The Mont Charvin circular

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A somewhat aerial hike offering spectacular views. The passage by the lake provides an opportunity for a pleasant break.
As the route includes a section of via ferrata, cables are in place during the summer season on the most difficult parts. However, it is not recommended to attempt this route in wet weather, as some sections can be slippery and falls are not permitted.
The final section of this hike is reserved for experienced hikers.

Details

n°1307511
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.86 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,096 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,087 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,407 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,386 m
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Photos

The climbing ridge
Combe du Charvin
Summit of Charvin
Charvin Lake

Description of the walk

Park in the "Les Chandoches" car park, which can be reached by taking the road from Bouchet-Mont-Charvin towards Le Longeret and then Banderelle.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs straight up into the forest (signposted Mont Charvin). After a 90° turn, head north to reach the "La Praz" chalet.

(1) Leave it on your left and take the path that climbs above a small water reservoir. You will soon leave the forest and come out onto alpine meadows, where the slope becomes gentler. After crossing the intermittent stream, you will reach the Refuge de l'Aulp de Marlens.

(2) Follow the path that branches off to the right towards the east in the direction of Mont Charvin. When you reach the stream bed (it may be dry), ignore the track that branches off to the right. After a steep climb, you will reach the crossroads leading to the Col des Porthets.

(3) Head left towards the north in the direction of Col des Porthets, following the signs for Col des Porthets, Lac du Mont Charvin. Reach the pass.

(4) Descend on the other side, follow the path on the right of the valley, then climb up towards Lac du Mont Charvin (heading north-east, then east) until you reach it.

(5) Stay on the path heading south-east towards the eastern ridge of Mont Charvin. You will reach the red markings for the Via Ferrata, which lead to the summit.

(6) Here you have two options:
- Secure yourself to the cables using Via Ferrata equipment (helmet, harness and lanyard)
- Return via the same route you took on the way up

After this section, you will reach the summit.

(7) Continue along the ridge (north-northwest) following the path that descends into a valley (scree and slippery ground if wet) until you reach the crossroads you passed on the way up.

(3) Take the same route as on the way up to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,386 m - Les Chandoches car park (Bouchet Mont Charvin)
  2. 1 : km 1.13 - alt. 1,496 m - Near the Chalet des Praz
  3. 2 : km 2.21 - alt. 1,658 m - Aulp de Marlens
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 1,876 m - Crossroads of the circular
  5. 4 : km 3.78 - alt. 2,070 m - Col des Porthets (2072m)
  6. 5 : km 4.47 - alt. 2,015 m - Lac du Mont Charvin
  7. 6 : km 5.3 - alt. 2,109 m - Start of the cable passages
  8. 7 : km 6 - alt. 2,407 m - Mont Charvin
  9. S/E : km 10.86 - alt. 1,387 m - Les Chandoches car park

Notes

Water point at the mountain chalets, at the lake
Via ferrata equipment available for cable passages.
A helmet is recommended during the descent as stones can easily be dislodged in the valley if there are a lot of people.
At the beginning and end of the summer season, the cables may not be in place (via ferrata closed), making progress more difficult. Information: Ugine Tourist Office - Tel: +33 (0)4 79 37 56 33

Worth a visit

Cheese, food and drinks are available for purchase at the Aulp de Marlens.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
popopontverre
popopontverre

This is the first time I've ever responded to a comment! Indicating through your ratings that the route is difficult to follow when you haven't actually followed it is beyond my comprehension.

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annievilliers
annievilliers

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I climbed in the opposite direction to that indicated by Visorando. The climb is difficult because the path disappears among the scree. I descended via the same route, where the path is much easier to see.
The refuge is closed (October), so no coffee for us!
The view from the summit is magnificent!

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RENE69
RENE69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, but don't underestimate the difficulty, especially the descent along a path with lots of loose gravel. We did it today in 6 hours, including breaks. There were lots of hikers (it's the holidays) wearing just trainers.
A stop on the way back at the Aulp de Marlens farm refuge was very welcome.

