Petit Som departure from La Correrie

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Day hike with picnic at the Col de Léchaud. Climb through magnificent forest to Habert de Bovinant, Col de Bovinant, Col de Léchaud, Petit Som, return via Pas du Loup, Col de La Ruchère, Habert de Billon and the Grande Chartreuse monastery.
Splendid 360° view from the top of Petit Som, including Mont Blanc.

Details

n°6170
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,609 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,635 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,758 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,792 ft
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Photos

Magnificent! Mont Blanc from the Petit Som
Col de Léchaud and Petit Som
Mont Blanc from the Petit Som
Petit Som

Description of the walk

Leave the D520b at Pont de Pierre, join Pont des Allemands and continue to the large car park at La Correrie.

(S/E) Take theGRP® Tour de Chartreuse above the hikers' car park marked in red and yellow. Head to the crossroads of the path leading to Notre-Dame de Casalibus.

(1) Turn right, still on theGRP®. First reach the Pas du Loup, then the Habert de Bovinant.

(2) Follow the signs for Col de Bovinant.

(3) Continue until you reach Col de Léchaud.

(4) Continue along a small path up to Petit Som.

(5) Return to Col de Léchaud via the same route.

(4) Take the path on the right and after a few hairpin bends you will reach Col de la Ruchère, a large crossroads of paths.

(6) Take the path opposite leading to the Folie meadow and Habert du Billon. Reach this habert.

(7) Descend onto the wide mountain pasture track and quickly turn left onto Chemin du Pavé. Begin a steep descent to rejoin the mountain pasture track.

(8) Turn right and cross the Saint-Bruno torrent to reach the crossroads leading to the monastery.

(9) Take the wide tarmac lane on the right which leads to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,818 ft - La Correrie car park
  2. 1 : mi 2.47 - alt. 4,514 ft - Casalibus crossroads
  3. 2 : mi 3.61 - alt. 5,341 ft - Habert de Bovinant
  4. 3 : mi 3.81 - alt. 5,390 ft - Col de Bovinant (1646m)
  5. 4 : mi 4.2 - alt. 5,577 ft - Col de Léchaud
  6. 5 : mi 4.38 - alt. 5,758 ft - Petit Som (1772m)
  7. 6 : mi 5.62 - alt. 4,652 ft - Col de la Ruchère
  8. 7 : mi 6.74 - alt. 4,209 ft - Habert du Billon
  9. 8 : mi 7.44 - alt. 3,606 ft - Track junction
  10. 9 : mi 8.2 - alt. 2,999 ft - Couvent de la Grande Chartreuse
  11. S/E : mi 9.08 - alt. 2,818 ft - La Correrie car park

Notes

It can get very hot up there, so make sure you take plenty of water with you.
Water refill available below Col de Léchaud, towards Pas du Loup.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
chazallet
chazallet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike, which I recommend doing in reverse (passing by the monastery first).
Depart from the car park at 9 a.m. and arrive at the summit of Petit Som at 12 noon at a moderate pace. Then return via the Col de Bonivant, then Habert de Bonivant (water source), a beautiful descent with a magnificent view of the monastery valley! A hike to do in spring, with lots of gentians and orchids.

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Muyor
Muyor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful walk in the forest. Wet terrain, so wear sturdy shoes.
A walk for those who enjoy peace and quiet.

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As1307VoiR
As1307VoiR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk in glorious sunshine, much of it through very refreshing woodland.

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lepenne
lepenne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start of the hike is a bit monotonous and involves a rather long slope...
The rest is a real treat, with lovely views of Lake Bourget from the top of Petit Som, the surprising Habert du Billon and a grand finale with the Chartreuse monastery (don't miss a visit to the Correrie museum).

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jbernard11
jbernard11

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful walk with varied landscapes and terrain, at a moderate but steady pace, with a picnic break in the sun at Le Petit Som, sheltered from the wind. It took us 5½ hours. Some junctions and signposts could be more precise in the description. Highly recommended!

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Magali67
Magali67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike on a very sunny day. Elevation gain of 1,020 metres instead of the advertised 1,290 metres. View overlooking the monastery. Clear view from Habert de Bonivant. Lots of hikers at the summit of Petit Som. End of the route between the monastery and La Correrie banale. Magnificent view of Mont Blanc. Saw neither ibex nor marmots. Route completed in 7 hours including breaks.

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ebosquet
ebosquet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, lovely hike on Saturday, 10/10/2015. Despite the fog at the start, the climb through the woods was pleasant but slippery with leaves. After passing above the fog, the weather was beautiful, the colours of the foliage were superb, and the view from the top of Petit Som was also superb. The descent was nice but more mundane, especially at the end. A hike to do in the beautiful Chartreuse mountains.

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patrol69
patrol69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pleasant, shaded, gradual elevation gain, fairly easy before the climb to the Col de Bovinant (200m elevation gain over 900m of distance!!)
The descent from Petit Som to Col de la Ruchère is likely to be difficult in rainy weather or after rain due to slippery earth and rocks and a small chimney (no wolf).
End of the route from the Col de la Ruchère is monotonous and tarmac from the monastery.
Overall, very enjoyable due to its diversity and pleasant scenery (including Mont Blanc).

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