Pointe d'Ardens

Departure from the car park above Lac des Plagnes, at the end of the road from Abondance.

Signposts at major intersections.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the mountain track that heads south, continuing on from the road. Ignore the turn-off to the left towards the Chalets de Lens and continue on the track, which climbs gently.

(1) At Cubourré, cross the stream, walk past a chalet on your right and go around a wetland (an old filled-in lake) on the right. Pass a few huge boulders.

(2) At the post marking an altitude of 1,336 m, continue right on the mountain pasture track. Climb up a valley dotted with boulders. Stay on the track, which winds around a few bends (ignore a steep shortcut on the right marked in purple on the IGN map).

(3) Shortly after a hairpin bend on the left, at the "Sous Chavache" signpost, leave the track and take a sharp right onto a path towards the Chalets d'Ardens. Cross to the south-west and then climb steadily to rejoin the mountain pasture track.

(4) Follow the track to the right. After a steep climb and two final hairpin bends, you will reach the Chalets d'Ardens.

(5) Head left (north-west) towards Lac de Tavaneuse. Climb above the chalets on a well-marked path and you will soon reach a small pass (not named on the map) which leads to a small valley with a scree slope on the left coming from Pointe d'Entre Deux Pertuis.

(6) Then follow a path on the right, the start of which is not very well marked and does not appear on the IGN map (leave the main path, which continues straight ahead on a slight descent). Head for the secondary summit, due north, and slightly to the left (azimuth 340) a small pass on the south-west ridge of Pointe d'Ardens. Pass between a few boulders. Descend into a hollow on the right, then go around the boulders on the right. Gently climb up a small valley, then leave a pond on your left (in summer, the pond is just a wetland). Make a loop to the right, then climb straight up the slope to the small pass on the ridge.

(7) Follow the grassy ridge dotted with blueberry bushes to the right. Reach the secondary summit that was visible from below. Then veer left and climb the ridge (watch out for the peaks on the eastern slope) and the false flat to the summit (boundary marker).

(8) Retrace your steps along the ridge to the small pass.

(7) There are two options here:
Reach the unnamed small pass (6) via the same route as on the way up, described as a variant in the practical information section.
- As shown on the map, continue south-west along the ridge. Make a very short traverse over loose ground, then descend steeply over the same type of terrain. Then climb back up the path, which becomes overgrown with alders. Find a clear path and come out at the hairpin bend of a better marked path.

(9) Follow this well-marked path to the right and uphill to quickly reach the Col des Pirons d'Ardens, at the foot of the majestic Pointe d'entre Deux Pertuis.

(10) Retrace your steps.

(9) Turn right at the hairpin bend with the main path, descend and then turn left. Continue south-east and walk along a small valley below on the right. After a very short climb, you will reach the unnamed small pass.

(6) Continue south-east on the well-marked path to the Chalets d'Ardens.

(5) Turn right to rejoin the mountain pasture track and reach a flat area.

(4) Don't miss the path that branches off to the left (yellow arrow marker on a small rock). After a few hairpin bends, descend diagonally to the north-east until you reach the mountain pasture track.

(3) There are two options here:
- Reach the "1336 m" signpost (2) via the same route as on the way up, described as a variant in the practical information section.
- As shown on the map, cross the track and take the path opposite towards the Refuge des Tinderets. Make a gentle descent, crossing to the north-east.

(11) At the "Les Tinderets" signpost, turn left towards Les Plagnes. Ignore a vague trailhead on the right and descend. The trail soon turns north and winds down to the alpine track.

(2) Follow the track to the right and downhill. Pass the Cubourré chalet and you will soon reach a discreet intersection.

(1) There are two options here:
- Return directly to the starting car park via the same route as on the way up, described as a variant in the practical information section.
- As shown on the map, leave the mountain pasture track and take the path on the left at the foot of the signposts, heading towards Lac des Plagnes (car park) via the lake. Leave the grassy path that leads to a dead end opposite and turn left towards the top of a waterfall on the left. Follow a few switchbacks through the woods, return to the edge of the waterfall and continue along the switchbacks. At the bottom of the waterfall, take a footbridge and follow a path that descends along the hillside.

(12) You will come out onto a wider path (signposted "Tour du Lac des Plagnes") and follow it to the left to quickly reach the lake shore. Continue north along the lake on your right. Turn right onto the dyke. At the end of the dyke, continue straight ahead, go through a red and white barrier for motor vehicles and join the road. Turn right to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Hiking boots and equipment are essential.

There is a water source at Chalets d'Ardens (5), slightly above the signpost; however, you should still bring your own supplies. Shelter is available at Chalet de Cubourré (1) and Chalets d'Ardens (5).

The mountain pastures around the Chalets d'Ardens (pronounced Ardin) are used in summer. Dogs must be kept on a leash when herds are present.

A detailed map is essential (at least the one accompanying this description). A compass is useful.

Safety advice:
The route between the small pass (6) and the south-west ridge (7) follows a poorly marked path: the route requires caution and a good sense of direction. Only attempt this route in good visibility: in foggy conditions, do not attempt it!
- The ridge leading to the summit, between (7) and (8), is narrow and has steep drops on its eastern side: take care!

Variations on the return journey via the same route as the ascent:

(7) Leave the ridge and follow a trail on the left, descending steeply southwards towards the small pond and chalets, both clearly visible. Keep heading towards the chalets and, when they are no longer visible, towards Pointe de la Chavache, which overlooks them.
This alternative avoids a few short uncomfortable passages between (7) and (9): loose ground, path overgrown with alders.

(3) Follow the alpine track downhill to the left.
This alternative route is less shaded than the circular route via Les Tinderets.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the mountain pasture track towards Les Plagnes and you will soon reach the car park.
This alternative avoids the descent to the lake, which can be slippery in wet weather.

Hike completed four times by the author, the first on 30 October 2015, the last on¹ August 2022.

From (S/E) to (3), as well as at the edge of Lac des Plagnes, from (12) to (S), there are "Géoparc Chablais" information panels on geology, hydrology and vegetation.

From (3) to (5), the route is dominated by the impressive north face of Pointe de la Chavache and, from (10) to (6), by that of Pointe d'entre Deux Pertuis.

From the summit (8), there is a superb 360° panorama (from left to right for each direction):
- To the south-east: Dents du Midi, Tour Salière and Mont Ruan.
- To the south: Pointe de Chavache and, in the background, Mont Blanc.
- To the south-west-west: Pointe d'entre Deux Pertuis, Col de Tavaneuse and Roc de Tavaneuse.
- North-west-north: the village of Abondance and the Dranse d'Abondance valley.
- To the north: Dent d'Oche, Château d'Oche, Mont Chauffé and Cornettes de Bise.
- To the north-east: Mont de Grange
- To the east: the Vaud Alps.