Pointe de Bellegarde from Sixt, loop via Vogealle and Salvadon

Starting from the hamlet of Le Crot, about 2 km from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval via the D907. There is a small car park at the end of the access road.

(S/E) Walk back along the access road to the car park and cross the hamlet of Le Crot. At the bottom, turn right, then left to cross the D907 with care, and take the bridge over the Giffre (Passerelle du Saugy).

(1) On the other side, continue left along a path towards the Cirque du Fer à Cheval (follow this direction until you reach point (5)). Further on, cross a torrent via a footbridge.

(2) At the fork in the road on the other side, head slightly to the left. Walk north-east to a bridge over the Giffre at a place called Le Molliet.

(3) Continue straight on along the path (do not cross the bridge). Follow the Giffre at a slight distance on your left.

(4) At a junction near the Pont de l’Eau Rouge and the D907, turn right. Immediately ignore a turn-off on the right and keep heading east-north-east.

(5) Join the D907 and follow it to the right with caution for about 250 m.

(6) Then turn left, cross the D907 with care and cross the Giffre once more. Next, follow a path that immediately turns right and climbs up the mountainside.

(7) At a junction at a place called Giffrenant, veer slightly to the left towards the Chalet de Prazon and pass a few buildings on your right. Continue straight ahead, north-north-east, and follow the Giffre river, which lies below on your right. Reach the Giffre at a bridge spanning the river.

(8) Carry on straight ahead (do not cross the bridge). Look out for the start of a path on the left just before a turning area and the Chalet de Prazon (refreshment kiosk).

(9) Turn left onto this path towards the Refuge de la Vogealle via the Pas du Boret. Climb gently over a few sections of flat rock whilst crossing a few streams. Then continue along a long, exposed section; the whole route is very well equipped with numerous cables but requires care: for further details, see the Practical Information section. Then head up through the forest to reach the Chalet du Boret (refreshment hut) in open terrain.

(10) Continue to the left, west-north-west, towards the Refuge de la Vogealle, signposted as a 1½-hour walk. Go round the Pierre du Dard (elevation 1,635) on the left. Continue the ascent, keeping a northerly bearing, until you reach a junction near the Refuge de la Vogealle.

(11) Continue towards Lac de la Vogealle (do not cross the stream). Carry on to the first junction, about ten minutes’ walk away.

(12) Then turn left, leaving the path leading to the lake. Follow a steeply sloping path running alongside a stream until you come to a rocky outcrop.

(13) Proceed very carefully through the Pas à l’Ours. Amidst black schist, continue along a narrow, very exposed ledge, where even the slightest misstep is absolutely forbidden (see the ‘Practical Information’ section for further details). You will then reach a flat area.

(14) Head right (west) and leave a hillock (elevation 2193) on your left. Then head west-south-west, first across a grassy slope and then through scree. Next, follow a sort of narrow pass. At the foot of the Pointe Rousse des Chambres, head south to reach the Col des Chambres on the edge of the Grand Névé. In the past, snow used to lie in this area all year round, but this is no longer the case.

(15) Continue south-south-east off the beaten track and without markings, following the cairns. Watch out for possible snow and sharp limestone pavement (see the ‘Practical Information’ section for further details). You will then reach the summit of thePointe de Bellegarde and its magnificent panorama.

(16) Turn right (south-west), crossing a few sharp limestone pavements, until you reach the Col de la Boîte aux Lettres. Then head left to quickly reach the Boîte aux Lettres itself.

(17) Turn to follow a long crevice in the rock (hence the name of this section). Descend steadily down a rugged slope with a few sections equipped with cables or chains. You’ll reach a small flat area.

(18) Continue the descent along the edge of the scree slope, following a few cairns and Yellow Arrow markings: please note, this section is almost entirely off-track.

(19) The route reaches the Arête de Trécot near a secondary summit: this is a lovely viewpoint, but watch out for the overhanging cliff not far away. In an area that is still largely off-trail, head right along a descending track and reach a flat section which you should follow for its entire length. Then follow a path to the left and, further down, reach another flat section.

(20) Continue the descent south-west along a fairly even path. Then head south and descend steeply. Watch out for any herds in the vicinity (on my last visit, the enclosures were located off the route).

(21) Further on, head west-south-west and descend via a series of tight hairpin bends. Continue down a fairly gentle slope to the Chalets de Salvadon.

(22) Carry on straight along the path to reach the bottom of the valley. Then turn left. Join a track suitable for vehicles and follow it as it continues.

(23) At a junction at a place called Croix à Augustin, veer slightly to the right (south) and enter the forest. Descend steadily along a series of bends.

(24) When you reach a stream (with a waterfall on the right), continue descending for a long way along winding paths through the forest.

(25) At a junction, carry on straight ahead and downhill, ignoring the path that climbs up to the right. Then pass a few turn-offs on the left and head for the Crot car park (S/E).

Sturdy walking boots and walking poles are recommended. This challenging walk is not recommended for those who are unsteady on their feet or prone to vertigo. It is best undertaken on dry ground with no significant snow cover (from June to October).

The route is designed as a one-day walk, but it is possible to complete it over two days with an overnight stay at the Refuge de la Vogealle (book in advance).

Alternatively, you can also reach the Chalet du Boret via the Bout du Monde: the route is less challenging, but longer (adding around 1 hour 30 minutes to the journey).

You can shorten the route by avoiding the long 5 km approach section between Le Crot (S/E) and Giffrenant (8), either by using two vehicles (please note: there is a charge for parking at the Fer-à-Cheval car park) or by taking a shuttle bus during the summer months (July–August).

