Mont Charvin

The unmissable hike in Saint-Jean-d'Arves.

Details

12956224
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 770 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 762 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,203 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,511 m

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park, climb up into the village. Cross it by passing between the houses on the road and the path furthest to the left. When you reach a meadow, climb up a series of hairpin bends. You will reach the signpost: Sur les Broues.

(1) From the sign, take the path on the left. Shortly afterwards, at an intersection, take the narrowest path on the left, ignoring the one that climbs to the right. Walk along this path for a long time, alternating between small climbs and descents, crossing two valleys. At the hamlet of Le Mollard, rejoin the tarmac road to reach the hamlet of small pass.

(2) Take the track that climbs to the right towards the Col d'Arves, whose cross is already visible.

(3) At the pass, turn right. After 400 metres, stay on the right-hand path. The climb quickly becomes steeper, particularly in the section with hairpin bends. You will reach the summit of Mont Charvin.

(4) From the summit, begin to descend for about 350 metres until you reach a junction with a beautiful view of the Cheminées de Fées de la Combe Genin.

(5) Continue south, overlooking Combe Genin on your left, then the path will change direction, heading south-east. This is a balcony path with beautiful views of the Aiguilles d'Arves before it enters the forest.

(6) Continue descending south-west to the signpost: La forêt d'Outraz.

(7) Continue descending to the left towards the La Ramettaz clearing: signpost 1680 m.
Turn right towards Le Villard, 5 minutes away.

(8) Turn left and, via a wide circular loop, descend to Le Villard (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,511 m - Le Villard car park
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 1,662 m - Sur les Broues
  3. 2 : km 2.08 - alt. 1,602 m - Le small pass
  4. 3 : km 2.99 - alt. 1,750 m - Col d'Arves
  5. 4 : km 4.4 - alt. 2,202 m - Mont Charvin
  6. 5 : km 4.77 - alt. 2,156 m - Combe Genin
  7. 6 : km 5.99 - alt. 1,871 m - On the right
  8. 7 : km 6.74 - alt. 1,739 m - Outraz forest
  9. 8 : km 7.15 - alt. 1,662 m - On Le Villard
  10. S/E : km 8.2 - alt. 1,511 m - Car park

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Jean.Taverne
Jean.Taverne

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route made possible by very little snowfall at the start of winter and beautiful weather. However, this route is difficult with steep slopes and sections that are easily slippery.

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User 24623935

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Start the climb from St Jean d'Arves via the Col de la Chal. Make sure you have good footwear, as the climb is challenging with tricky sections and steep slopes up to the summit. Descend through the forest via the Cheminées des Fées for guaranteed magnificent scenery.
Personal opinion: it is better to do this loop than to plan the descent via the Col de la Chal, as the descent can be dangerous and I do not recommend it in rainy weather.

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florando
florando

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Florian, 24 years old, occasional hiker who really enjoys beautiful hikes with interesting elevation changes.

Hello, I wanted to give you my opinion, knowing that I am, in my opinion, an intermediate hiker.
I think that if you don't have a strong mind and good experience in hiking, then this hike is not for you.
Honestly, I enjoyed the view from the summit, which is simply sublime! But the climb (600m elevation gain) is over a little more than 2km with little grip. The same goes for the descent, which is also very steep and without grip.
I recommend this hike to those who enjoy elevation gain and are well equipped.

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bleu78
bleu78

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In fact, I climbed Mont Charvin from Le Corbier. There were quite a few workers in pick-up trucks preparing for the winter opening of the ski lifts and mountain chalets, but hardly any hikers. I did the circular Mont Charvin (still a little frosty in the morning) then Pointe du Corbier and Ouillon via the ridges. Beautiful panoramic views: the Pic de l'Etendard and its glacier, the Cime des Torches, the Meige, the Aiguilles d'Arves, the Aiguille de Poclet, the Grande Casse, Mont Pourri, Mont Blanc, Belledonne and the Aiguilles d'Argentière: a feast for the eyes above the empty pastures in autumn. A very pleasant 7 hour 40 minute walk on comfortable paths with a beautiful blue sky and sunshine.

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PrahaBcn
PrahaBcn

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with magnificent views. But beware, the climb is very steep and rugged, on a dirt path with small, slippery stones, not suitable for young children or people who are afraid of heights (!). The descent through the forest is less interesting (poor visibility) but easier to walk down (much less steep). The end of the path is closed due to a landslide (summer 2024), so you have to take a local road for the last 2 km to complete the circular route and get back to your car.

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ophiolite
ophiolite

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, with a summit offering views of several surrounding valleys, forests and pleasant meadows.
The start of the route is difficult to follow; you have to constantly check your location to find the path higher up, which is a shame.
Furthermore, I think the difficulty level is underestimated: the slope is very steep and slippery. Not recommended for people with little hiking experience. Walking sticks are highly recommended.

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DD 42
DD 42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but a steady climb to reach the summit, with lovely weather and a fantastic view.

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Guillaume Véronique
Guillaume Véronique
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is very beautiful, with superb scenery.
At this time of year, the colours of the forest really bring out the beauty of the mountain landscape.
Highly recommended. The descent is steep and we would like to do it again in the opposite direction to the one suggested.
See if the descent would be easier_

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DD 42
DD 42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route, but to reach the summit of Mount Charvin, the climb is very steep and difficult.

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Gregoriale
Gregoriale
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

We tried this hike at the end of March.
On the plus side: we didn't meet anyone, which was perfect for the dog. Beautiful views.
Negatives: very difficult from stage 4 onwards (600 metres of elevation gain in one go), not marked in winter and, as proof, we had no indication of the path, so we followed the GPS track straight ahead but found ourselves stuck on a very difficult slope in the snow where we were sinking (even with snowshoes). We were very scared and I think this hike is very dangerous. So we had to turn back. In addition, this path is very muddy in rainy or snowy weather.
In conclusion, I do not recommend this hike in winter.

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Danielb30
Danielb30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful 360° panoramic views. Few trails. From the Col d'Arves, the path is very steep going up. The descent after the fairy chimneys is also very steep, and certainly difficult when the ground is wet. I didn't have walking sticks, but it's better to have them for this hike.

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hsportemer
hsportemer

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done in June, so no one else on the trails. In certain places during the low season, the route isn't very well marked, so you have to use geolocation to find your way through the meadows.
A truly magnificent route that is well worth doing. I would classify this hike as difficult and in any case not recommended for children as some sections are dangerous.
Walking sticks are recommended.

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