Le Pas de l'Âne and Mont Mirantin

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A multifaceted hike in the heart of the Beaufortain.
Blueberries and Grataron cheese, landscapes and panoramic views of Mont Blanc.
Please note: between (5) and (6) there are a few difficult passages, but cable sections make it easier to progress.

Details

n°734322
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.03 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 861 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 859 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,445 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,596 m
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Photos

Above the Chalet du Lac
Mont Blanc massif

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park, descend along the track for about 50 metres.

(1) Climb into the forest via the path on the left for 400 metres. The climb is steep. At an altitude of around 1,650 metres, you will reach a fork in the path.

(2) Continue climbing to the left, staying in the forest on theGRP® trail. You will reach another intersection when you arrive at the mountain pasture.

(3) Continue climbing straight ahead. The path sometimes cuts across the switchbacks of the pastoral trail. This will take you to an altitude of 2,000 metres. The route continues due west, leaving the paths on the right and left. Go through a gate and continue to the Chalet du Lac.

(4) Pass the chalet and take a rocky path that becomes more difficult, reaching the Col du Pas de l'Âne.

(5) From the pass, turn right onto an unmarked ridge trail towards Mont Mirantin. This section includes a few difficult passages, but cable sections make it easier to progress. Reach Mont Mirantin at 2,460 metres.

(6) Return to the car park (S/E) via the same route you took on the way up.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,607 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 1,596 m - GRP trail
  3. 2 : km 0.5 - alt. 1,709 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 1.03 - alt. 1,834 m - Exit onto the mountain pasture
  5. 4 : km 2.75 - alt. 2,056 m - Chalet du Lac
  6. 5 : km 4.29 - alt. 2,374 m - Pas de l'Âne
  7. 6 : km 5 - alt. 2,445 m - Mont Mirantin
  8. S/E : km 10.03 - alt. 1,609 m - Car park

Notes

Caution: Between (5) and (6), the route is tricky, justifying the hike's difficult rating. Inexperienced hikers should refrain from attempting this route, which should also be avoided in rainy weather.

At the Chalet du Lac, you can buy Grataron, a speciality cheese from Arêches, and there is also a refreshment bar.

Between (2) and (3) there are blueberries.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 18657150
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent panoramic views throughout.
The route to the Pas de l'Âne is easy and well signposted.

Access to Le Mirantin from Pas de l'Âne becomes more difficult with some vertiginous passages up to the cross, despite the presence of safety cables. You will need to use your hands on some passages, so if possible, leave your walking sticks behind before the difficult passages, as they will be useless and even a hindrance up to the cross.

Not suitable for children under 10 (stop at the Pas de l'Âne) and depending on each person's fear of heights (my girlfriend stopped before the difficult sections, I went on alone to the cross)

Return via the same route except for the loop at the end of the hike as indicated on the route, which allows you to return through the blueberry fields!

Note: Parked a little lower than the starting point indicated in this hike.

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fanmirando
fanmirando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

idyllic panoramas.

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Claude2
Claude2
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike starts at around 7:30 a.m. to begin the ascent in the cool of the morning. There is no shade during the hike, so be sure to bring plenty of water.
Parking is available but difficult to access due to the rocky road. It is best to park near the last two chalets where the trailhead signs are located (on the left as you go up).
The first part is through forest, the second part is through mountain pastures, and the third part is rocky.
Small herd of goats
Beautiful view at Pas de l'Âne and before reaching the summit of Mont Morantin. The last part is acrobatic, so don't be afraid of heights! Use your hands to help you and it is advisable to take off your rucksack and poles before the first ropes.
A very beautiful, challenging hike that is well worth the effort.

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JP et D
JP et D

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. Magnificent panoramic view at Pas de l'Âne. For the ascent of Mirantin, it is best to leave your bag and walking sticks at Pas de l'Âne. Not recommended for people who are prone to vertigo.
This hike is in full sun both ways, so it's best to set off early in the morning with a hat and water.

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JODIDO
JODIDO

Thank you for your help! I'm going to spend a week in Tarentaise and Beaufortain, and I might do this hike...

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Bisserain73
Bisserain73

From Arêches le Planay, take a small road to the hamlet of Plan Villard.
There is a small car park above the hamlet.
Enjoy your hike.

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JODIDO
JODIDO

Hello,

Sorry, but the starting point for this hike is not mentioned!
Would it be possible to get more details on this?
Thank you.

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JMP13
JMP13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with superb views. We met Olaf, the shepherd who would have loved to nibble on our calves... The stop at the lake chalet on the way back is pure bliss, very pleasant and with a beautiful view.

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tijojo
tijojo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. There is a tricky section (requiring the use of your hands) to climb up to Mirantin. Access to the starting point is via a narrow road and then a somewhat rough track.

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rage2001
rage2001

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb to Pas de l'Âne from Plan Villard follows a variant of the GR de Pays du Tour du Beaufortain.
From the very first few hundred metres, views open up onto Mont Blanc. You also look down on the village of Arêches.
A break at the Chalet du Lac is welcome before tackling the final, fairly steep climb.
From the summit, there is a beautiful view of Albertville to the west.
The legendary Pierra Menta and the distinctive Parozan breach are visible to the east.

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baf9901
baf9901

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, which begins among blueberries, continues through mountain pastures, and climbs up to the Pas de l'Âne, where the landscape is already stunning. The climb to the top of Mirantin is quite long, as you have to scramble using your hands, but it's worth it for the magnificent 360° panorama.
No difficulty up to the Pas de l'Âne.

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toposrandos
toposrandos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike: at Plan Villard, don't hesitate to continue on to reach a car park indicated by a wooden sign (and also in the Visorando guidebook!!).
We were alone there, whereas in Plan Villard, many cars were struggling to find parking spaces!

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