Mont Téret plateau via the Col de la Bourse and Col du Pertuis

Updated by the author on 17/11/2025 in the practical information section (paragraph "From (9) to (10)").

Start the route in the centre of the village of La Balme-de-Thuy near the town hall (parking spaces available).

(S/E) Take the Route des Challes uphill towards the Col de la Bourse.

(1) At a bend in the road, take a path on the left and continue to a new intersection.

(2) Continue to the left and you will arrive near the Ruisseau des Challes.

(3) Turn right and continue climbing until you reach another intersection.

(4) Follow a path on the left that makes a small circular loop and leads to another intersection.

(5) Continue right on the path, ignore a path on the left and continue for a long climb up some steep slopes with the Ruisseau des Challes on your left.

(6) Turn northeast, away from the stream. The path approaches the cliffs to reach the Passage de la Bourse: this is a difficult section (but less so in this direction) and a cable runs along the entire length to help you navigate the rough terrain and steep slopes (caution: this section is potentially exposed to rockfalls).

(7) The rest of the route is relatively easy, with a few switchbacks leading to a pass.

(8) At the pass, continue straight ahead for a descent. After reaching the Combe d'Ablon, turn right almost due north onto a path that is not very visible at first (look for the yellow arrow markings). After a descent into the combe, you will reach an intersection.

(9) Continue left on the path uphill: the route is a little rough at^first on a rocky section, but then becomes easier. You will come to an overturned post.

(10) Leave the marked trail. Look for an intersection and continue straight ahead. Follow the slightly uphill trail for a short while until you reach a fairly inconspicuous intersection (not very visible in this direction).

(11) Continue straight ahead on a similar route (marked in blue or red from this point) and you will reach a large, rather pretty grassy area where the path disappears.

(12) Continue left for about a hundred metres, following an angle of approximately 45° in a south-westerly direction. Then continue on a path that is visible again until you reach an intersection.

(13) Continue left on the path. The route then descends through some slightly rugged areas, staying away from a cliff. At one point, the path disappears and this is the end point I suggest: go right towards the nearby cliff for the viewpoint.

(14) Then retrace your steps back to the previous intersection.

(13) Don't miss the intersection to the right marked by a cairn, then return to the Grands Prés area.

(12) As on the way there, part of the route is off-trail in the Grands Prés area. Return to the fork you passed on the way there.

(11) Shortly after a small passage over a sharp limestone pavement, look for the markings (two round blue markings) and turn left onto a path that is not very visible for the first few metres. The route then climbs and descends on a clear path, following the regular markings. You will arrive at an intersection.

(15) Further down, continue straight ahead at the two junctions you come to until you reach the Col du Pertuis.

(16) After the pass, continue straight ahead downhill on a fairly well-maintained rocky path. A little further on, continue along a forest path until you reach^{the second} hairpin bend.

(17) Continue almost straight ahead (south) following a downhill path. After a few metres, continue straight ahead at an intersection and descend the winding path for a long time. At most, at one point, ignore an access road on the right leading to a forest path overlooking this area. You will come out near a building.

(18) Join a forest track and follow it to the left. After a short while, continue straight ahead at an intersection.

(19) Not far away, follow a path on the left (marked by a sign). Further down, continue straight ahead at the junction with a path at elevation 889.

(20) After joining a path at a bend, follow it to the left downhill. A little further on, the path climbs uphill for a short while.

(21) After a turning area, continue straight ahead on the path downhill, cross the Tasset stream and arrive at an intersection.

(22) Turn left towards Chessenay on a path downhill (yellow markings).

(23) Further down, continue right on a path. Shortly afterwards, follow a series of different sections of path: turn left twice, then right once (note that the sign is not very visible). You will arrive at a small road.

(24) Follow it through a built-up area until you reach the D216.
(25) From the hamlet of Chessenay, there are two options:
- either continue left on the road to return directly to the starting point,
- or continue right on the route suggested in this description.
After about 300 m on the right, continue left on Chemin Sous la Ville, then immediately after, turn left onto Chemin de Tasset. After the last houses, the route follows a path to its end, then turn left at an intersection.

(26) Immediately afterwards, turn left again, following the signs, cross a stream that flows into Le Fier and continue for a short while.

(27) At two intersections close together, continue to the right, then to the left. A little further on, continue straight ahead until you reach another path that runs alongside Le Fier. Be careful when crossing a few small streams.

(28) At a place called Terrain du Rodéo Cascades, take the small road uphill via the multi-sports grounds, then continue to the right to return to the starting point (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here.

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.

Take your rubbish away with you – nature can’t break it down.

