Le Rocher de Villeneuve - La Montagne

Although located on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, the Rocher de Villeneuve is a little-visited peak that nevertheless offers a stunning view of the Vanoise glaciers.
There are few markings, but there are directional signs at strategic points.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 930 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 929 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,182 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,383 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the entrance to the hamlet of La Croix, as parking is not possible further on.

(S/E) Enter the hamlet and continue to the Fontaine à Auguste.

(1) Turn right after the Auguste fountain, then left 50 metres further on. Shortly afterwards, turn left and begin the almost straight climb, initially heading west, then becoming increasingly winding and steep as you approach the forest. Leave the forest at the intersection at an altitude of 1,881 metres.

(2) Continue on the right-hand branch. Pass below the Chalet les Rossechets to the next intersection.

(3) Continue north through the mountain pasture and reach the Col du Golet at 2,079m.

(4) Turn sharply right to reach Rocher de Villeneuve in about 30 minutes. Then descend via the same route to the junction before Chalet les Rossechets.

(3) Then climb back up to the right towards the small hamlet of La Montagne. Descend to the left towards the south to reach the track.

(5) Follow the track to a cairn on the left of the path, which marks the start of the trail.

(6) The trail is marked with blue dots, which should be ignored. Continue until you reach the intersection with a signpost for Pierre des Bergers.

(7) Take the path on the right as you descend; it leads to a wide track.

(8) Follow the track for barely 80 metres and take the correct path on the left, which leads to another track.

(9) Continue downhill to the hamlet of La Croix to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,383 m - Entrance to the hamlet of La Croix. Near the - Doron de Bozel (rivère)
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 1,393 m - Fountain
  3. 2 : km 1.78 - alt. 1,889 m - Intersection 1881 m
  4. 3 : km 1.95 - alt. 1,904 m - Rossechets intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.21 - alt. 2,085 m - Col du Golet (2079m)
  6. 5 : km 5.99 - alt. 2,003 m - Track at the exit of the mountain.
  7. 6 : km 6.39 - alt. 1,967 m - Leave the track - Cairn
  8. 7 : km 6.83 - alt. 1,856 m - Shepherds' stone
  9. 8 : km 7.46 - alt. 1,665 m - Follow the track for 80 metres.
  10. 9 : km 8.03 - alt. 1,548 m - Return track
  11. S/E : km 8.81 - alt. 1,383 m - Entrance to the hamlet of La Croix

Notes

La Fontaine à Auguste at the start and finish.
Public toilets near the car park.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
dede53
dede53

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
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, quite steep at the start, best done early in the day if it's sunny. The beginning is in the shade, but it gets hot before you reach the pass. The view is superb.

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danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy hike that is worth it for the view of the Villeneuve rock
I preferred to return from the Golet Pass via the rather fabulous ridges of Mont Charvet, which are a little more difficult and vertiginous
You reach the Col de la Grande Pierre and descend without difficulty, rejoining your route in 5
The hike covers 10 km with an elevation gain of 1,130 m and takes 6 hours
Thank you for this guide.

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edeliah
edeliah

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Keep an eye on your GPS if you want to follow the route exactly, as there are many paths in the forest!
This hike is well worth the effort, but may not be suitable for novice hikers as the climb is very steep at the start!

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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this very well-explained route, especially with the help of the GPS track.

- Park in the car park indicated at LA CROIX, a small hamlet with narrow streets that make it a point of interest and a lovely surprise!
- Warm up your muscles: to ROCHER DE VILLENEUVE: 800 m elevation gain over approximately 4.5 km.
- I recommend making a round trip to ROCHER DE VILLEUNEUVE: magnificent view with a waterfall on the mountain opposite. However, be careful with children: there is a cliff with a risk of falling ("Y'a du gaz").
The Rocher is a large plateau where you can eat in peace or enjoy the scenery (allow 2½ hours from the start at La Croix).
- Shortly after LA MONTAGNE: I had to go around an electric fence installed to let cows graze. As the path was inaccessible, I walked along the left side of the electric fence, stepping on the rocks, which are fairly stable and do not pose any particular problem.
Towards ROCHER DES FATTES (7): what is written on the stone? I was able to make out "Adieu..."
After point (8) and for those who are starting to tire: it seems possible to take the forest road on the right rather than the path in the forest on the left, which is a little steeper (I haven't tried it).

My "Visorando" route shows 10.9 km +886 m. Done in 5h24.
Thanks to the contributor for this beautiful walk.

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Runnerup
Runnerup

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thank you for this special hike!

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martine S
martine S

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent view of the peaks.

Another hike that is a must is from Pralognan towards the mountain: the Col de la Grande Pierre and the Charvet ridges.

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