Pointe d'Ireuse via the chalets of Nifflon

The summit is rarely visited, despite offering a splendid 360° panorama of Lake Geneva, the Chablais peaks, the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc massif. The route includes forest trails at the bottom and alpine pastures at the top.

Details

2282966
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.99 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,909 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,903 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,194 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,344 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the large Sciard mountain chalet, which is located just outside a hairpin bend to the left (when ascending) on the narrow, steep Buchille forest road. This road begins in the hamlet of Les Bossons, just before the village of Bellevaux when approaching from Thonon-les-Bains via the D26. Park at the side of the road or at the edge of the track that starts here, taking care not to obstruct traffic.

Signposts are located at the main junctions (though not all of them) as well as at the summit of Pointe d’Ireuse.

No signposting

(S/E) A sign points to Pointe d’Ireuse if you continue along the forest road, but this is not the route suggested here. Head east and take the stony track closed to traffic towards Le Viret. You’ll soon enter the forest and climb steadily.

(1) At a clearing (signpost surrounded by tall grass), continue straight ahead on the track (ignore the path climbing to the left; this will be the return route). Descend for approximately 400m in a straight line.

Yellow markings (arrows and broad dashes)

(2) At the boundary between forest plots nos. 8 and 9 (a wooden sign high up with nothing written on it), take the path opposite which starts at the foot of the tree marked no. 8 (let the track veer to the right).

(3) Shortly afterwards, turn left (clearly visible arrow on a tree). Climb steeply through the spruce trees. Then veer right (south-west) and follow a long, gently ascending traverse. The slope finally steepens and the path becomes rocky (section with a handrail). Follow a few hairpin bends, take a mountain pasture turnstile and reach the site of Nifflon d’en bas (chalets high up on the right).

(4) Then turn sharply left towards Nifflon d’en haut. Climb again through the forest. Pass through an alpine gate (close it behind you). Cross a small clearing and continue the climb through the forest.

(5) At a junction (not shown on the IGN map), pass a small shelter on your right and veer slightly left onto a grassy path (marker on the ground). Continue climbing gently, then, via a few switchbacks, reach the site of Nifflon d’en haut (chalets and a small chapel below on the right).

(6) Then turn left towards the Pointe d’Ireuse, whose summit is visible to the north-northeast. Descend slightly, then climb again along a well-marked path where the rock outcrops. Cross a grassy area then turn right to follow the edge of a small valley. Then veer left and climb an unnamed small pass between two hillocks. From there, quickly reach the clearly visible summit opposite (cairn).

(7) Descend on the other side towards the Chalets de la Buchille. The slope is initially gentle but quickly becomes steep along the crest of a rounded ridge. After a short shaded section, continue descending, zigzagging between small rocks. You will reach a pass unnamed on the map, known locally as Golet de la Chaux.

No markings

(8) Turn left and descend a small valley along a faint path overgrown with grass. Enter the forest where the path is better marked but the slope steeper. Follow a few hairpin bends and watch out for the sheer drops on the right (view of the Chalets de La Buchille). Reach a junction at a place called Crève-Coeur.

(9) Then head left towards Le Sciard along a poorly marked path (not shown on the IGN map). After a few gentle bends, make a long descending traverse to the south-west, initially on a slight incline along a narrow path bordered by grass, then on a steeper slope along a wider track. Take a hairpin bend to the right along this track and arrive at a junction you passed on the way up.

(1) Then follow the stony track to the right and descend easily to Le Sciard (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,344 ft - Le Sciard
  2. 1 : mi 0.48 - alt. 4,665 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.74 - alt. 4,600 ft - Start of the trail
  4. 3 : mi 0.85 - alt. 4,688 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.52 - alt. 5,272 ft - Chalets de Nifflon d'en bas
  6. 5 : mi 2.06 - alt. 5,515 ft - Shelter
  7. 6 : mi 2.46 - alt. 5,794 ft - Chalets de Nifflon d'en Haut
  8. 7 : mi 3.1 - alt. 6,194 ft - Pointe d’Ireuse – Viewpoint over the - Lac Léman
  9. 8 : mi 3.37 - alt. 5,817 ft - Golet de la Chaux
  10. 9 : mi 3.76 - alt. 5,157 ft - Crêve-coeur
  11. S/E : mi 4.99 - alt. 4,344 ft - Le Sciard

Notes

Hiking boots essential. Bring your own water supplies. Small shelter at (5).

Warnings:
- Between Nifflon d'en bas (4) and the Golet de la Chaux (8), the mountain pastures are used by sheep with their guard dogs. You must keep your dog on a lead and, if you encounter the guard dogs, remain calm: read the recommendations on the sign after the turnstile leading to Nifflon d'en bas (4).
- Two junctions require caution, at points (2) and (3). The descent between (8) and (9) requires care.
- At point (9), some guidebooks suggest descending to the right towards the Chalets de La Buchille and then following the forest road down for 1.5 km. I do not recommend this option, given the steepness of the descent towards the chalets and the poor condition of the tarmac, whereas the descent towards point (1) is very pleasant despite the path being poorly marked at the start.

