Pointe de Merdassier

The walk starts at a place called l’Étale, a few hundred metres past the Col de Merdassier when approaching from the Col de la Croix Fry. Park in one of the car parks situated around a junction on a right-hand bend in the road (bus shelter, recycling bins).

N.B. The purple line on the IGN map, which is supposed to represent the route, is out of date or approximate in several places.

Up to (1), directional signs are present at major junctions. After that, trail markings (on one side only, in the direction of the climb) are visible from time to time.

(S/E) Head south between several buildings (on the right) and the recycling bins (on the left). Head slightly downhill until you come out opposite a hotel. Then turn right towards Pointe de Merdassier and, after about fifty metres, turn left and walk alongside a tennis court on your left-hand side. At the corner of the court, veer left. Cross a tarmac area diagonally to the left to reach the start of the Grand Chamois ski lift.

(1) Climb straight up the slope, following a path running parallel to the ski lift line. The climb is very steep and the path remains very close to the ski lift line or directly beneath it. The final section of the climb takes place between two wooden safety fences.

(2) After reaching the top of the ski lift, make a few short switchbacks through the rocky terrain. Continue along the rocky ridge line. The climb is steep and may seem monotonous. Reach another ski lift line (not shown on the map and apparently disused) and continue climbing the ridge. Higher up, the terrain becomes grassy. Reach a small plateau.

(3) Then veer right, descend and pass the base of a small pylon. You’ll soon reach a junction.

(4) Turn left and continue climbing the ridge (a short rocky section may require you to use your hands).

(5) When the ridge rises steeply to the left, leave it and continue straight ahead, traversing the southern slope. The path takes a sharp left-hand bend and rejoins the ridge. Then follow the ridge to the right to quickly reach the summit, topped by a small statue of the Virgin Mary.

(6) The return journey follows the same route in the opposite direction. Only the points requiring caution are highlighted below.

(4) Do not miss the fork to the right to head back up, go round the small pylon and reach the plateau.

(3) Although the ridge is not exposed, the descent requires a degree of caution.

(2) Descend along the ski lift line to its starting point.

(1) Go round the hotel on the left (going round on the right is not permitted). At the hotel entrance, head up the road on the left until you reach the starting point (S/E).

Hiking boots are essential. For experienced walkers, walking poles are a great help, both on the ascent and the descent.

No water sources identified along the route. Bars and restaurants at L’Étale and the Col de la Croix Fry.

Although the route is straightforward, a detailed map is always useful (at the very least, the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed by the author on 3 August 2021.

As the route follows a ridge for almost its entire length, the views are generally sweeping.

From the summit, there is a superb 360° panorama: apart from the Aravis, the nearest features include the Tournette massif, the Beaufortin, the Mont Blanc massif, the Bornes and a small section of Lake Geneva and the Jura mountains.