Pic de la Belle Etoile via Cime de la Jasse

A truly beautiful hike that crosses the Allevard massif, passing by the Lacs du Vénétiers and the Cime de la Jasse (with its superb view of the Grésivaudan Valley), and ending at the Pic de la Belle Etoile at 2,718m.

Please note: this hike is only suitable for people who are physically fit and, above all, have no fear of heights and are not afraid to venture off the beaten track or do a bit of scrambling where necessary.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.14 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Extremely difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,596 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,596 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,703 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,345 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Additional introduction: this hike is only suitable for people who are physically fit and, above all, have no fear of heights and are not afraid to venture off-trail or do a bit of scrambling where necessary. Indeed, the ridge running from the Cime de la Jasse to the Pic de la Belle Étoile is completely unmarked, so you will need to navigate by sight over rocks that can be sheer and steep.

Park in the car park near the Pont de la Betta.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs to the right just outside the bend.

(1) A few hundred metres further on, cross the road and continue along the path opposite.
Then stay on this path until you reach the Aiguebelle refuge, about 2 km further on.

(2) At the Aiguebelle refuge, take the path that climbs to the right towards the Vénétier lakes and reach the first of them.

(3) Continue to your left towards the Cime de la Jasse, which you can see at the top of the valley.

(4) After enjoying the 360° view at the summit of the Cime de la Jasse, head east along the ridge which will take you via the Dent du Pra and then the Col du Voutert to the Pic de la Belle Étoile.
From this point onwards, between points (4) and (7), you will need to be very careful and cautious!
You will be walking for nearly 2 km (which is a long way) along an unmarked ridge where the path is sometimes very difficult to follow. You must therefore not be afraid of heights or of walking—and sometimes climbing a little—over rocks that are sometimes sheer.
However, if you’re not afraid of heights and are in good shape, everything should go smoothly. Although they aren’t always visible from a distance, cairns are placed at regular intervals to confirm that you’re on the right track. You’ll still need to use your common sense to find your way through this rocky chaos. You’ll first reach the Dent du Pra.

(5) You continue eastwards to reach the Col du Vouteret.

(6) You may start to feel tired after the Col du Vouteret; you might be surprised by the number of ascents and descents you’ll have to tackle over small rocky peaks that don’t appear on the map due to their small (relative) size. However, don’t give up – you’re almost there. Do, however, remain cautious, as fatigue can impair your judgement; accidents can happen quickly. Make your way to the Pic de la Belle Étoile.

(7) The view from the peak is simply superb. From there, you’ll need to descend the scree slope on your left, down to the small lake you can see below.
As with the ridge crossing, take care as you’re still on rocky ground and the slope is steep. However, the descent is relatively easy.

(8) After passing the small lake, follow the stream flowing out of it to the right until you reach the hollow of the valley through which the stream flows.

(9) Once in the valley, head up the opposite side to the Col de l’Aigleton, heading west.

(10) Start descending into the valley, where you will find more and more cairns marking an increasingly visible track. Follow this track to the first Lac du Vénétier.

(3) Follow the path you took on the ascent in the opposite direction, towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,345 m - Pont de la Betta car park
  2. 1 : km 0.23 - alt. 1,396 m - Route
  3. 2 : km 2.33 - alt. 1,738 m - Habert d'Aiguebelle
  4. 3 : km 3.91 - alt. 2,089 m - Lacs du Vénétier
  5. 4 : km 5.8 - alt. 2,469 m - Cime de la Jasse (2478m)
  6. 5 : km 6.49 - alt. 2,605 m - Dent du Pra (2625m)
  7. 6 : km 6.87 - alt. 2,527 m - Col du Vouteret (2529m)
  8. 7 : km 7.7 - alt. 2,685 m - Pic de la Belle Etoile (2718m)
  9. 8 : km 8.3 - alt. 2,436 m - Petit Lac
  10. 9 : km 8.97 - alt. 2,128 m - Vallon sous l'Aigleton
  11. 10 : km 9.39 - alt. 2,265 m - Col de l'Aigleton (2266m)
  12. S/E : km 14.14 - alt. 1,345 m - Pont de la Betta car park

Notes

An idea of the timing (at a good pace).

On the ascent:

  • From the car park (S) to the Lacs du Vénétier (3): approx. 1h30
  • From the Lacs du Vénétier (3) to the Cime de la Jasse (4): approx. 1 hour
  • From the Cime de la Jasse (4) to the Dent du Pra (5): approx. 30 mins
  • From the Dent du Pra (5) to the Pic de la Belle Étoile: approx. 1 hour

On the descent:

  • From the Pic de la Belle Étoile to the Col de l'Aigleton: approx. 1h 30m
  • From the Col de l'Aigleton (1) to the Lacs du Vénétier (3): approx. 20 mins
  • From the Lacs du Vénétier (3) to the car park (E): approx. 1 hour

Of course, you must wear walking boots to complete the circular route!

You can find the 360° images I took:
- From the Dent du Pra (5): HERE
- From the Pic de la Belle Etoile: HERE

You can also follow me on my YouTube channel if you’re interested in video content about my hikes, or simply watch the videos I’ve made about this one:
- Summary of the entire hike: HERE
- Summary focusing on the ridge traverse between the Cime de la Jasse (4) and the Pic de la Belle Étoile: HERE

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Thomas._.D
Thomas._.D

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike – technical and quite physically demanding, but enjoyable

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yann38420
yann38420

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike; the path isn’t signposted but is clearly marked by cairns.
Take the time to plan your route between each cairn.
You absolutely must wear good walking boots, be fit, have a head for heights and, above all, go in dry weather.
A route along a long, secluded ridge.

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rulidu73
rulidu73

Great!
It is a tough hike, yes. But absolutely stunning!
Well done!

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Charlie 38
Charlie 38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely hike, but be aware that it is quite challenging.

This hike requires a good knowledge of the mountains as well as suitable equipment.

There are several climbing sections between the Cime de Jasse and the Pic de la Belle Etoile.
It requires a certain level of fitness and good balance in several places.

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who suffers from vertigo.

The scenery on arrival at the Pic is superb, with a stunning 360° view.

I think the times given are slightly underestimated.
I’m a fairly good walker and in good physical shape; my times were:

On the ascent: (didn’t meet anyone on the way up)

From the car park (D) to the Lacs du Vénétier (3): 1h43
From the Lacs du Vénétier (3) to the Cime de la Jasse (4): 1h05
From the Cime de la Jasse (4) to the Dent du Pra (5): 45 mins
From the Dent du Pra (5) to the Pic de la Belle Étoile: 1h14

On the descent:

From the Pic de la Belle Étoile to the Col de la Vache: 1 hour 40 minutes

Afterwards, I carried on to the Pas de la Cloche; it’s another equally pleasant route that leads to the Aiguebelle refuge.

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rulidu73
rulidu73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Do not underestimate the difficulty of the route. It is a very steep ridge walk with some challenging climbing sections in places. And the descent over scree is not easy either.
Under no circumstances should you attempt this if there is snow on the north-facing side.
Otherwise, the view from the summit is breathtaking; I highly recommend it for the beauty of the landscape!

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