Pointe de la Bailletaz via the Col de la Bailletaz

de fr

This hike, which is not particularly difficult apart from its final section, is an extension of the route to the Col de la Bailletaz from the Saut Dam. It takes you up to a 3,000-metre peak via the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve before you reach a more high-mountain environment from the Col de la Bailletaz (2,852 m). I have therefore included the description of the first four points up to the Col de la Bailletaz. My addition concerns the route to the summit of the Pointe de la Bailletaz (3,071 m) via a more rugged path.

Details

n°108361190
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.20 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,575 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,575 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 10,052 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7,454 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

From Bourg-Saint-Maurice, head towards Val d’Isère (D902). At Villaret du Nial, turn left towards La Sassière. Drive through Villaret du Nial and continue to the Barrage du Saut. Park in the car park by Lac du Saut.

(S/E) Take the track to the left of Lac du Saut towards Lac de la Sassière. Pass the Chalet du Santel on your left, continue along the track and head for the Lac de la Sassière dam.

(1) Turn right and cross the dam. Just after the dam, turn left towards the Col de la Baillettaz.

(2) Ignore a path on the right and carry on southwards.

(3) At the next junction, turn left onto the path towards the pass. Pass at the foot of the striking Pointe de Picheru and head across the valley with Lac de la Sassière below on your left.

(4) Climb a few hairpin bends and pass above Lac Santel. You will then reach the Col de la Bailletaz (magnificent views; note Lac de la Bailletaz nestled 100 m below).

(5) Then turn right towards the west onto a faintly marked path, cross a few grassy knolls and reach the foot of a rocky outcrop blocking access to the summit.

(6) Go round this rocky outcrop by taking a faint path to the left, crossing a scree slope that is a little exposed but not insurmountable – though you’ll still need to remain vigilant. At the end of the scree slope, look out for the path branching off to the right to climb the final few dozen metres to the summit

(7)Return along the same route in the opposite direction as far as the junction near the dam.

(2) Take the path on the left. Follow the River Sassière. Further on, pass the Chalet de la Sassière on your right. Follow the southern shore of Lac du Saut and reach the road at the hamlet of Le Saut, now in ruins. Turn right onto this road and head back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 7,477 ft - Car park at the Barrage du - Lac du Saut
  2. 1 : mi 2.1 - alt. 8,071 ft - Dam embankment - Lac de la Sassière
  3. 2 : mi 2.48 - alt. 8,117 ft - Common junction (out and back) - Lac de la Sassière
  4. 3 : mi 2.62 - alt. 8,179 ft - Common junction (out and back)
  5. 4 : mi 3.32 - alt. 8,576 ft - Change of direction
  6. 5 : mi 4.39 - alt. 9,377 ft - Col de la Bailletaz
  7. 6 : mi 4.65 - alt. 9,626 ft - Rocky outcrop
  8. 7 : mi 4.85 - alt. 10,020 ft - Pointe de la Bailletaz
  9. S/E : mi 9.2 - alt. 7,477 ft - Car park at the Barrage du - Lac du Saut

Notes

Please note: the environment you will be passing through on this walk is fragile. Take care with the flora (it is forbidden to pick edelweiss) and do not disturb the local wildlife. Take your rubbish home with you and pick up any you find.
Make sure you bring plenty of water.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

From (7), you can head south-east to visit Lac du Plan du Cheval.

Other walks in the area

Walking Aiguille de la Grande Sassière

Visorando Member
Aiguille de la Grande Sassière
↔6.57 mi ↗+4,833 ft ↘-4,813 ft ◔7 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Tignes (Savoie)
While the Barrhorn (3,610 m) in Switzerland is the highest officially marked hike in Europe, the Aiguille de la Grande Sassière (3,747 m) hike takes you higher up on a path perfectly marked with cairns. It runs alongside a glacier that is unfortunately receding year after year. Magnificent view of the French and Italian peaks. Please read the recommendations in the practical information section carefully.

Walking Col de la Bailletaz from the Saut Dam

Visorando Member
Col de la Bailletaz depuis le Barrage du Saut
↔8.16 mi ↗+1,854 ft ↘-1,854 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Tignes (Savoie)
This easy hike in the Grande Sassière Reserve will take you to a high mountain environment, between lakes and glaciers.

Walking Walking along the Sassière to the lake

Visorando Member
En longeant la Sassière jusqu'au Lac
↔4.31 mi ↗+610 ft ↘-614 ft ◔2h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Tignes (Savoie)
A family walk along a path following a small mountain river called the Sassière in the nature reserve of the same name. The walk ends at a small mountain dam that forms Lac de la Sassière. Keep your eyes peeled for marmots.

Walking Lac de la Sassière, starting from Villaret

Visorando Member
Le Lac de la Sassière au départ du Villaret
↔10.38 mi ↗+2,270 ft ↘-2,260 ft ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Tignes (Savoie)
The aim of this hike is to climb across the fields, above the pretty hamlet of Villaret du Nial, with Lac du Chevril and the resort of Tignes in view, up to the wide, high-altitude valley of La Sassière and the lake of the same name, set against a backdrop of peaks still capped with snow.

Walking The Balcons des Barmettes trail

Tourist office
↔3.05 mi ↗+899 ft ↘-436 ft ◔2h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Val-d'Isère (Savoie)
Balcony trail from La Daille to Le Fornet with several possible entry points. The Balcony Trail is a must-do walk in Val d’Isère. It requires a bit of physical effort, but you’ll soon be rewarded with breathtaking views of the village, Solaise and Bellevarde.

Walking Rhêmes-Golette Glacier and Lake

Visorando Member
Glacier et lac de Rhêmes-Golette
↔15.72 mi ↗+6,293 ft ↘-6,276 ft ◔5 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Val-d'Isère (Savoie)
Situated in the Haute Tarentaise massif, this small lake nestles at the foot of the Rhêmes-Golette glacier. Dominated by the peaks of Grande Sassière (3,747m) and Tsanteleina (3,602m) on the Italian border, this route takes you through a high-mountain landscape, between lakes and glaciers. This hike is reserved for experienced and fit mountain walkers.

Walking Route via Picheru and Col de la Bailletaz from Val-d'Isère

Visorando Member
Passage de Picheru et Col de la Bailletaz depuis Val-d'Isère
↔10.53 mi ↗+4,731 ft ↘-4,738 ft ◔9h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Val-d'Isère (Savoie)
A fairly strenuous hike offering the chance to enjoy the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve, as well as the Bailletaz Nature Reserve, via two passes. The route offers stunning views of the Aiguille de la Grande Sassière and La Tsanteleina to the north. As the route passes through two nature reserves, please respect the wildlife. Yellow markings and signposts.

Walking From Val d’Isère to Tignes via the Pas de la Tovière and back

Visorando Member
De Val d'Isère à Tignes par le Pas de la Tovière en aller-retour
↔10.01 mi ↗+2,467 ft ↘-2,477 ft ◔6h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Val-d'Isère (Savoie)
Val d’Isère offers a wide range of hiking options starting from the resort, in both winter and summer. We reached Tignes by following theGR®5for the most part, climbing through the wide-open spaces of the valley and the Tovière plateau, from where you can see many familiar peaks, such as the Rocher de Bellevarde, the Grande Sassière, the Dôme de la Sache, and even Mont Blanc.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.