Pointe d’Andey via La Revenne and La Dometta

Access via the D12 leading from Bonneville to Le Grand Bornand. The route starts at the end of the Route de Domptaz, at a place called Chez Bernard. Parking here is limited to two vehicles, just past the last building on the left. If no spaces are available, you can park further up, either at the side of the forest track, where there are a few spaces (please note that the track is rather stony), or at its end at (15), where there are plenty of options. A little further down the track, parking is not very straightforward.

(S/E) Take the forest road uphill until you reach a junction at a hairpin bend.

(1) At the junction (signpost), turn sharply right towards Solaison. After a short climb, the route continues at roughly the same altitude, heading south, for a considerable distance (around 1.7 km). After a left-hand bend, look out for a forest track branching off to the left at the next bend.

(2) Take this forest track, which is quite steep. Shortly afterwards, cross a path and continue the climb south-eastwards. Take a sharp left-hand bend and head north-east up the slope until you reach a junction.

(3) Carry on straight ahead, due north, for a short while, along a path with no significant gradient (which was quite overgrown with grass when I was there). As you approach the cliffs straight ahead, whilst the path is ascending, look out for a footpath (marked with a Blue Arrow) right at the far right.

(4) Take this path; the start of the section is relatively straightforward, but the first difficulties arise quite quickly, so great caution is required. Follow a narrow track along the edge of ravines and up steep slopes, where you’ll need to use your hands at times. Two sections, equipped with a rope, help you make your way up, then the ascent continues to the right of a long gully to reach a grassy ridge. See the ‘Practical Information’ section for further details.

(5) Continue to the right, following the ridge, and, after a few metres, pass a signpost pointing towards Solaison (on the left, on a tree). Carry on straight ahead along a path through a wooded area, where the going is much easier than before. After joining another path on the left, walk alongside a pasture before reaching it shortly afterwards. From there, climb straight ahead (the slope is not too steep), veering slightly to the right, then enter a short wooded section. You’ll reach a large open area which is a pasture. Continue straight ahead towards a watering trough, then to a second one just after it, marked as a spring on the IGN map.

(6) Carry on straight ahead, following a moderately visible path, keeping slightly to the right of the grassy area. Further up, join a track; follow it straight ahead along a fairly obvious route. Shortly afterwards, continue along a path leading to the Col de Solaison.

(7) At the pass, head right towards the Solaison car park, about a 5-minute walk away.

(8) Walk up the car park on the left, then, at the roundabout, turn left towards the Pointe d’Andey. Pass a path on your right, then, as you come out of the wide right-hand bend, keep right. Keep left onto the path that curves widely to the left to reach a junction marked by a signpost (towards Pointe d’Andey).

(9) Turn right; the slope is quite steep in places, but presents no technical difficulty. After just over 1 km, you’ll reach a secondary summit of the Pointe d’Andey, marked by a cross and a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Rochers de Leschaux, Lake Geneva, the Bargy Range and the Arve Valley all the way to Mont Blanc. Caution: the cliffs are not far away.

(10) Continue towards the nearby summit. Follow the well-marked path below and, after a few minutes, you’ll reach the Col d’Andey.

(11) Take the path on the right; the descent becomes quite steep fairly quickly. Follow it north-west for over 1 km; whilst there are no major technical difficulties, you should remain reasonably vigilant. You’ll reach an unnamed pass.

(12) From the pass, the route is fairly easy. Ignore a junction on the right (towards Bonneville); the ridge walk, which is gentle at first, then becomes quite steep as it leads to a more open area.

(13) Pass a chalet and carry on straight ahead until you reach the edge of a lovely viewpoint (La Torche), then turn left. A little further on, after a few hundred metres, you’ll come across a large chalet and some facilities.

(14) Carry on along the path, via a few hairpin bends and some fairly steep slopes in places. After about 2 km, you’ll reach, much lower down, a relatively large open area at the end of a forest track (a potential place to park).

(15) Carry on straight ahead until you reach a junction you passed at the start of the walk.

(1) Carry on straight ahead along the forest track, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, and return to the starting point (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here. (car park behind the building on the left).

Alternatively, starting from point (6), I suggest an alternative route with a lovely walk along the cliff edge: click here.

