Pointe Percée via the usual route

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Hike to the summit of the Aravis range. This popular summit, situated on the GRP® Massif de Tournette-Aravis, offers a magnificent 360° panorama of all the surrounding mountain ranges and peaks.

Although it does not require mountaineering equipment, the hike is rated TD as it requires a good sense of direction and features generally steep slopes, exposed sections, scree crossings and numerous sections where you need to use your hands.

Details

n°13846189
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.24 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,098 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,091 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,740 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,721 m
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Photos

La Pointe Percée
Mont Blanc Range
The Aravis

Description of the walk

The start is at the Col des Annes at 1,720 m. There is a small car park. If this is full, park along the road as you climb.

(S/E) At the pass, take the wide, carriageable track heading south-east towards the Refuge Gramusset. Stay on this wide track, ignoring the paths on either side, and you will reach the Tête des Annes (top station of a chairlift).

(1) Continue south-east. Pass directly below an unnamed peak with an altitude of 1,950 m and then the Pointe des Delevrets. You will reach the Col de l’Oulettaz.

(2) After the pass, the path turns south-east and begins to descend for a few dozen metres. The climb resumes quickly. Continue straight on (south-south-east).

(3) At a junction, turn left (east-southeast) and climb the switchbacks to the Refuge Gramusset, which can be seen from below.

(4) From here, there are no further signposts; you must visualise the route and follow the red dots or lines visible on the rock. Head east, to the left as you leave the refuge, and take care on the sharp limestone pavement. Then climb up a scree slope with numerous switchbacks of varying prominence. A snowfield may be present depending on the season.

(5) The climbing section begins here; it is not particularly difficult if you follow the red markings carefully. Head first towards the summit (east) then veer right (south-east).

(6) At this junction, turn left and follow the markings to the summit. Beyond this point, and as you approach the summit, the climbing becomes more exposed. Take care with your footing.

(7) For the descent, take exactly the same route; don’t hesitate to use your hands and knees to steady yourself. This will take you to the Col des Annes (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,722 m - Col des Annes (1721m)
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 1,861 m - Tête des Annes
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 1,918 m - Col de l'Oulettaz (1925m)
  4. 3 : km 2.82 - alt. 2,016 m - Junction
  5. 4 : km 3.42 - alt. 2,163 m - Refuge Gramusset
  6. 5 : km 4.1 - alt. 2,442 m - Start of the climbing section
  7. 6 : km 4.49 - alt. 2,694 m - Junction 2
  8. 7 : km 4.61 - alt. 2,740 m - Pointe Percée (Aravis)
  9. S/E : km 9.24 - alt. 1,723 m - Col des Annes (1721m)

Notes

Water sources at the Refuge Gramusset.
A helmet is recommended (risk of falling rocks from hikers above you), as are ropes when accompanied by young children.
High-top boots are strongly recommended for the scree slope.

Worth a visit

360° views of all the surrounding mountain ranges and peaks.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Jemzolo
Jemzolo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I left the pass very early (5 a.m.), so I was alone at the summit.
The section after the refuge is well marked, both on the way up and down. And it's in the shade in the morning.
Very impressive rocky landscape, magnificent sharp limestone pavements.
A beautiful hike where you need to use your hands and not be prone to vertigo.

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.ai1ia.
.ai1ia.

Hello,
I did this on 31/10/2024 with my 14-year-old son on a splendid autumn’s day. Not too crowded and a superb hike with very good signposting. No particular difficulty for people in good physical condition who are used to walking in the mountains and do not suffer from vertigo. The exposed sections can be daunting but are all safe with plenty of handholds, including the final ridge, despite the rock being worn smooth by frequent use. This is certainly not the case in bad weather or on wet rock. As always in the mountains, the weather is a decisive factor.

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cloclo851
cloclo851
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really enjoyable hike, though with plenty of exposed and technical sections.
Done with my two teenagers, aged 14 and 16.
The finish is superb.
I’d recommend it, but only for experienced hikers!!

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angelchevalier21
angelchevalier21

Hello

Having read the comment from 23 August, I’m wondering if I’ll ever actually go on this hike… because I’ve already found myself in difficulty when crossing over the Buclon on my way to Jallouvre, and I don’t want to repeat the experience. Do you have to press yourself against the rock face to get through? Apart from that, I’d really love to do it if there isn’t that difficulty. Thanks for your feedback!

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didier burel
didier burel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There really were a lot of hikers.

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Tokiwalki
Tokiwalki

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 16 August 2023. Set off at 8.50 am, reached the summit at 10.30 am.

The highest peak in the Aravis, the Pointe Percée is a must-see. I must admit I was a bit apprehensive as it’s an imposing and awe-inspiring summit (it looks even more daunting when viewed from Sallanches). The tricky final section certainly doesn’t help matters either. Fortunately, everything went well!

A big advantage in summer: setting off at 8.50 am means the whole ascent is in the shade! As a result, you’re in a refreshingly cool atmosphere, which is very welcome, allowing you to avoid the midday heat and thus minimising fatigue.

The proposed route is clear and unambiguous. It’s impossible to go wrong; the path is heavily marked with red dots, both on the ascent and the descent. Just perfect!

Regarding point no. 4 on the route, I’d add that on the descent the scree slope is quite unstable; it’s very slippery despite good trail shoes and poles. So be careful.

Conditions: glorious weather, and hardly anyone on the ascent, which is nothing short of a miracle for 16 August! Consequently, no unexpected rockfalls, perfect for safety.

Difficulty: nothing out of the ordinary for seasoned hikers. Still, there are tricky spots here and there simply because the rocks are too smooth and weathered, making them slippery. It’s manageable on the ascent but can be much trickier on the descent, particularly on the famous exposed summit ridge where an exposed section requires great vigilance to avoid disaster.

Finally, I recommend stopping off on the way back at the recently refurbished Gramusset refuge for a well-deserved break. It’s absolutely top-notch in every respect (modern, wide choice of drinks, tasty dishes, etc.). What’s more, they accept contactless payments!

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Other walks in the area

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The highest point in the Aravis range, Pointe Percée is a very popular summit. The route via the Cheminées de Sallanches proposed here is more technical and less frequented than others. The route and the view are magnificent!

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Two-day tour in the Aravis mountain range. Departure from the Col des Annes, passing by the Refuge de la Pointe Percée, then the Col des Verts. Bivouac at the Gouille des Fours, where ibex have made their home, with a magnificent view of Mont Blanc. Second day towards Lac de Tardevant via the Grande Forclaz and Ambrevetta, returning via alpine pastures to the Pointe des Annes.

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An easy ridge leads to the Refuge Gramusset, offering magnificent views of the valleys on the Grand Bornand and Reposoir sides, as well as the Aravis mountain range and Pointe Percée with its sharp limestone pavement.

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