Pointe de Tardevant

A superb hike that begins in a valley in the Aravis mountain range and ends with a breathtaking finale and a 360° panorama of the Northern Alps.

Details

139820
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,096 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,088 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,496 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,444 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the Confins car park at the end of the road from La Clusaz.

(S/E) Take the wide, easy path heading north-east towards Paccaly. Pass the Lanchette and Bottière chalets.

(1) Turn right onto a marked trail towards Tardevant. This trail climbs up the mountainside towards the Chalet de Paccaly below. Keep heading northeast, ignoring the trail that branches off to the right up the Combe de Paccaly and the trailheads on the left.

(2) At the fork indicating the direction of the Refuge de la Bombardellaz, take the signposted path on the right (south then south-east) which enters the Combe de Tardevant. Leave the path leading to the Chalet de Tardevant on your right and head towards Lac de Tardevant via a slightly steeper path and a "lock" which you go around on the left.

(3) From the lake, the trail is no longer marked but the relatively obvious path is marked with cairns. At the tip of the lake, head east-southeast on a trail that climbs through grassy valleys until you see a first scree slope, which you can climb without difficulty via a well-marked trail. After passing a small flat area from where you can see the ridges, climb a second scree slope via a winding trail that leads to the rocky peak of Ambrevetta.

(4) Follow the ridge that branches off to the left (west-northwest) and leads to the Pointe de Tardevant via an almost horizontal, exposed path.

(5) The return journey follows the same route as the ascent, until you reach the fork at the bottom of the valley, shortly after the Chalet de Tardevant.

(2) Take the signposted path on the right towards the Refuge de la Bombardellaz. This balcony path winds its way through blueberry fields before descending to the left into the forest at Rocher de Rô, towards the refuge located in a splendid mountain pasture with views of the valley.

(6) Take a wide forest path which, heading south-west, first reaches Paccaly.

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

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,444 m - Parking - Lac des Confins
  2. 1 : km 1.28 - alt. 1,490 m - Paccaly
  3. 2 : km 2.98 - alt. 1,765 m - Bottom of the Combe de Tardevant
  4. 3 : km 4.25 - alt. 2,114 m - Lac de Tardevant
  5. 4 : km 5.55 - alt. 2,440 m - L'Ambrevetta
  6. 5 : km 5.97 - alt. 2,496 m - Pointe de - Tardevant
  7. 6 : km 10 - alt. 1,620 m - Refuge de la Bombardellaz
  8. S/E : km 12.8 - alt. 1,444 m - Parking - Lac des Confins

Notes

From the start of the hike, the route is marked with very clear signposts at each fork in the path, indicating the direction of Lac de Tardevant and other points of interest (Chalet de Paccaly, Chalet de Tardevant, etc.).

The path along the summit ridge, between (4) and (5), is about 2 metres wide and requires some care, although it is not dangerous. It offers views of impressive peaks on both sides of the valley. This section is therefore not suitable for people who are prone to vertigo.

It is possible to only hike as far as Lac de Tardevant (3), which is a lovely destination in itself.

Bring warm clothing for the final ridge, especially in windy conditions.

Refreshments are available at the Chalet de Paccaly and the Refuge de la Bombardellaz.

Worth a visit

From the summit (5), marked by a large cairn, you can admire a splendid 360° panorama encompassing the resorts of La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand, the Aravis mountain range, the Mont Blanc massif and the Vanoise and Ecrins glaciers.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 36 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
lenusRHONE
lenusRHONE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, very popular on this beautiful early autumn day.
Aerial passages towards the end, breathtaking 360° views.

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Hugo38500
Hugo38500

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike with a magnificent view at the top.
However, as is often the case in the Aravis, you won't be alone..

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Blin
Blin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with no significant difficulties, even on the scree slope, rewarded by a magnificent panorama.
This route is well known and therefore quite busy, but there are fewer hikers once you leave the lake!
I wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful outing, preferably during the week.
Enjoy the walk, everyone!

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plouff42
plouff42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

great hike, with magnificent views. I recommend it, although it is a bit physically challenging.

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Pierlet
Pierlet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike on 8 August, busy up to the lake and much less so to reach the peak.
It was a shame that the clouds prevented us from enjoying the superb view

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yves PB
yves PB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went on a very nice hike in beautiful weather. The view from the summit is magnificent.
It was a bit chilly on the ridge before the summit, but it was quite nice.

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Palavas34
Palavas34
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Climb from the lake through scree but not very busy. Spectacular view from the summit.
Hike done with my dog.
Return via the refuge for lunch (early start at 7 a.m.) and a loop rather than a return trip.
No problems with snowfields at this time of year.
The route to the lake was very busy: we encountered many hikers on the way back, but hardly anyone when we left at 7 a.m. Only two hikers at the summit.

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giroddo@orange.fr
giroddo@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We only went as far as Lac de Tardevant because there were numerous snowfields to cross before reaching the glacier barrier at the lake and the group was large.
It was a shame because we would have gone as far as the Col de l'Ambrevettaz.
Return via the Bombardellaz refuge to complete the loop.
A very beautiful hike with breathtaking scenery.

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RNST
RNST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful climb with the reward of magnificent views of Aravis and Mont Blanc.
At the weekend, there are quite a lot of people.
a beautiful climb with magnificent views of the Aravis and Mont Blanc as a reward.
At the weekend, there are quite a lot of people

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cpnolimit
cpnolimit

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, a beautiful view of Lake Tardevant and arrival at the Pointe de Tardevant with a 360° view of the Aravis mountain range and Mont Blanc.

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ALEX69
ALEX69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that passes by Lake Tardevent. There are beautiful views of the lake and Mount Tardevent, with a view of Mont Blanc.
Very easy to follow. At the top, be careful if you're afraid of heights, as there is a section on a ridge.

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LAFOND74
LAFOND74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy-to-follow hike.
Option to return via the Bombardelaz chalet for those who wish to extend the return journey without difficulty.

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Netra
Netra ★
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed in light fog (but before the storm) to the lake, which is well worth the climb! Beautiful setting, varied route, superb lake site.

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Sticot
Sticot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike and very nice slide on a snowfield (mid-July)
The description is reliable, no problem finding your way around.
Photos of the hike https://www.instagram.com/p/CGozhUPgsU1/

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cipal74
cipal74

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, a bit strenuous for us at 70 years old.

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