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.
It is recommended that you follow the route in the direction indicated, mainly to make the La Revenne section less challenging (given the slopes and the direction of the path).
Please take your rubbish away with you; nature will thank you for it.

Below is a difficulty rating by section (the route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly straightforward walking with no significant elevation gain or difficulty.
- Blue: steeper slopes and/or greater elevation changes, 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, which may require some climbing, in an environment presenting certain hazards.
- Black: routes on a fairly difficult trail and/or involving imminent dangers.
- White: routes through technical, very difficult terrain, requiring specific equipment.

From (S/E) to (2): Green difficulty
A fairly easy forest track is followed.
No signposting present. Signposts at the junction at (1).

From (2) to (3): Blue difficulty
The route follows a forest track, where the only difficulty is the fairly steep gradient.
No signposting.

From (3) to (4): Blue difficulty
The route follows a path with a series of small ascents and descents, presenting no major difficulties (at most, the vegetation was a little overgrown when I was there).
No signposting present.

From (4) to (5): Black difficulty.
If you miss the start of the path, there is a^{second one} not far away, about thirty metres on.
The start of this section is relatively easy at first, but it begins to get more challenging when you have to veer sharply to the right up a steep slope; from this point onwards, great care is required. Not far on, a fixed rope makes the climb easier before you reach a small, level section.
Please note that there are no further markings to guide you, and you should continue straight ahead without attempting to climb. Shortly afterwards, the route becomes clearer, leading you to continue the ascent up a steep slope; partway up, a^second rope anchor aids your progress.

You reach the Revenne couloir via a challenging ascent. The couloir is quite stony, so you should keep to the right, close to a cliff face, to avoid this difficulty. The slope remains steep or very steep; further up, you begin to make out the ridge line. Head left, whilst making your way up a slope exposed to a ravine below. Then, not far on, turn right towards the ridge, which is very close by (aim for a large boulder which you will skirt to the left of for a few metres).
Situated below cliffs, the entire area is exposed to rockfalls.
Blue markings are visible up to the^first section equipped with a rope.

From (5) to (6): Blue difficulty
This section presents no technical difficulty, but the route is moderately obvious. Shortly after a signpost pointing towards Solaison, take a relatively easy path; then, after reaching a pasture which you have previously walked alongside, the path suddenly disappears. From this point, climb straight up, heading slightly to the right (be careful: a visible path a little further on to the left may be tempting, but it is not the right choice). After passing through a short wooded section, head towards the large pasture a little further up, then make your way towards two drinking troughs, a few metres apart (marked ‘Source’ by IGN).
Signposting is sparse (a few old blue metal signs serve as landmarks).

From (6) to (7): Blue difficulty
The route follows a pasture and navigation is moderately difficult at^first . Once you’ve joined another path, the rest of the route poses no problems (it’s possible to take a shortcut before the path bends). Alternatively, you can follow another, less obvious route along the edge of a wooded area (as shown on the IGN map).
No signposting. A few signposts towards the end of the section.

From (7) to (9): Green difficulty
This section is very easy to walk.
No signposting, but there are information boards.

From (9) to (10): Orange difficulty
The path climbs straight up the slope over sustained, even steep, gradients, but the terrain presents no technical difficulty. At most, the approach to the secondary summit of the Pointe d’Andey is slightly more rugged. Take care of the cliffs you’ll be overlooking near the summit.
No signposting.

From (10) to (11): Blue difficulty
Without any major difficulties, follow a steeply sloping path downwards.
Yellow markings + a few signposts.

From (11) to (12): Orange difficulty
The route follows a path with no technical difficulties, but which is of moderate width and on fairly steep slopes, so a degree of caution is required.
Yellow markings.

From (12) to (13): Blue difficulty
Whilst much of this section is easy, the stretch leading to the Chalet de l’Hirson is more challenging, as it is on a steep slope.
Yellow markings up to the junction, then blue metal signs.

From (13) to (15): Blue difficulty
Near La Torche, the path reaches a grassy section where it can be a bit tricky to find your way, so you should turn left (perhaps after a short detour to the viewpoint). The route is then not very difficult until you reach the second chalet (another beautiful viewpoint). The route then continues for a short while over slopes of varying steepness, winding its way through a few hairpin bends.
Mixed signposting: blue metal signs

From (15) to (S/E): Green difficulty
You then follow an easy forest track back to the starting point.
No signposting.