A detailed map is required (at the very least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed by the author on 16 July 2019.

Worth a visit

360° panorama from the summit of Pointe d’Ireuse:
- To the north: Lake Geneva and Mont Billiat.
- To the east, the peaks of the Chablais: Mémises, Pic de Borée, Dent and Roc du Château d'Oche, Cornettes de Bise, Mont Chuaffé and Mont de Grange.
- To the east, the Vaud Alps: the Diablerets massif.
- To the south-east: the Dents du Midi, Tour Salière and Mont Ruan.
- To the south, the Mont Blanc massif: Aiguilles Vertes, Drus, Grandes Jorasses, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc.

- Panoramic view of the peaks above from Nifflon d'en haut (6).
- Charming alpine chalets at Niffon d'en bas (4) and Nifflon d'en haut (6).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Dani74
Dani74
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with varied scenery and stunning views. No particular difficulties (I recommend walking sticks for the descent for added stability). Hike done with the app, so easy to follow.

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anne ubrig
anne ubrig

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very beautiful hike, not always easy to follow, but that may be part of its charm. At the beginning of spring, there was still plenty of snow on the hills.

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olivier.br
olivier.br

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, moderate difficulty. No problems doing it in the direction indicated at the end of summer.

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Deicher
Deicher

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Following the comments (slippery on the way down), I did the circuit in the opposite direction.
But no worries, just a few patches of snow at the very top.
A peaceful hike with a beautiful view at the top!

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Virginie59
Virginie59

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Of moderate difficulty, I think it is necessary to point out that some passages are complicated for people prone to vertigo.

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raul001z
raul001z

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike, not very busy at this time of year (May) (and without mud), but definitely worth doing in the opposite direction to the one indicated due to the descent becoming extremely slippery with the snow melting.

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Kalligraphia
Kalligraphia
• Edited:

A magnificent hike that I finally did in the opposite direction to the one indicated. In April, there was snow at the summit, but it was still possible to get through! Incredible views and diverse landscapes, I absolutely loved it!

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FIF74
FIF74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in overcast weather (which explains the 4* rating instead of 5) with sunny spells followed by fog rising from the lake at the start of the descent from Pointe d'Ireuse. Snow on the trail from 1,450 metres above sea level due to north, then west, then north exposure; crampons very useful. Beautiful views throughout the hike; only one other person encountered. Very good description of the route, easy to follow thanks to GPS location and footprints in the snow; no real difficulty, fairly steep descent. Highly recommended hike.

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memey
memey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful loop, quite wild, with a lovely view from the top.
The route is easy. A lovely walk to do with children
Thanks for the description.

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Sarudalf
Sarudalf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful loop, no problems with the route using the phone. A quiet, fairly wild spot with a beautiful view from the top.
The route is easy. At most, the drive to the starting point is a bit tedious.
Thanks for the description.

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Mauro38
Mauro38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route via the Buchille chalets is quite technical (metal cable to get through the rocky gorges) for average hikers, so it is better to take the route that starts from Sciard and then climbs up Les Virets to reach Pointe d'Ireuse.
This magnificent hike offers 360-degree views of Lake Geneva, the Chablais mountains and, the icing on the cake, Mont Blanc!
Make sure you take plenty of water with you.

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isabelle voituret
isabelle voituret

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is very well marked, and the description is really accurate (thanks to Netra). There's no risk of getting lost. The climb is easy in the woods, which is pleasant in hot weather, and the path is wide and fairly easy to follow. Between points 7 and 8, the descent is a bit difficult because it is very steep on a challenging trail. Bring walking sticks and plenty of water, including for your dog if you don't have any, as there are no springs or streams. There are sheep and Patou dogs, so be careful if you have a dog

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Caroline Vo
Caroline Vo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with some beautiful views!
Be careful on the descent, though, as it is quite steep and was still quite snowy when we were there

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marie-france.goaziou
marie-france.goaziou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On the advice of the manager of our lodge, we set off in a group of 16 from the Buchille chalets and reached Creve Coeur by climbing up the chimney
which was a bit steep, but luckily it was uphill and we were in the fog
The atmosphere was misty all day and at Niflon below we met a shepherdess with whom we had a chat, which was great
Even with the fog coming and going throughout the day, we enjoyed this route and the hamlets of Les Niflons
We'll have to do it again in good weather to enjoy the view from the Pointe d'Ireuse

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Kélig07
Kélig07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in bright sunshine.
Hike with varied landscapes. Very beautiful landscapes of the Chablais region.
Impossible to get lost, the description is very clear.
In rainy or foggy weather, I think the section descending from Pointe d'Ireuse to Crève Coeur (7 to 9) must be quite tricky.
As for parking at the start of the Sciard, you need to leave your car on the left at the beginning of the gravel track. Otherwise, you risk having your wing mirror ripped off by cows returning to the barn.

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