The Lances de Malissard from Les Essarts

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that to reach the start of this hike, do not follow the GPS point but go to the SCIA chalet.
Otherwise, the route is marked all the way. In my opinion, the interesting part of this hike starts at the shepherd's hut, just before the Bellefond pass. I agree with previous hikers that once you reach the pass, the climb up to the ridge is steep and requires you to use your hands and walking sticks. The GPS helped me find my way as the markings lead to steep sections that require you to be comfortable with climbing. Once you're up there, there's nothing left to say, just admire the view with Mont Blanc in your sights.
Thank you for this route.

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Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Car parked in Les Essarts because the actual starting point of the hike is on a dirt track. So that's an extra 3 km in the forest, and a total of 5 hours 15 minutes, excluding breaks.
It really was a superb hike! Beautiful forests, then a zigzag climb to the magnificent Col de Bellefont, accompanied by the sounds of goats and sheepdogs busy on the climb (separated from the hiking trail by a fence). I still came across about ten people, even though it was the middle of the week in September... From point 6 onwards, it becomes quite steep. When I reached the famous red crosses, I went through the middle, as recommended in the other comments. A small path, well marked at the beginning in the grass, then nothing... Maybe I wasn't looking where I was going! So I followed the GPS route, which took me up a steep slope, almost like climbing, through grass dotted with rocks. It was better not to look down... But once at the top of the spears, what a magnificent view!
For the descent, looking down from above at the perfectly vertical climb I had taken on the way up, I preferred to try the official path, which effectively skirted around to the west. The slope was quite rocky and slippery, but less steep and at least well marked with blue and red lines. The choice was yours...
A very beautiful hike with lovely views, thank you 🙏

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent, grandiose landscapes. Truly splendid 😍. Thank you

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Thank you for clarifying the trail on the ridge and for the additional photo

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Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did the hike recently, starting from Les Essarts, more precisely at the end of the paved road, parking in the wide bend. You then take a wide forest path that cuts across the (old) tracks of the estate and follows the hillside. After about 2 km, you will find the path indicated here. There is a slight descent to reach the Col de la Saulce, alternating between forest and open sections, where the grass is quite overgrown.
The difficulty after the Col de Bellefond is finding the right path to the Lances de Malissard. The path is not officially marked (note that there are no official yellow signs at the Col de Bellefond).
Climb up the first steep slope and you will come to a passage on the right with two large red crosses painted on either side (see photo). You need to pass precisely between these crosses, which look like prohibitory signs, to continue along a fairly well-marked and safe path. Otherwise, there is a series of red, white and blue horizontal markings that will take you to the west side, where the path is much more dangerous. To get out of this, I cut across some grassy slopes (fortunately dry that day) after a short, uncomfortable climb. It was only on the way down that I was able to follow the path mentioned above, which leads between the crosses.
Is this a consequence of the conflict with the marquis? In any case, there is no sign indicating private property. And I dare to hope that the peaks are still accessible.

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