The Tour de la Montagne des Frettes

This circuit starts from the Col des Glières, on the plateau of the same name, in this important resistance site near Annecy.
Note: this hike can be done on snowshoes; see the Practical Information section for more details.

Details

n°3692

Creation:
28 Mar 2012

Last update:
02 Mar 2023

Last review:
30 Jun 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 15.37 km
Average duration: 6h 30
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 738 m
Descent: - 740 m
Highest point: 1,711 m
Lowest point: 1,356 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Aravis et Bornes, Plateau des Glières
District: Thorens-Glières (74570)
Start/End: N 45.966863° / E 6.331964°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3430ET, 3430ETR, 3430OT
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Description of the walk

At Thorens Glières, follow the Plateau des Glières road and park in the large car park at the Col des Glières.

(S/E) Head north-west into the mountain pasture on^{the PR®} (signposted Champ Laitier), which leads to the woods at the ridge. Descend into these woods (signposted with^PR® signs: green background with yellow stripes on the trees). A steep descent will take you to the entrance to the mountain pasture.

(1) Cross the Nant des Brassests stream via the footbridge. Continue opposite towards the Chalet du Plan. Then take the track on the right that leads to the two chalets of Grand Soquet (ONF chalet and private chalet).

(2) Stay on this track heading north-east to reach the Col de l'Ebat.

(3) Here you have two options:
- turn left to reach the summit of Roche Parnal after a tricky passage. Continue along the ridge to Col du Freu, then take the^second path on the right to reach the crossroads at the edge of Ruisseau de la Fontaine Froide,
- stay on the path on the right, which is the route shown on the map, and continue almost horizontally to reach the crossroads at the edge of the Fontaine Froide stream.

(4) Then descend towards the Tinnaz chalets, which are clearly visible, heading steadily east.

(5) Join the^PR® at the chalets that leads to the Col de Spée (signposts). Then descend via the place called Creux des Sarrazins and follow a good path to reach the Refuge de Spée.

(6). Continue the descent along the track serving this refuge, passing the Outan chalets. Then head south-west and take the wide track lined with power lines to reach Fréchet.

(7) Continue in this direction to reach La Mandolière.

(8) From here, take the wide track that leads to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,451 m - Car park
1 : km 2.27 - alt. 1,362 m - Champ Latier mountain pasture
2 : km 4.48 - alt. 1,500 m - Grand Soquet Chalet
3 : km 6.7 - alt. 1,680 m - Col de l'Ebat
4 : km 8.07 - alt. 1,550 m - Crossroads stream
5 : km 8.3 - alt. 1,548 m - Chalets de Tinnaz
6 : km 10.07 - alt. 1,465 m - Spée Refuge
7 : km 11.87 - alt. 1,359 m - Frechet
8 : km 13.22 - alt. 1,385 m - La Mandolière
S/E : km 15.37 - alt. 1,449 m - Car park

Notes

Important note for the winter hiking variant: This hike is entirely feasible on snowshoes, but if you plan to take the Roche Parnal variant, be aware that you will have to cross a landslide that has left large rocks in its wake. Cross it carefully as it is an exposed passage when wearing snowshoes. In addition, the climb between Col de l'Ebat and Roche Parnal can be tricky and requires your full attention.

Worth a visit

A beautiful circuit. Long but thoroughly enjoyable, especially in bright sunshine.
Geographically, this limestone plateau above Annecy is beautifully situated. At the Col de l'Ebat, the view of the Alps is remarkable, with Mont Blanc as the highest peak.
The herds must live a very peaceful life in these mountain pastures, which stretch from the Auges mountains to the Fillière mountains.
Historically, it was the resistance to the occupying forces that sadly left many victims here and is symbolised by this great work of art.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5

Route interest
4.7 / 5

lepilémure

30 Jun 2025 at 00:21 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike starting from Pont de Pierre, climbing up to the plateau via the Pas du Roc. This adds some elevation and kilometres. The loop is beautiful and there aren't really any people on the trails... except when you arrive on the Glières plateau coming down from the Spee refuge. There you'll find tourists who have driven up for lunch in one of the many chalet restaurants. The long climb back up to the Col des Glières on the track isn't very pleasant. I'll study the map more closely, but it seems to me that from the Spee refuge there's a path that joins the Resistance monument while staying on the side of the Montagne des Frettes.

