The summit of Lancebranlette

The highest point in the commune of Séez at an altitude of 2,936 m, where you’ll discover an exceptional panorama.

Details

3542194
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.14 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 772 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 772 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,926 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,148 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Alps
  • ⚐ City: Séez (73700)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.67177° / E 6.87597°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3531ET, 3531ETR, 3532ET, 3532ETR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Hospice car park at the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard.

(S/E) Take the signposted path: Lac sans Font-Lancebranlette heading north-west behind the Petit Saint-Bernard Hospice.

(1) Cross the Torrent du Reclus then climb the winding path through the mountain pasture to the junction with the path to Lac sans Fond (a sign).

(2) Leave the path leading to Lac sans Fond on your left. Head straight on towards Lancebranlette and continue across the mountain pasture towards the north-west until you reach the base of the schist outcrops.

(3) Continue across the scree to the right of a rocky ridge; it is steep but stabilised by logs. Reach the grassy saddle on the west face of the summit. Continue via wide switchbacks across the grassy slope until you reach the edge of the summit ridge. Pass the orientation table and a bench; a break by the orientation table offers an ideal view of Lac sans Fond below. Then reach the summit of Lancebranlette.

(4) Follow the same route back as on the way up to return to the Hospice car park at the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,154 m - Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard
  2. 1 : km 0.22 - alt. 2,148 m - Torrent du Reclus (cours d'eau)
  3. 2 : km 1.53 - alt. 2,421 m - Junction with the path to Lac sans Fond
  4. 3 : km 2.03 - alt. 2,545 m - Base of the schist
  5. 4 : km 3.54 - alt. 2,921 m - Lancebranlette
  6. S/E : km 7.14 - alt. 2,154 m - Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard

Notes

From 1 July to 31 October: open daily (weather permitting)
Marked trail; to avoid contamination, do not fill your water bottle downstream of the herds of cows.
Wear good walking shoes; the south-facing aspect means the snow patches melt early.

Worth a visit

Male ibex on the eastern ridge visible from the trail at a safe distance.
Herds of Tarine cattle in a Beaufortain atmosphere.
Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard: new visitor centre, accommodation, restaurant, museum and tourist information in the renovated former hospice.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
adelebt
adelebt
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I went for a walk with my dog; there was a tricky section with a handrail (I’ve attached a photo) which he managed to get round on his own by taking the left-hand side. Otherwise, everything was fine in the lovely weather, with a stunning view at the top (and plenty of wind!).
Thanks for the guide.

Machine-translated

ChristianNo
ChristianNo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

This hike is best undertaken in fine weather to enjoy the view of the south face of Mont Blanc. The steep and somewhat exposed section is very well secured. Not recommended if you suffer from vertigo or lack mountaineering experience.

Machine-translated

SP1
SP1

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a fairly challenging hiking route

Machine-translated

Petite Jeanne
Petite Jeanne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful walk with a splendid view from the summit!
It’s fairly easy to get to, even if the short section through the scree slope might seem a bit steep and ‘impressive’ on the way up (it’s all relative – there’s no precipice or anything, but it’s less well-equipped than I thought it would be from reading the description)...
You find yourself thinking, ‘Oh dear, what’s it going to be like on the way down?’. Actually, it’s very easy if you take your time; the dust on the ground is quite grippy and doesn’t slip... even more so with poles!
And it’s well worth the detour...!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.