Pointe d'Orsière circular loop from Gutary

de fr

This hike provides access to a panoramic summit without too much difficulty. The trail winds its way through forest and pastures that are full of flowers in spring. At the summit, there is a 360° view of La Tournette, Sulens, Bargy, Aravis (l'Étale), etc. A beautiful, well-marked hike, suitable for families, even if the start is a little steep.

Details

n°23197632
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.45 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,717 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,740 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,735 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,087 ft
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Photos

From the Pointe d'Orsière
Le Charvin is on the right in the background.
Rhododendron forest near the summit.

Description of the walk

The starting point is located south-east of Thônes. In Manigod, take the Route de l'Aiguille towards Sous l'Aiguille. Leave your car in a small car park on the left, just before the hamlet of La Gutary.

(S/E) From the car park, continue along the road for a hundred metres to reach the path on the left that descends to the Torrent du Fier, which you cross via a bridge.

(1) After crossing, take the wide path on the left on the left bank of the Fier. You will soon reach the start of the trail, marked by a signpost, which climbs quite steeply on the right towards La Balme.

(2) At La Balme, you will have just left the forest and will follow a wide path for about 200 metres before taking the path on the left at an elevation of 1226 metres for about 50 metres.

(3) Take the path on the right (due south). You will come to a post where the path appears to continue, but it actually turns sharply to the right towards the ridge. A little further on, leave the path that descends to the right towards Crozet and continue until you reach the edge of the forest and a hairpin bend on a wide track.

(4) Turn left and pass by a renovated chalet located at elevation 1498 on the IGN map. This track leads to the Chalet du Macheux.

(5) From there, climb the path that leads to the summit of Pointe d'Orsière, winding through a beautiful mountain pasture.

(6) From the summit, descend via the same route.

(4) Turn left and continue west along the track that leads to Arbarête, at an altitude of 1,396 metres.

(7) Continue along this track until you reach the junction at an altitude of 1,276 metres, near Les Cernets.

(8) Take the left-hand track to the next junction.

(9) From there, descend to the right along a forest path that passes La Tête and continues to La Louvatière.

(10) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the path on the left, and you will come to a wide track at La Vignière, which you follow straight ahead.

(1) Cross the bridge again and you will reach the car park on the right at the crossroads (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,182 ft - La Gutary
  2. 1 : mi 0.19 - alt. 3,100 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop. Bridge over the - Fier (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 0.74 - alt. 3,957 ft - La Balme
  4. 3 : mi 0.89 - alt. 4,032 ft - Beffort
  5. 4 : mi 1.47 - alt. 4,908 ft - Fork at the edge of the forest
  6. 5 : mi 1.94 - alt. 5,253 ft - Le Macheux
  7. 6 : mi 2.32 - alt. 5,735 ft - Pointe d'Orsière
  8. 7 : mi 3.86 - alt. 4,603 ft - L'Arbarête
  9. 8 : mi 4.73 - alt. 4,193 ft - Croisement des Cernets
  10. 9 : mi 4.94 - alt. 4,078 ft - Crossroads
  11. 10 : mi 5.64 - alt. 3,350 ft - La Louvatière
  12. S/E : mi 6.45 - alt. 3,179 ft - La Gutary

Notes

Water can be found near the various chalets you pass.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Blin
Blin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, easy despite a steep slope right from the start. A forest trail and a pleasant finish on this first snow day, especially at the summit, which offers a beautiful 360° view.
Snack in the sun next to a chalet. In short, a great pleasure and thanks to the trailblazer.

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Stef74
Stef74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

No time to warm up! You're in the thick of it right from the start!
There's a steep climb for the first 2 kilometres, but it's in the forest, so it's quite pleasant in hot weather!
But you quickly forget the effort with the beautiful scenery all the way to the summit.
A very nice view, as we're more used to seeing this mountain range from Manigod.
Thanks for the route!

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Gérard HENNEQUIN
Gérard HENNEQUIN

Route towards Pointe d'Orsière
starting from the Gutary bridge (Manigod)
Quite a steep climb through the woods at the start, but pure pleasure once you leave the forest behind at the Macheux chalet.

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk that is quite steep at the beginning. The 360° view at the summit is well worth the 800-metre climb.

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Bidou61
Bidou61

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Firstly, thank you to the author for this enjoyable hike. There were a few difficulties with the signposting in the second part of the climb through the forest (missing cross and torn-down directional sign). Otherwise, there were no difficulties and the trail was fairly good. We went as far as La Riondaz following the GRP. Although it was the end of July, the high-altitude meadows were still full of flowers. The descent trail is quite pleasant, shaded in places and not too stony.

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cocogros@orange.fr
cocogros@orange.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done on Whit Monday. Magnificent 360° view at Pointe d'Orcière. The climb is steep in the forest and quite slippery. There is a spot in the forest that is not very well marked. You have to go right rather than left, as the path is dangerous.

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Roth C.
Roth C.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but you need to pay attention to the markings on the climb through the forest. In this section, and especially in October (due to humidity and dead leaves), it is essential to be well equipped. We didn't meet anyone on the way there, but there were a few people on the way back.

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