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Toine

26 Feb 2024 at 10:22 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 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 and varied route with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

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RANDOfamCHAMP

30 May 2022 at 11:46 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Under bright sunshine, a real wonder.
Excellent signposting, like all the Glieres circuits.
Steep but short climbs.
Abundant and magnificent flora at this time of year.
View of ibex below Sous-Dine.
Recommended for experienced walkers.
The estimated walking time is very generous, allowing for numerous stops to enjoy the views, observe nature, visit the chalets and visit the memorial at Col des Glieres, which is not to be missed
Best regards and many thanks.

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Alicekloe

30 Jan 2022 at 08:45 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were a little worried when we arrived at the car park and saw that the fields were bare of snow. Fortunately, after the first climb, we found ourselves surrounded by a white landscape with perfect snow. It was a lovely, varied route (alternating climbs and descents), without any apparent difficulties, and a perfect picnic spot at the Col de l'Ebat, with a magnificent 360° view. Be warned, however: the climb up the Col de Spée is challenging and very steep, but we were lucky enough to do it in perfect snow conditions. Only the end of the route is a little long, with a straight stretch that you wish would end a little sooner, but this gives you time to admire the skiers on the neighbouring slope. I'll definitely be doing it again!

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philoulinstit

30 Aug 2021 at 07:03 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Personal data:
4½ hours of actual activity (Strava) and 6 hours including breaks.
18.5 km and 700 m elevation gain (alternative route via the Col du Câble (5 ibex spotted) and the Col du Freu).
Nice circuit but lots of tracks...

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Pauline lcrx

30 Mar 2021 at 19:47 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly physically demanding route with spring snow. The trail is very reliable and interesting. The views from the passes are pleasant. The ascent and descent of the Col de Spée are quite technical on snowshoes.

I completed the route alone in 5 hours and 15 minutes. You'll need to add quite a bit of time if you have children with you and if you take frequent breaks.

Thank you for this hike!

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Cathy21200

17 Mar 2021 at 16:04 3600 • Edited: 17 Mar 2021 at 16:06 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

To be repeated in summer!!

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Cathy21200

07 Jan 2021 at 20:12 3600 • Edited: 07 Jan 2021 at 20:16 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

We had a lovely snowshoe hike. The snow-covered landscape was magnificent!
After two hours of walking (well, snowshoeing), we decided to turn back for fear of walking at night...
We'll happily do this route again in the summer!
Thank you

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meuse

17 Feb 2020 at 19:35 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very interesting hike. Very varied hike: landscapes, forest, path
Splendid views: Mont Blanc, Jalouvre, Cenise and Solaison plateaus
Thank you for your advice:

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meuse

10 Feb 2020 at 18:57 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike in glorious sunshine. An interesting walk in terms of the diversity of the terrain and the beauty of the landscapes. Around 7 hours of walking, but an excellent hike.

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bebert38

26 Aug 2019 at 09:28 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It is important to set off with a map or GPS device, as this hike requires some basic navigation skills. Difficulty finding point 3 (descend towards the chalets). The passage of herds has certainly destroyed the path to be taken. Hike completed in 5½ hours despite hesitations along the way. A few hikers on the trail, whereas the historic plateau was crowded!

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ro_da

05 Mar 2019 at 09:20 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Superb hike
Plenty of wildlife in the hills

Be careful of the large cornice at Crêt de l'Ebrat when arriving from Grand Souquet -> it would be wiser to follow the summer trail (which is clearly visible) rather than climbing directly towards Crêt in poor visibility...

Best done over two days with the family, staying at the Spée refuge or camping next to the Chalets de Tinnaz!

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henri57

21 Dec 2018 at 11:15 3600

Hello,

It is important to set off with a map or GPS, and this hike requires some basic navigation skills.

Not a map OR GPS, but a map-compass AND GPS. The GPS complements the map-compass because it allows you to validate waypoints and thus remove any doubts about your orientation.

See you soon!

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thibault.poujade

15 Dec 2018 at 18:45 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike. Magnificent weather.
Beautiful weather, we followed the trail the whole way.
It's important to take a map or GPS with you, and this hike requires some basic navigation skills.
I highly recommend this hike away from the crowds.

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Berni-1806

14 Feb 2018 at 22:06 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Under bright sunshine but freezing temperatures (-12 degrees), we started the route from the car park at point 1393 (Chez la Jode). The recent snowfall meant we had to break trail from the Col des Glières park to point 1551. We set off too late to complete the entire circuit, so we stayed on the ridge of La Commanderie and Les Fontaines. The weather was too good to go through the forest... we'll have to do it again in April.

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