Pointe du Midi circular via the Montarquis Cave and Lake Peyre

The route starts at the Col de la Colombière (please note that parking can be a bit of a headache on busy days).

(S/E) Take the path towards the Grotte de Montarquis and Lac de Peyre.

(1) At Chalet de la Colombière, continue to the right towards Grotte de Montarquis (the path on the left will be used for the return journey). After a few short ascents and descents on a slightly uneven path in places, you will arrive at the ruins of Montarquis (an alpine chalet destroyed by an avalanche in 1962).

(2) The slope then becomes significantly steeper, and you arrive in the middle of the Montarquis valley, then turn right and follow the foot of the cliff (be careful of the risk of falling rocks).

(3) After passing by a small cave, you will reach a^second cave, similar to the Montarquis cave, with a relatively wide entrance: I encourage you to take a few steps inside.
Continue along the path (unmarked from this point onwards) towards the pass (unnamed but clearly visible). Once you reach the ridge, head almost straight towards a small peak (another unnamed spot).

(4) From here, you can enjoy the view: nearby, Pointe Dzérat and Pointe du Midi; to the north-east, Tour du Bargy; and to the south-east, Pointe d'Almet and the Aravis mountain range. Retrace your steps back to the pass and look for a well-marked path on the left leading downhill to the bottom of Combe Sauvage.

(5) Continue straight ahead uphill on a faint trail in a predominantly grassy environment. A little higher up, the path suddenly turns left onto a moderate slope, then, not far away, turn right towards a clearly visible corridor on a steep slope. At first, you will skirt a scree slope on your right, then gradually the environment becomes more rocky.

You will reach the Cu Déri couloir; extreme caution is required due to the real risk of rockfall in this area. While it is possible that the rocks may be caused by ibex or unstable terrain, I would advise you to avoid triggering rockfall underfoot as much as possible (and if you are in a group, stay close together). To make the climb easier, I recommend climbing on the left side of the couloir, which is less slippery and provides more stable footholds (at times it is even preferable to do so with one or two climbing steps at the edge). Be careful of the chasm at the top of the couloir (which can be avoided by staying to the left).

(6) You will arrive at the pass (Porte d'Enfer): head right in an upward direction towards the ridge line. At a breach, continue carefully to the left on this passage, which requires the use of your hands (relatively easy but a little exposed to the void).

(7) The summit, marked by two crosses and a cairn, is not far away. Depending on visibility, you can enjoy beautiful 360-degree views: nearby is the Bargy mountain range, and a little further away is the Aravis mountain range, Mont Blanc to the east, and La Tournette and Lake Geneva to the west. The platform is relatively wide, but be careful of the nearby cliffs, which drop away steeply.
Retrace your steps back to the Porte d'Enfer.

(6) Head right into the corridor in the direction of the descent, then, at the bottom, turn right and climb towards the foot of the cliff (be careful of the potential risk of falling rocks), then the ridge line. In a rocky environment, follow the cliff along a path that is moderately visible at times.
Once you reach the ridge line, follow it to the left, more or less closely, on a clearly visible path, all in an exposed environment, mainly on the Cenise slope to the west.

(8) The moderately marked Pointe de Balafrasse comes into view. To reach it, turn right towards the nearby ridge line.
Continue along the path and you will soon find the trail leading to the Col de Balafrasse. From here, continue left on a steep descent towards the lake.

(9) You will reach Lac de Perye, a lovely spot for a short break. Then head due east and take a path downhill. The route follows one of the many tracks, with slopes of varying steepness. After a short while, you will reach Chalet de la Colombière, which you saw on the way up.

(1) Continue to the right to return to the Col de la Colombière (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here.

Good hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended, and a helmet is a plus for your safety (especially if there are people or wildlife on the hills).

The route between points (5) and (8) is not very clear, so we recommend using a GPS device with this GPX track loaded (particularly for the Combe Sauvage and Cu Déri corridor areas).

The route is recommended for experienced hikers.

Please take your rubbish with you; nature will thank you for it.

Here is a description of the difficulties encountered along each section (the route is not uniform):
- green: fairly easy going with no significant elevation changes or difficulties
- blue: steeper slopes and/or gradients on a well-marked route
- orange: route presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route viability (markings or visibility of the path).
- red: difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment with some hazards.
- Black: fairly difficult route with some inherent dangers.
- White: route in very difficult technical environments requiring certain equipment.

From (S/E) to (1) Green difficulty
A wide, fairly easy path is used.
Signposts are present.

From (1) to (2) Blue difficulty
The path has a few slightly uneven sections with ascents and descents, but overall there is very little difference in altitude. Please note: in this area, you may encounter sheepdogs protecting flocks of sheep.
Signposts are present, plus yellow arrow markings.

From (2) to (3) Blue difficulty
There is a sustained slope, but no major difficulties. The area at the foot of the cliff is potentially exposed to rockfalls.
Signposts + yellow arrow markings.

From (3) to (5) Blue difficulty
Progress is relatively easy on a well-marked route.
Unmarked section.

From (5) to (6) Black difficulty
The route is not very visible at the start of the ascent, but becomes easier after the bend to the left.
A major difficulty is encountered a little higher up when climbing the Cu Déri couloir: on unstable ground, stones roll easily underfoot and caution should be exercised in this section. I recommend keeping to the left to find more stable ground.
This section is not marked and can be difficult to navigate (feel free to use a GPS with the GPX track loaded).

From (6) to (7) Orange difficulty (and vice versa)
Follow a well-marked path. Care is needed when crossing a gap.
Unmarked area.

From (7) to (8) Red difficulty
The descent into a couloir takes place on a steep, rocky slope. The route then continues in the direction of the ascent at the foot of a cliff potentially exposed to rockfalls (try to stay away from it).
Access to Pointe de Balafrasse is via a path that runs more or less parallel to the ridge line (be careful of the fairly exposed terrain, mainly on the western slope towards Cenise).
This sector is not marked.

From (8) to (9) Blue difficulty
The trail continues to follow the ridge line to Col de Balafrasse (be careful of the exposure), then follow a trail down a steep slope towards Lac de Peyre (be careful, there are several trails).
This section is not marked.

From (9) to (1) Blue difficulty
There are numerous tracks to follow on your descent, which involves a few hairpin bends and some rough sections.
Unmarked area.

From (1) to (S/E) Green difficulty
Easy route
Signposts are present.

• Montarquis Cave
• Pointe du Midi: read the Wikipedia article.
• Lac de Peyre: see the Wikipedia article