Mont Forchat circular from Col du Feu

Departure from Col du Feu. Park in the large car park on the left of the D36 when coming from Lullin (on the right when coming from Orcier).

Directional signs are present at all major intersections.

Red and white markings + yellow arrow signposts (only at intersections)

(S/E) Head west towards Trécout (*) on the tarmac road that starts at the foot of the waste sorting containers. Shortly afterwards, pass through a metal barrier and continue along a wide path. Alternate between short ascents and descents and ignore a forest track on the left.

(1) Continue west on the wide path. Note the rockfall protection measures and enjoy beautiful views of Lake Geneva on the right.

(2) Ignore an opening onto a meadow on the right, turn left at the hairpin bend with the main path and climb into the forest. Leave the forest and walk along a fenced meadow on your right. At the "Trécoud Nord" signpost, continue straight ahead towards Trécoud (*). Climb gently to reach the Trécoud chalets.

No markings

(3) At the "Trécoud" signpost, go straight ahead towards Châtillonnet (green arrow). Go through a fence and follow a path lined with trees, then across a meadow. Descend towards the bottom of a small valley, leaving a grove of spruce trees on your left. Join a better marked path and continue downhill.

(4) Go through another fence (chicane) and take a forest track (not shown on the 1:25,000 map) that curves to the left (ignore the path that goes straight down). Go through a metal barrier, descend and leave the Châtillonnet chalets below on your right. Continue along the forest track (now shown on the 1:25,000 map) and ignore the first steep path on the left.

Yellow markings (rare)

(5) At the second intersection (information sign), turn left towards Très-le-Mont and Mont Forchat. Climb steeply through a beautiful beech and fir forest. Leave the forest and climb up a small valley. This will take you to the Très-le-Mont mountain pasture (signpost).

Red and white markings + signposts with yellow arrows

(6) Then turn right towards Mont Forchat. Follow a path eastwards that climbs diagonally up a grassy ridge.

(7) At a signpost with a red ring (themed trail with several "stations"), continue straight ahead (east). Turn right at the edge of the forest. Then enter the forest and make a hairpin turn to the left.

(8) At the T-junction (station no. 5), turn right. Climb the winding path through the forest, which becomes sparser as you ascend. After a right-hand bend, pass a small chapel on your right and continue south-southwest on a shaded ridge path. You will come out onto open ground at the foot of the summit (statue of Saint Francis de Sales) and go around it on the left to reach it.

(9) From the summit, there are two options:
- Follow the alternative route via the Col de l'Encrenaz described in the practical information.
- As shown on the map, retrace your steps towards Très-le-Mont.

(8) At station no. 5, don't miss the fork to the left. After a hairpin bend to the right, exit the forest. Then turn left to find the red-circled marker post seen on the way there.

No markings

(7) Then turn right, go down a grassy slope and pass between a drinking trough on the left and a pond on the right. Go back up opposite, cross a path and you will soon reach a marker post.

Red and white markings + signposts with yellow arrows

Then follow an alpine track to the right. Pass a fence (oratory) and follow the direction of Col du Feu. Cross the Très-le-Mont car park and continue along its access road. At the entrance to a right-hand bend, continue straight ahead on a downhill path. Cross the road you left earlier and continue on the path opposite.

(10) Return to the road, where you will find two options (both marked in red and white):
- Follow the left-hand variant via Trécoud described in the practical information.
- As shown on the map, follow the road to the right and downhill. After about 30 metres, turn left onto a path that enters the forest (green animal figure). The path narrows and descends significantly. Return to the road, follow it to the right for about 20 metres, then turn left onto a path leading downhill. Further on, cross the road and continue downhill on the path opposite.

(11) Return to the road and follow it to the right. Immediately turn left at the hairpin bend in the road and pass by a metal cross. Ignore a road coming from the right and descend gently along the main road (note the Hermone Chapel opposite and above, and on the right, a beautiful view of Mont Billiat and the Mémises-Oche massif). Ignore a turn-off on the left and continue downhill to the Col du Feu (S/E).

Hiking boots required.

Bar-restaurant at Col du Feu (S/E). Water source at the Trécoud chalets (3). Picnic tables at the chapel between (8) and (9).

(*) Place names:
The place name Trécoud(t) (3) is spelled with a t on the IGN map and on the signs at Col du Feu. It is spelled with a d on site and on nearby signs. In the description, the spelling visible on site has been used (therefore varying depending on the location of the description).

Recommendation:
Between the Chalets de Trécoud (3) and the forest track (4), the route crosses a pasture. If there are animals present, avoid sudden movements and, if necessary, keep your dog on a leash.

Warning:
This hike is easily accessible from spring to autumn. It can be done without special equipment in winter, with the exception of the variant via the Col de l'Encrenaz and only if conditions are favourable: firm snow and no black ice. In case of fresh snow, snowshoes are necessary. In case of black ice, do not attempt.

Variants:
Descent via the Col de l'Encrenaz (only to be attempted in dry weather) - From the summit (9), follow the path west-northwest towards the Col de l'Encrenaz. Descend carefully on the very steep hairpin bends. At Col de l'Encrenaz, turn right towards Très-le-Mont. Descend through the forest and come out onto a pasture. Continue north-northeast to the "Alpage de Très-les-Monts" signpost (6). Continue northeast towards Très-le-Mont and rejoin the main route before the car park.
Descent via Trécoud - En (10), follow the road to the left and, when it immediately turns left, continue straight on towards Trécoud. Descend to reach the chalets (3). Then follow the outward route in reverse to Col du Feu (S/E).
End of the hike at Très-le-Mont - Organise at least two vehicles, one at the Col du Feu car park and one at the Très-le-Mont car park.

Hike completed by the author on 12 March 2022.

- Pleasant forest path and beautiful views of Lake Geneva between (S/E) and (2).
- Lovely alpine atmosphere at the Trécoud (3) and Très-le-Mont (6) chalets.
- Oratories: (S/E); (3); between (4) and (5); between (7) and (10).
- Small open-air chapel between (8) and (9).
- Statue of Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) at the summit of Mont Forchat (9).
- Superb 360° panorama from the summit (9). In particular, Mont Forchat is undoubtedly the place (in France) from which it is possible to have the most extensive view of Lake Geneva.