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ANTZEMBERGER
ANTZEMBERGER

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

This hike requires good physical condition and sure footing. From the Aulp de Marlens chalet, the slope is steep and not always easy, and the descent through the scree is slippery and difficult. The climb up the east ridge can be done without equipment, provided you do not suffer from vertigo and know how to climb. The route to Lake Mont Charvin is not always easy (few signs and lots of tracks). We were surprised to see many people on this route with very poor footwear and in poor condition. It was a shame that the summit was shrouded in clouds because the view is magnificent.

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le Jo
le Jo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular with magnificent views.
It is best to follow the route indicated on the map, as the descent between points 6 and 7 is not easy.
Be careful in wet weather and on slippery ground, as the section on the ridge can be dangerous.
This hike is only suitable for people who are comfortable on this type of terrain.
On the way back, a stop at the refuge and farm at Aulp de Marlens is perfect... local cheese for sale... excellent!

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zit.bouc
zit.bouc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with some aerial passages and the need to be comfortable with the possibility of climbing a rock face with few handholds. The cables provide safety, but you must not be afraid of the mountain environment.
The summit offers unobstructed views, allowing you to take in the entire mountain range in a 360° panorama.

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Michel Berdou
Michel Berdou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from the "Sous Le Signal" car park.
A superb hike in a high mountain environment. From a distance, the ridge is impressive but very well secured with cables; we crossed it without any equipment. However, you need to be sure-footed and not prone to vertigo. The descent via the normal route is quite difficult before reaching the Porthets pass.

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Guy
Guy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Still snowfields on 29 May, so the path to the summit was not visible.
Very beautiful hike
I highly recommend it.

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luluschnaps
luluschnaps

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very vertiginous cable crossing but accessible without via ferrata equipment

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Randobriot
Randobriot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I was familiar with this circular. On 25/06/2020, I did the circular starting from "sous l'aiguille". This allows you to pass through "Laulp de fier en haut", a pleasant cheese stop. There was still some snow on the ridge, making some sections slippery. It wasn't too crowded that day. Eight hours, including breaks, is a reasonable time for this hike.
Jacques Obriot

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popopontverre
popopontverre

Thank you for your feedback. I will make a note of the clarification for point 2.

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Paul GARILLON
Paul GARILLON

The circular was not completed in its entirety. One group stopped at the lake, another at point 2324 on the north-west ridge of Mt Charvin after three rockfall warnings during the climb up the valley. There were not only mountaineers on the trail and access to the summit (in the opposite direction to the circular route) was very congested.
Details on the map:
(2) Before reaching the crossroads leading to the Col des Porthets, at the bottom of the dry stream, ignore the path that branches off to the right, as it is a steep, earthy shortcut that joins the path to the Mt Charvin valley.
The view from the ridge is truly spectacular.

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lauver
lauver

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful aerial hike at the end

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popopontverre
popopontverre
• Edited:

Hello,
I have corrected point 4. The cable passages are indeed impressive. As an anecdote, I met three young mountain bikers carrying their bikes on their shoulders on the day of my outing; they were climbing towards the summit. Thank you for the photos, they are very nice.

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JCParavy
JCParavy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I set out on this route before it appeared on Visorando.
Climbing from Les Chandoches via Aulp de Marlens and crossing Col des Porthets: it is worth noting at (4) that you first have to descend a little to cross over to Lac du Charvin.
Above Lac du Charvin, towards Pas de l'Ours, faced with the steepness and exposure of the ridge route, being alone and without equipment, I decided to give up: in my opinion, the two passages (rocky then ridge) are beyond even the "seasoned hiker"; it is much safer to be able to "rope up" to the cable for this part.
So I descended, crossed the Col des Porthets again to "Sous la Combe du Charvin" and climbed to the summit via the Combe, the route described on the descent.
I found the path well marked, even if it was eroded in places, and the view from the summit is really worth it.
No problems on the descent. I am attaching a few additional photos.

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