Alternatively, I suggest a different route starting from the point (13) along a path that runs more or less close to the cliff tops: Mont Téret – Cliff Trail
Please note:
- Some tricky sections require caution on rather uneven terrain,
- The route is quite rugged, and it isn’t always easy to follow despite regular signposting (you risk ending up on more difficult terrain)
This route is not recommended for those unfamiliar with challenging terrain

Below is a difficulty rating by section (the route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly straightforward, with no significant elevation changes or difficulty.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-marked route.
- Orange: routes presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route conditions (markings or visibility of the path).
- Red: a difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment presenting certain hazards.
- Black: a route on a fairly difficult trail and/or involving imminent hazards.
- White: routes through very challenging technical terrain requiring specific equipment.

From (S/E) to (1): Green difficulty
A road, followed by a track suitable for vehicles, is fairly easy to follow.
Signposts.

From (1) to (4): Blue difficulty
The route follows a path with minimal difficulty.
Signposts + yellow arrow markings.

From (4) to (5): Green difficulty
The route follows a wide path with no difficulties,
marked with yellow arrows.

From (5) to (7): Orange difficulty
A path leads us to the vicinity of the Source des Charbonniers (shown on IGN maps) over steep, adjacent slopes but without any technical difficulties. The rest of the route then follows more gentle slopes.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (7) to (8): Red difficulty
Near the cliffs, you reach the Passage de la Bourse, which is a difficult section: in a rocky environment, the route follows steep slopes with the aid of a cable running the entire length (caution: these areas are potentially exposed to rockfalls). The approach to the pass is then easier.
Signposts + Yellow Arrow markings.

From (8) to (9): Blue difficulty
The route followed on the descent presents no difficulty. Once you reach the Combe d’Ablon, I suggest taking a short detour to the left towards the wide, unnamed pass overlooking it. From there,
the path is moderately visible at the start but poses no problems in terms of finding your way.
Signposts + Yellow Arrow markings.

From (9) to (10): Blue difficulty
The route follows a rough path at the start.
Signposts + Yellow Arrow markings.

From (10) to (11): Blue difficulty
The slight difficulty lies in spotting the fork in the path located after a fallen post. Shortly after continuing straight ahead, the path is then easy to follow via a relatively even route with moderate inclines.
No signposting.

From (11) to (12): Blue difficulty
The route continues in a similar manner along a path on mainly ascending slopes.
Blue and red markings.

From (12) to (13): Blue difficulty
The challenging section is the azimuth traverse across the Grands Prés. The route then continues along a path with no significant difficulties.
Blue and red markings.

From (13) to (14): Blue difficulty
After the fork to the left, the path is relatively easy at first, but then becomes a little more uneven, requiring you to check the route from time to time to ensure you’re on the right track.
Blue markings.

From (14) to (12): Blue difficulty
Same route as described previously. The main challenges are spotting the junction on the right, then crossing off-trail through part of the Grands Prés.
Blue and red markings.

From (12) to (11): Blue difficulty
Follow the path as described previously. The only difficulty is to spot the junction located just after a short stretch across a sharp limestone pavement.
Blue and red markings.

From (11) to (15): Blue difficulty
At the start, the path is a little uninviting, but the route then becomes clearer along a regularly marked trail. The difficulties encountered are moderate.
Marked in blue and red.

From (15) to (16): Blue difficulty
The trail follows gently sloping terrain.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (16) to (17): Blue difficulty
You’ll come across a slightly rugged but fairly well-maintained section, after which the route continues along a fairly easy track suitable for vehicles.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (17) to (18): Blue difficulty
After the hairpin bend, you’ll tackle a steep downhill slope for a short section. After that, a long stretch along a path is fairly easy to follow.
No signposting.

From (18) to (19): Blue difficulty
You follow a track suitable for vehicles for a short while.
No signposting.

From (19) to (20): Blue difficulty
Follow a relatively easy path.
Yellow signposting

From (20) to (21): Green difficulty
The route is fairly easy to follow along a track suitable for vehicles, first downhill and then uphill for quite some time. No difficulties noted.
No markings

From (21) to (22): Green difficulty
The route continues down a track without any difficulty
Signposts

From (22) to (23): Blue difficulty
A path with minimal difficulty, followed by a track.
Yellow markings + signposts (old)

From (23) to (24): Blue difficulty
Various sections of trail are to be followed.
Yellow markings + signposts (old). Please note: just past the picnic table, the signpost pointing to the right is rather damaged.

From (24) to (25): Green difficulty
A short road is easily followed downhill.
No markings.

From (25) to (26): Blue difficulty
You initially follow a stretch of road (take care in the vicinity of the RD216), then a wide track
No signposting.

From (26) to (28): Green difficulty
This section is fairly easy on the whole. Take care when fording a few small streams.
Marked with yellow arrows and signposts

From (28) to (S/E): Green difficulty
You return to the starting point by following a small road.
Signposts.

• Mont Téret.

• Glières National Necropolis.

• Notre-Dame de Lourdes Cave (La Balme de Thuy).