLavy
OLavy

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 : Yes

Beautiful hike in a protected area.
Stay on the marked paths even if you have to leave the route shown on the app.

To increase the difficulty, take the route in the opposite direction

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User 25176362

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike. Highly recommended

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User 25176362

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Comments: It's uphill from the start and hard at the end. Very few places to relax. The start of the return descent is steep. I'm glad I had my poles. Otherwise, it's great at the top. There's a 360-degree viewpoint. You can see Mont Blanc but it was partly hidden by clouds. You can also see Lake Leman. Lovely hike. To be recommended

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samsampetaf
samsampetaf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent view, a pleasant hike for the whole family. Make sure you wear good shoes, especially for the descent.
I recommend it 💪

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annievilliers
annievilliers

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Excellent climb, but the descent via the Meulet route (very steep) is not very well signposted in places.

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Sarudalf
Sarudalf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A classic hike, sometimes crowded, but still worth it. Incredible views at the top, and a relatively safe trail (be careful on the ridge at the summit if there is snow).

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Pie Enth
Pie Enth

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Nice walk, the view from the top is magnificent, but we came back down the same way we went up because section 3-5 is really steep. It would probably be better to do it in reverse to spare your knees on the way down (i.e. follow 1-6-5 - 3 - 4 - 3 - 2)

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