Pic de Marcelly

Pic de Marcelly offers magnificent views over the Giffre valley. The last few metres are relatively strenuous, but the view from the summit will quickly make you forget your fatigue. If you climb early in the morning, it is not uncommon to see numerous chamois.
Some people have found the descent difficult, see reviews

Technical sheet

1928
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 535 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 533 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,990 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,478 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Taninges, take the D902 towards Les Gets.
At Fry, turn left onto the D328 which leads to the resort of Praz de Lys. Once at the resort, head towards Petit Planey - Grand Planey. The car park is located just before the Planey ski lift.

(S/E) The trail starts on the Planey ski slope, heads south-southeast and climbs to the La Banc viewpoint overlooking Taninges.

(1) Once at the viewpoint, retrace your steps and turn left onto the trail that heads north-west and alternates between undergrowth and ridges, but is not vertiginous, to reach Pointe de Mancelly. A magnificent panorama awaits you. You can find your bearings using the orientation table on site.

(2) For the descent, you must pass the end of the summit platform via the Pas de l'Âne, which is a tricky and vertiginous passage. The rest of the descent is first along the north-west ridge. Then you leave this ridge path, which leads to Pointe de la Couennasse, and take the one on the right.

(3) Descend into the valley and, at the altitude of 1643m on the IGN map, you will come to a crossroads.

(4) Turn right and continue along a flat section until you reach another intersection.

(5) Turn right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,487 m - Le Planey ski lift
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 1,594 m - La Banc viewpoint
  3. 2 : km 2.51 - alt. 1,985 m - Pointe de Marcelly
  4. 3 : km 2.9 - alt. 1,921 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 4.14 - alt. 1,643 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 4.83 - alt. 1,533 m - Crossroads
  7. S/E : km 5.75 - alt. 1,489 m - Le Planey ski lift

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 3934350

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very good hiking idea
Thank you

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smashdc
smashdc
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Vertigo hike at Pas de l'Ane 💥
I'm going for a quiet day after covering nearly 150 km...
Not so quiet in the end! Given the distance/elevation ratio, we're going to have some pretty steep climbs!
Apart from the 3-step-wide path along the ridges, it's going to be quite a climb!
The ridge path can be intimidating because the ravine is steep and the path is barely wide enough.
It's impossible to catch yourself if you fall, but there's not really any risk if you put one foot in front of the other.
I found the combination quite challenging :-o My knee was a bit sore too
That's what puts me off climbing the Pas de l'Ane, and I'm a bit on my own, knowing that the two people in front of me weren't used to crossing the big hole first.
I didn't climb the Pas because of my pain and my knee, which could have locked up.
And it's impressive too! What a climb!
I descend and then go around Sous le Pic to get to La Croix.
Beautiful slopes at over 25%. It's quite a workout...
Superb panorama, but you have to be lucky to have the right conditions at the summit (or come back regularly), otherwise there's too much fog or too much sun or not enough, etc.
I head towards the Pass to at least see the descent from above :-)
And... it's much less scary and my knee hurts less. In the end, I descend either standing up or crouching (because I'm tall) and I descend more on the right, where there is a small dirt path.
It's not slippery (unless the ground is wet).
It's very safe (if you hold on tight to the cable). There are two cables, and three in fact, when you pass through the crevasse, which is undoubtedly impressive. You'll have to pull hard on your arms to get out of the hole
A large bag or walking sticks can get in the way. Otherwise, you have to be used to it!
I've done several Pas de l'Ane descents, but this one is really impressive when you're at the bottom.
As a result, I found the descent easy and not really risky from above, given the cables.
As a result, the climb, seen from below, no longer scared me. It will also remain a personal experience of having to push yourself if you're not used to it. If you're afraid of heights, take the Sous le Pic route to climb up to the Croix.
It's best to go with someone to encourage you and who is used to tricky passages.
Magnificent panoramic views all along the way!
A must-see in the region for this panorama

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Aurélie-Z
Aurélie-Z

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A short hike in autumn (16 October) for a "beginner" walker, but one who is in reasonably good shape.
I was with my dog, and we couldn't get past the donkey pass (I tried to carry her but she was scared), so I turned back and took the small alternative path. Without my dog... and being a bit dizzy at times, I don't know if I could have made it anyway
I would have liked to continue walking a little further along the ridge towards the Pointe de la Couennasse, but I stayed on the marked path.
A beautiful view, a pleasant hike, I met a couple and a walker in all, and completed the circular in 2½ hours with the slight hiccup of the donkey's step.

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lilas74
lilas74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful walk. Magnificent panoramic views. Very busy summit at this time of year. (Too) many walkers at lunchtime, the orientation table has become a picnic table.
Be careful on the Pas de l'Ane. I would not recommend it if you have children with you. It's not easy going up, so I can't imagine how difficult it must be going down. It is possible to go around below the peak.

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Couz
Couz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant route.
Be careful at the donkey's step, which should not be underestimated.

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Chercheurdespots
Chercheurdespots
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A magnificent hike with superb views. A bit of a climb for those who are not used to it, but nothing insurmountable.
Caution ⚠️!!! The descent via the Pas de l'Âne is quite dangerous, especially going downhill. Do not attempt it if you are afraid of heights. Sure-footedness and good footwear are essential. Honestly, if you take this route, the hike should be classified as red and "difficult". Do not hesitate to turn back and do a round trip if you don't feel comfortable.

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bibilavoudonc
bibilavoudonc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We started the return journey via the Pas de l'Âne. But it was too difficult for me, so we turned back after a dizzying 10-metre descent. This descent is not recommended.
The descent on the other side, Les Frêtes, is very pleasant.
there were lots of people at the cross... it was Sunday...
all in all, a lovely walk

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bubuk
bubuk

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

It is curious that the difficult descent is not signposted. Yet there is a definite danger

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didbense
didbense

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We avoided the donkey step. A bit tricky on the way down...

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clementinefavre
clementinefavre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

It is necessary to point out that access to the summit is somewhat difficult for those who are not familiar with this type of hike...
Overhanging rocks...! As well as the donkey pass... quite exposed...!

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PAT007
PAT007

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I didn't follow the route indicated completely. For the ascent, we turned off at a sign indicating the summit via Gron. This led us to join the ridge trail below the Pointe de la Couenasse.

On the way back, we didn't have the energy to tackle the Pas de l'Âne and chose to go around it. (The descent over the rocks is also tiring. The return via the Penaille ridges is magnificent, and we took a detour to eat our sandwiches by the Lac de Roy. The round trip took us 4 hours and 50 minutes, and we were lucky enough to see a pair of bearded vultures flying overhead several times, which kept our eyes busy.

There are many possible variations for this climb, and you should always allow a little time to enjoy the view and try to name the different peaks you can see in good weather. The orientation table is a great help.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for your comment

Reliability of description: Average
Reliability of the map route: Average

Did you encounter any problems with the description or route? If so, how can we remedy this?
Can you make any suggestions?

See you soon

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petitlapin70
petitlapin70

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

a very beautiful hike in good weather, but quite difficult for people of average fitness.

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mraph
mraph

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike that can be combined with the one passing near the lake, taking around 6 hours. Very beautiful scenery.

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Tender
Tender

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great route, you can see Mont Blanc throughout the first part. However, the Pas de l'Âne is not recommended for the descent. There is a path to avoid it: descend the peak via the last slope and turn left at the signposted junction.
Thank you for this superb walk.

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