Pointe de Chésery and Tête de Lindaret

Start from the Col de Bassachaux, accessible by car from Châtel (car park at the pass).

(S/E) Follow the^GR®5(red and white markings) towards the Col de Chésery. A good track climbs gently towards the south-east.

(1) After a good kilometre, at the 1824-metre mark (signpost), turn left onto a well-marked track leading to the chairlift terminus. Pass in front of the Fantasticâble departure point.

(2) Continue south-east along the Rochassons ridge. The path winds gently uphill through rhododendrons before rising steeply across the pastures. After several hairpin bends, the slope levels out. Follow the ridge path to the summit.

(3) The descent follows the same route back to the Fantasticâble departure point.

(2) Walk past the chairlift arrival point, ignore the track on the left which you took on the way up, and continue along the ridge, heading north-west. The path is initially fairly flat before climbing again to the Tête des Lindarets.

(4) Continue downhill in the same direction. Cross a mountain bike track (take care). Continue downhill, following a few hairpin bends, until you reach the track you took on the way up. Follow it to the right to return to the Col de Bassachaux (S/E).

Hiking boots and equipment are required.

No water sources were spotted along the route. There is a bar-restaurant at the Col de Bassachaux (S/E).

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

Alternative descent route
At this point (2), thrill-seekers can descend via the Fantasticâble. This giant zip line (for a fee) takes you, in two sections, to the Col de Bassachaux road. You will then need to walk back up to reach your vehicle, or arrange to be picked up by those who have walked down. The cable crosses a valley several hundred metres above the ground: not for the faint-hearted!

Hike undertaken by the author on 24 July 2012.

From the summit, there is a stunning, close-up view of the Dents du Midi and the Dents Blanches.