Pointe des Chardes

The Pointe des Chardes doesn’t seem to be very well known, yet it’s a beautiful, wild hike that isn’t too difficult, with an incredible view from the summit. We’re right in the heart of the Vanoise.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.38 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,747 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,744 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,560 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,816 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The route starts from Champagny le Haut, Vanoise. Park in the large car park next to the cross-country ski hut.

(S/E) Walk through the hamlet towards the Écomusée; on your left, look for a small lane (signposted) which leads to the bottom of a steep meadow (fence). Head up the slope (north), following the various tracks as best you can, until you come to a forest track which you follow up to the left.
You will soon come to a fork on the right (signposted) which you take, leaving the track. You are now on the path. Follow it easily to the Lécheron mountain pasture.

(1) Continue to the Froide Fontaine hut.

(2) Look out to the east, in the valley, for a small path which you should follow to a small, unnamed lake.

(3) The trail disappears from the lake but the general route is easy to find. Head north-east towards the Golet de la Valaisonnay, which lies between the Pointe des Chardes and the summit of the Bechi Rouge. There are no tricky sections; the slopes are gentle and, if you keep an eye out, you’ll find old tracks. Otherwise, follow your bearing, making your way as best you can between the grassy slopes and the scree. Reach the Golet.

(4) Climb to the Pointe des Chardes (south-east), which is just a stone’s throw from the Golet. There isn’t really a path, but follow the ridge and you’ll be fine. It is not uncommon to disturb a whole herd of mouflons in this wild area. For my part, I must have counted about fifteen that day. If there are several of you, it is best to stay together, because of the rockfalls you might trigger.

(5) Here we are at the summit, where the view is remarkable: Dôme de Bellecote, Dôme de la Sache, la Grande Casse, Pointe du Vallonnet, the Grand Bec de Pralognan. Descend back to Le Golet via the same route.

(4) Head east, then north: there isn’t really a path, but there are numerous tracks which you follow as best you can to reach the bottom of the valley (2,650 m). Follow the valley floor eastwards, cross the Ruisseau de Plaisance and climb up the opposite side to reach a small marshy area.

(6) From here, rejoin the path (cairn) and follow the stream, first on the left bank, then at around 2,780 m, cross it to follow the right bank whilst staying on the path. The stream can be crossed at different points depending on the season (snow or stream erosion). Follow the path to the Plaisance refuge, where you can stop for a snack.

(7) From the refuge, follow the summer path, which is well-marked and leads down into the valley to a place called Le Laisonnay d’en Haut. When you reach a large car park, take the tarmac road on the right to head down towards Champagny le Haut. Pass through Le Laisonnay d’en Bas, then cross the stream.

(8) Please note: just after the bridge, make sure you leave the road and take the path on the right which leads directly to Champagny le Haut. If you miss it, it’s not a big deal, but you’ll have to walk for an hour along the tarmac road.

(9) At the hamlet of Friburge, the path crosses the stream, which you then follow along its right bank. Keep as close to the stream as possible and you’ll reach Champagny le Haut (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,816 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.35 - alt. 6,844 ft - Lécheron mountain pasture
  3. 2 : mi 2.03 - alt. 8,031 ft - Chalet de Froide Fontaine
  4. 3 : mi 2.33 - alt. 8,366 ft - Small unnamed lake
  5. 4 : mi 2.99 - alt. 9,173 ft - Golet de la Valaisonnay
  6. 5 : mi 3.18 - alt. 9,560 ft - Summit of the Pointe des Chardes
  7. 6 : mi 3.87 - alt. 8,579 ft - Small marsh, path junction
  8. 7 : mi 4.91 - alt. 7,133 ft - Plaisance Refuge
  9. 8 : mi 6.59 - alt. 5,105 ft - Path on the right after the bridge
  10. 9 : mi 7.56 - alt. 4,941 ft - Fribourg
  11. S/E : mi 8.38 - alt. 4,816 ft - Car park

Notes

The main challenge of this hike is its length.
This hike can be more or less challenging depending on the season, i.e. depending on snow conditions.
The descent on the Plaisance valley side from the Golet de la Valaisonnay can be tricky because, if there is snow from the Golet onwards, the slope is steep. In this case, an ice axe and crampons will be useful.
It can be done as a circular route in either direction, or simply as a return trip. It can even be done over two days, staying overnight at the Plaisance refuge. In this case, the route is done anti-clockwise.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
EVERUN
EVERUN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I understand that reviews are important, but it's annoying not to respond. It could imply that the tour went well but that you don't want to waste your time giving your opinion...
i really appreciate Visorando.
See you soon for a constructive comment. Hiker

Hello, so I completed the route... it was magnificent, with just one downside: I found the descent below Pointe des Chardes a little dangerous
and the return trip was indeed a bit long...
Saw eight ibex on the rocks
(not to mention the signposting, which was perfect because it was the day after the Grand Bec trail... everything was clearly marked!)

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de Tellier Gilles
de Tellier Gilles

Hello,
Yes, the return journey is a bit long, actually... 🤷
You're right about the passage at point 6, but what a magnificent place to stop for a snack 😉
Enjoy your upcoming hikes!
Gilles

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jjG
jjG

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely mountain tour with beautiful views of some of the Vanoise glaciers.
At first glance, these appear to be ibexes basking in the sun below the Pointe des Chardes
After point 4, there is no need to climb back up to point 6, as there is a marked and cairned path on the right bank of the Plaisance stream.
The return trip is a bit long

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EVERUN
EVERUN

Hello, I realise that reviews are important, but it’s a bit of a shame not to leave a comment – it might give the impression that the route was completed successfully but that people don’t want to waste their time giving their feedback...
I really appreciate Visorando.
See you soon for a constructive comment, hiker

Machine-translated

de Tellier Gilles
de Tellier Gilles

Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about what’s happened to you.
However, this hike is classified as difficult and involves some off-trail sections.
You therefore need a good sense of direction.
I don’t understand how you can get lost if you follow the route???
I did this route myself, so I followed it exactly as the route description indicated. 🤷
What reassures me is that the person who left the previous comment thought everything was excellent...!
Have a good evening.
Best regards – G de T

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PenséeEperonnée
PenséeEperonnée

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We wanted to follow the suggested route. But as described, the route must not have been done at the same time of year. As we were experiencing strong gusts of wind, we didn’t get the map out straight away and relied on the route and the map provided by this guide: it led us uphill and we got lost! We retraced our steps and managed to get our bearings again using our IGN map. Furthermore, the first section (access to the pass) was made easier for us by someone who had shown us the way.

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Benoit Nelles
Benoit Nelles

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely outing with stunning scenery, including ibex and bearded vultures. There’s snow on the descent down the valley after the pass; after this time of year, you’ll need to be properly equipped for this steep section. The descent is quite long, but overall the trip is well worth it.

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