Pointe d'Aveneyre

Access and starting point:
North of Villeneuve, on the shores of Lake Geneva, follow the narrow, steep road to Sonchaux. At a fork, leave the road to Sonchaux on the left and follow the road on the right leading to the pass. Park in the dip of the final left-hand bend on the road up to the Col de Chaude, just past the newly timbered mountain chalet “Rafevex” (space for 4 or 5 cars). If there is no space available, drive up to the Col de Chaude, which is relatively close and has a larger car park, and then walk back down the road.

White-red-white markings + signposts

(S/E) Set off from the bend in the road towards Pertuis d’Aveneyre (signpost), walk down a few steps over the scree and cross a stream. Then follow the path which climbs gently up the hillside and crosses several streams (either flowing or dry, depending on the time of year). After a descent, climb back up via steep switchbacks and reach a small pass in the forest marked “Grand Tour (1632m)”.

(1) Turn left towards Pertuis d'Aveneyre. Climb in regular switchbacks along a good path, first through the forest then up a steep grassy slope. Ascend towards limestone cliffs and, after a short stretch through a sort of gorge, reach Pertuis d'Aveneyre and cross a fence using a step-over.

No markings or signposting

(2) From Pertuis d'Aveneyre, the summit and the ridge leading to it are clearly visible to the north-east. Turn left and follow a path overlooking the Chalets des Cases on the right. Reach the edge of a cliff on the left, turn right and cross a fence. Further on, cross a second fence and, via a hillside path, head east to the clearly visible Chalet du Pré.

(3) From the chalet, there is no longer a clearly marked path, just tracks or a route to be found through the mountain pastures. Turn left and head north-north-west, maintaining this direction for a while. When you reach some small rocks overhung by young spruce trees, turn right (east-northeast). Directly below a grassy hillock, turn left and follow a track heading north-northwest. Pass between two small rocks and emerge onto a small pass (fence on the left).

(4) Turn right and move away from the fence, leaving a rocky outcrop on your left and keeping to the right to follow the ridge. Pass two secondary summits, one grassy and one rockier, and quickly reach the summit (cairn, fence).

(5) The descent follows the same route.

Hiking boots and equipment required. No water sources identified along the route: bring your own supplies.

From the Chalet du Pré (3), there is no longer a marked path: only continue the hike in good visibility conditions.

A 1:25,000 map is required (at the very least the one accompanying this description). A compass doesn’t weigh much and can prove very useful...

Hike completed by the author on 8 August 2016.

From the summit, a magnificent 360° panorama: Lake Geneva, the French Chablais, the Dents du Midi, the Tours d’Aï and de Mayen, Les Diablerets, the Fribourg Alps, and the Rochers de Naye.

On the ascent to the Pertuis d'Aveneyre, sweeping views down over Lake Geneva.