Updated by the author on 09/08/2026 following a walk of the route on 08/08/2026.
The route has been revised downstream of the (18) following the observation that signposting has improved (presence of signs with a yellow arrow and numerous cairns): this route is slightly less direct, but makes it easier to find your way. The description has also been revised.

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In detail, below is a difficulty rating by section (a route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly straightforward walking with no significant elevation gain or difficulty.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-signposted 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: a route on a fairly difficult trail and/or involving imminent dangers.
- White: routes through very challenging technical terrain requiring specific equipment.

From (S/E) to (1): Green difficulty
A small track is followed with ease.
Unmarked section.

From (1) to (2): Blue difficulty
This section follows a path without any difficulties.
Markings: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (2) to (6): Green difficulty
The route follows a track that is relatively easy to walk on.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (6) to (9): Blue difficulty
The route follows a track with a few gentle ascents, presenting no particular difficulties.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (9) to (10): Red difficulty
Caution: there are difficulties to be encountered on this section, which is exposed to the drop-off and potential rockfalls. Initially, the route simply follows a path to the foot of the cliff. You then proceed over a few sloping slabs, followed by a series of ledges very close to the drop-off. The entire section is very well equipped with regularly spaced cables to ensure safe progress, but a minimum level of vigilance is required. The route is best tackled in dry conditions. Please note that the entire area is potentially exposed to rockfalls.
After reaching the Pas du Boret, the route continues through the woodland along an uphill path with no significant difficulties.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (10) to (11): Orange difficulty
The route follows a path through woodland before moving onto open terrain in a landscape that gradually becomes rocky. After reaching Le Dardet (recognisable by the hole in the rock), the route continues at the foot of cliffs in a landscape that gradually becomes rocky. Please note that this final section is potentially exposed to rockfalls throughout
Markings: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (11) to (12): Blue difficulty
Follow a path with few difficulties.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (12) to (13): Blue difficulty
On the left-hand side of a stream, follow a path up fairly steep slopes.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (13) to (14): Red difficulty
Please note that there are difficult sections at the Pas de l’Ours on a short stretch that is very exposed to the drop-off, which may be quite vertiginous for some people! Head towards the cliff over black schist terrain; the^first difficulty is encountered at a gap that must be descended and then climbed back up, or crossed in a single stride. Continuing on, the route proceeds without any technical difficulty along a very narrow ledge overhanging a ravine, which is around 20 cm wide at its narrowest point (approximately 3 metres) and where you’ll need to walk in single file, taking care to avoid any missteps. Please note that this section is impassable when there is snow and may be eroded by gullies following heavy rain.

From (14) to (15): Orange difficulty
You reach a flat section and continue along an uphill path before reaching a relatively gentle section. The route then follows a slope, crossing a scree slope with a few large boulders. You then continue with a steep ascent up a couloir on fairly steep slopes. At the top of this section, you cross a stretch of sharp limestone pavement (take care) before reaching the Col des Chambres. Please note that some sections are potentially exposed to rockfalls.
Markings: Yellow Arrows and GR® de Pays + a few cairns + signposts.

From (15) to (16): Orange difficulty
Please note that there are navigation difficulties in the Grand Névé area. Continue straight on, heading for the Pointe de Bellegarde: the route follows an off-trail path, following the cairns and the few tracks as best you can (which may be obscured by snow). Along the way, take care around a few crevasses. As you approach the summit, the route becomes slightly less straightforward in terms of navigation in a more rugged area featuring sharp limestone pavements and slabs: initially, you should resist the temptation to take a direct route to the summit; subsequently, you can head more directly towards it by skirting around the slopes. The entire area is not recommended in foggy conditions.
Please note that the summit can also be reached via other routes besides the one described here.
Unmarked area.

From (16) to (17): Blue difficulty
Follow some well-marked tracks, interrupted by a few sections of sharp limestone pavement (take care), up to the pass, then head left onto a downhill path to the Passage de la Boîte aux Lettres, which is very close by.
Unmarked section.

From (17) to (18): Red difficulty
Caution: there are difficult sections at the Passage de la Boîte aux Lettres: at the overhang of a cliff, the only option is to ‘slide’ to the right into a long crevice in the rock with a low ceiling, and you must move in a more or less crouched position whilst being guided by a chain. Further on, there is a short downclimb section where a cable is provided for safety. A little further on, a few other sections equipped with cables still require some care. Note that there are a few markers in this area to help with navigation.

From (18) to (19): Blue difficulty
Further down, you reach a small flat area: the route continues almost off-trail, using cairns for navigation. The route has been revised downstream of point (18): to view an alternative route, click here to access the old version (which has also been retained to provide a record of the changes).
Markings: Yellow Arrows / cairns.

From (19) to (20): Blue difficulty
The route, marked with cairns, helps you find your way to the junction leading to the footpath. From there onwards, the technical difficulties are minimal.
Markings: Yellow Arrows / cairns.

From (20) to (22): Blue difficulty, then Green
The route continues along a path with some fairly steep gradients. Shortly after passing a shepherd’s hut, you follow a fairly well-marked path with little difficulty down to the bottom of the valley. The route then continues easily along a track leading to the Chalets de Salvadon.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (22) to (24): Green difficulty
You follow a path, then a track suitable for vehicles, with ease down moderate slopes.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (24) to (S/E): Blue difficulty
The route continues along the same track, occasionally tackling a few steep downhill sections.
Marked with yellow arrows.

• Sixt Abbey: read the Wikipedia article by clicking here.
• Cirque du Fer-à Cheval: read the Wikipedia articles here and here.
• Lac de la Vogealle
• Gorges de Tines: a beautiful natural site that can be explored on a short hike (https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-les-gorges-de-tines/)