Route via Picheru and Col de la Bailletaz from Val-d'Isère

A fairly strenuous hike offering the chance to enjoy the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve, as well as the Bailletaz Nature Reserve, via two passes. The route offers stunning views of the Aiguille de la Grande Sassière and La Tsanteleina to the north.
As the route passes through two nature reserves, please respect the wildlife.
Yellow markings and signposts.

Details

n°40077087

Creation:
14 Sep 2023

Last update:
03 Oct 2023

Last review:
20 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.53 mi
Average duration: 9h 00
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 4,731 ft
Descent: - 4,738 ft
Highest point: 9,350 ft
Lowest point: 5,892 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Vanoise, Vallée de la Tarentaise
City: Val-d'Isère (73150)
Start/End: N 45.460107° / E 6.965764°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3532ET, 3532ETR, 3633ET, 3633ETR
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in one of the car parks along the D902 near La Daille. Please note that car parks may be subject to a charge during the summer months.

(S/E) Follow the D902 uphill and enter the hamlet of La Daille. Turn right and head towards the chapel.

(1) Please note: do not take the path on the left leading to a via ferrata on the cliff face.
Ignore the paths branching off to the left and right and continue straight up to the junction.

(2) Continue straight on to reach the Passage de Picheru.

(3) From here, the climb becomes steep.
Cross the scree slopes of the Passage de Picheru and enter the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve. Snow may still be present in early summer. Arrive above the lake, at a fork in the path.

(4) Turn right onto an old track, which turns into scree, up to the Col de la Bailletaz.

(5) Cross over to the other side and enter the Bailletaz Nature Reserve, until you reach a crossroads.

(6) Continue straight on to reach the Couart ruins below.

(7) Continue straight on until you reach a fork in the path, below Le Museau.

(8) Ignore the path on the left leading to Les Planets, continue straight on and arrive at a fork.

(9) Ignore the path on the left leading to Le Fornet and continue straight on until you reach the fork at Les Barmettes.

(10) Ignore the path on the left leading to the village of Val-d'Isère and continue straight on until you reach a crossroads.

(11) Turn right to go over the Crêt and reach La Rua.

(12) Turn right and begin a final short climb, of about 150 m, to reach a T-junction.

(13) Turn left to look out over La Rua and reach the Chapelle de la Daille (DA).

(1) Turn left and head back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,899 ft - Plaine de la Daille
1 : mi 0.19 - alt. 5,935 ft - La Daille. Chapel. Junction of the circular loop
2 : mi 0.64 - alt. 6,660 ft - La Bouclia
3 : mi 2.41 - alt. 9,078 ft - Picheru Pass
4 : mi 3.32 - alt. 8,186 ft - Lac de la Sassière
5 : mi 5.03 - alt. 9,344 ft - Col de la Bailletaz
6 : mi 5.6 - alt. 8,793 ft - Couart stream
7 : mi 6.03 - alt. 8,274 ft - Le Couart below
8 : mi 7.04 - alt. 6,801 ft - Les Planets
9 : mi 7.58 - alt. 6,480 ft - Le Fornet
10 : mi 8.76 - alt. 6,411 ft - Les Barmettes
11 : mi 9.38 - alt. 6,168 ft - Le Crêt
12 : mi 9.72 - alt. 5,988 ft - La Rua
13 : mi 9.8 - alt. 6,053 ft - Junction
S/E : mi 10.53 - alt. 5,899 ft - Plaine de la Daille

Notes

Snow may still be present at the Passage de Picheru (3) and the Col de la Bailletaz (5) in early summer.
Option to extend the route to climb to the summit of Pointe de Picheru and/or Pointe de la Bailletaz (off-trail!).
(9) You can shorten the hike at Le Fornet by taking a shuttle back to La Daille (check timetables with Val-d'Isère town hall).

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Bouquetin des Alpes - hiver - more information

Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

danielfr40

20 Sep 2025 at 15:06 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I added the climb to the summit of Picheru to the circular
Magnificent view.
Just before the sign for the Picheru pass, there is a path that branches off to the left
You have to go around the peak on the right, to the east of the peak.
You can then climb up a grassy slope to the peak.
This adds an hour round trip and 100 metres of elevation gain

Machine-translated

Ruben b

07 Jul 2025 at 14:59 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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 : No

A really enjoyable hike with magnificent scenery throughout.
The climb up to the Picheru pass is quite steep, but the views are well worth the effort. The descent to Lac de la Sassière offers magnificent views of the Aiguille de la Grande Sassière and the Tsanteleina.
The climb back up to the Col de la Baillettaz is gentler, but the descent to Val d'Isère is very long and in the blazing sun in the afternoon.
I highly recommend this route!

Machine-translated

Maxwell01500

07 Jul 2025 at 08:54 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

First difficult hike with my 20-year-old daughter, walking sticks required, the spot is superb, the first climb is steep and mentally challenging, but once at the top, what a view! We came across about twenty people in total. A very beautiful challenge, the return trip is long, so bring something to cover up at high altitude, and don't forget your sunscreen.

Machine-translated