Mont Julioz from Le Châtelard

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An easy hike in the heart of Les Bauges, but you will need to take your hands out of your pockets for certain sections along the ridge. Panoramic views of the surrounding peaks: Trélod, Dent de Pleuven, Dent des Portes, Mont Colombier.

Details

n°80977
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 645 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 645 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,674 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,064 m
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Photos

Summit in sight

Description of the walk

From Le Chatelard, head to the hamlet of Les Garins and park in the car park.

(S/E). Return to the houses and take the first track on the right towards the stopover lodge, which you can see from the start. Note: see practical information.

On the way up, leave the lodge on your left and continue along the track, which climbs very gently.
Pass three hairpin bends and you will reach a platform, from where several trails and paths lead off.

(2) Take the first path on the right, which heads south-east into the forest (signposted Mont Julioz). The path climbs more steeply and gradually turns south-north. The path, marked with paint, will follow the ridge line of Mont Julioz. As you emerge from the forest, the path becomes more uneven and rocky. Reach a secondary summit and continue along the ridge to reach the summit, marked by a pretty metal cross.

(3) Return via the ascent route to Les Garins (DA).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,066 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.09 - alt. 1,065 m - Track on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 1,241 m - Platform
  4. 3 : km 4.3 - alt. 1,634 m - Mont Julioz
  5. S/E : km 8.6 - alt. 1,066 m - Car park

Notes

A marked shortcut is possible on both the ascent and descent between (1) and (2) to avoid the switchbacks on the trail.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 13421223

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Your route does not indicate that you should do the loop and return via the Col de Plane. Descending via the same route is not easy due to the rocky terrain.
what a shame!

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Elsarita
Elsarita

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike. Very interesting for the view of the main peaks of the Bauges.
The end of the hike on the ridges is a bit physically demanding with some large steps, but there are no technical difficulties.
No problem for those prone to vertigo.

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MM01
MM01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The road leading to Les Garins is very narrow and steep, with few places to stop. The official car park is small.
I liked the direct signposted route and was able to climb to the summit fairly quickly. The end of the route over rocky bumps is not shaded, so follow the tracks, which are more obvious on the way down. The path through the rocky section is never very exposed or daunting, but you will need to use your hands and a pair of walking sticks to help you progress. Apparently, a handrail was installed in 2023 to enable people to cross the ridges, but it was vandalised (Châtelard tourist office).

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MM01
MM01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The access road to Les Garins is very narrow and steep, with few places to pull over. The official car park is small.
I liked the direct signposted route and was able to climb to the summit fairly quickly. The end of the route over rocky bumps is not shaded, so follow the tracks, which are more obvious on the way down. The path through the rocky section is never very exposed or daunting, but you will need to use your hands and a pair of walking sticks to help you progress. Apparently, a handrail was installed in 2023 to enable people to cross the ridges, but it was vandalised.

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jeanmichel.t
jeanmichel.t

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

hello...
i downloaded this route but can't find it on my phone. I'm missing the instructions for accessing the downloaded routes. Kind regards, Jeanmichel

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HALOUIN
HALOUIN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with superb views as soon as you leave the forest; the summit offers a feast for the eyes. A significant advantage is the availability of parking spaces. A gradual climb through the forest before tackling the rocky section, where you do need to use your hands in places, but it's not difficult (we're all seniors!). As most of the reviewers have pointed out, this route is best done in dry weather, as the rocks can be slippery when wet.
We returned by the same route; a circuit can be made by continuing along the ridge at the summit, but three people we met in the car park confirmed that they had encountered some tricky sections on their descent.
Thank you to everyone who shares their hikes.
We downloaded the Visorando app the day after this hike and as soon as we started using it, we realised that it is really very good and easy to use.

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bibilavoudonc
bibilavoudonc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Few signs or other markings to indicate the route.
very pretty view from the cross.
Best done in dry weather as there are lots of rocks.

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m7rine
m7rine

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike after the first snowfall. The trail is well marked, and at the end you need to follow yellow signs and arrows.
You'll need to use your hands a little at the end, but it's not too difficult.
It's best to go on a dry day as it can be slippery.

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yamhel
yamhel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This was our first time in the Bauges mountains, and it was a very beautiful hike. I have moderate vertigo, but it went well!

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franky69
franky69

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As some have already mentioned, the signposting from Les Garins is shorter and steeper than the route suggested to P2.
After the forest, the path is a little more technical on the rocks (good shoes and dry weather are recommended)
After the cross, there are two passages with ropes.
On the IGN map, there is a path towards the 1498 contour line that I couldn't find to rejoin the lower path and return, but it is possible to descend through the undergrowth.
The signposting is good (some markings are fading, and there are sometimes three different markings just before you leave the forest, but you can find the path, which is well marked at this time of year).
A nice walk but not for beginners

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castagner
castagner

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike. Towards the end, you have to use your hands a little, but it doesn't seem that difficult to me.
When it's warm, it's ideal, as you're in the forest most of the time.

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castagner
castagner

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, highly recommended

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Stricktrekker
Stricktrekker

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

This trail is popular with young people on nature discovery trips. Accessible and very pleasant for the first few kilometres, it becomes hazardous once you leave the shade, leaving you walking on scree, which can be extremely slippery when wet, as I discovered. Progress is difficult on this section, which is clear for humans but almost impossible for our four-legged friends. This is also an opportunity to carry your pet to help you move forward. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful hike with lovely scenery

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toon74
toon74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful loop trail starting from Les Garins, offering 360° views from the ridges. There were a lot of people at the summit, so we decided to continue the crossing to complete a nice loop without any major difficulties. However, there are two steep rocky sections with ropes, but they are short, and after that the route is fairly obvious and there are several signs at the intersections. Best done in dry weather.

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alarecherchedutempsperdu
alarecherchedutempsperdu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice view
The end is steep and requires the use of hands

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