Pointe de la Met Col de Bézin Col et Pointe des Fours

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A wild hike in the Vanoise, taking place entirely above 2,500m. As signposting is minimal
(two signs along the entire route, one of which is at the start), it is best to be well-prepared and equipped (map, compass, GPS, etc.).
Admittedly, there are cairns dotted along the route, but the only reliable indication they provide is that someone has been there before you.
Snowfields can persist quite late in the season, with some residual traces remaining in late September.

Details

n°1503709
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.79 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,628 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,612 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 10,046 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 8,314 ft
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Photos

Summit of La Met

Description of the walk

Park at the Pont de la Neige car park (2,528m).

(S/E) Head south-west along the path (this is a variant ofthe GR®5leading to the Col des Fours), which quickly crosses the Torrent des Illards. The path climbs through an almost lunar landscape, always heading south-west. At around 2,800m, the path splits into two.

(1) Let theGR®5path to the Col des Fours pass to your right; continue south towards a pass at around 2,845m.

(2) Cross over to the other side, following a path that is less marked than in the first section. Cross the Ruisseau des Fonds and begin the ascent towards the Pointe de la Met. Plan your route carefully by observing the terrain and key crossing points; in fact, the path is poorly marked and sometimes only becomes visible at the last moment.
Reach Pointe de la Met (3041m), marked by a distinctive cairn.

(3) Descend easily westwards over a fairly broad ridge, then climb north-west towards the Col de Bézin, situated between the southern and northern peaks of Bézin.

(4) From the Col de Bézin, look for a track that climbs up the western flank of the northern peak of Bézin. Follow it to the 2996m point, a sort of small pass at the foot of the jagged rock of the Pointe des Fours.

(5) There is, or is said to be, a route to climb Pointe des Fours via its south-eastern flank, but given the exposed nature of the terrain, it is advisable to choose a safer option.
Descend via a path that starts off steep towards Lac du Grand Fond, the aim being to go round it along its right bank. Climb slightly to join theGR®5variant.

(6) Head left to reach the Col des Fours.

(7) Make a round trip to the Pointe des Fours (3072m). This is a ridge path; stay alert.

(8) Return to the Col des Fours.

(7) Descend via the well-marked path.

(6) Leave the path you took earlier on your right and continue straight on to reach the junction you passed on the way up.

(1) Follow the route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 8,314 ft - Pont de la Neige car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.95 - alt. 9,222 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.31 - alt. 9,124 ft - Pass
  4. 3 : mi 2.1 - alt. 9,964 ft - Pointe de la Met
  5. 4 : mi 2.6 - alt. 9,616 ft - Col de Bézin
  6. 5 : mi 2.95 - alt. 9,833 ft - Point 2996 m (a sort of small pass)
  7. 6 : mi 3.54 - alt. 9,626 ft - Junction with the GR5
  8. 7 : mi 3.7 - alt. 9,760 ft - Col des Fours
  9. 8 : mi 3.96 - alt. 10,046 ft - Pointe des Fours
  10. S/E : mi 5.79 - alt. 8,314 ft - Pont de la Neige car park.

Notes

The Pont de la Neige car park is located 2.5 km below the Col de l'Iseran on the Maurienne side.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely hike with beautiful views of the two peaks.
I lost the trail at times, but found it again by following your tracks, so thank you for that.
The most difficult part was climbing the first hill without too much trouble. After point 2, heading towards Pointe de la Met, I saw two possible routes.
From the pass to Pointe des Fours, there is a difficult passage with an exposed ledge that allows you to reach the trail with a small jump.
In fact, just before that, you can climb up an easy rock on the left, and once you reach the top, you will also find a path.
On the way back, this translates into a fork with the path leading to the rock on the right and the path leading to the ledge on the left.
Thank you

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AlainBessans73
AlainBessans73

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, wild and charming hike.
However, you need to be used to off-trail hiking to find your way.
There are a few patches of snow to cross in mid-August, but they’re no trouble at all.
At least there aren’t the crowds you find at the Col des Fours. A real pleasure.

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paki1
paki1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with plenty of snow on 7 July 2020. The snowfields leading up to the Col des Fours are very steep and require caution. We took a detour via the 3020-metre peak north of Pointe Met and via the Ouille de Trétete.

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f.hubert
f.hubert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely hike that takes us above 3,000 metres. There are a few tricky sections on the climb up to the Pointe de Met, but they’re manageable. Once you reach the top, what a view! There’s still snow to walk on at the start of August; only the snowfield at the Col de Bezins is a bit tricky. Even if the path seems to disappear, there’s no risk, thanks to Visorando.

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pop1955
pop1955

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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