Pointes de Chavasse and Chalune traverse

Departure from the Pierres Rouges car park (ski lift) below the Col de la Ramaz (west side). The ascent can be made:

• either via Taninges: take the Route des Gets and turn left towards the Praz-de-Lys resort, cross the resort to reach the Col de la Ramaz and descend 300 m;
• or via St Jeoire or Mieussy, climbing via Saint Denis and following the signs for the Sommand resort; continue on the CD 308 to the foot of the Col de la Ramaz.

(S/E) Start by descending 500 m on the D308 towards the north-west to the hamlet of Ramaz.

(1) Turn right onto a pastoral track that climbs northwards, passing Les Chalets des Têtes and Les Chalets du Coin to the last chalets below the Col de Chavan.

(2) Leave the marked trail and turn right onto a grassy track that passes under a rocky area, then climbs straight up the mountain pasture towards the ridge, at the notch marked 1745 m.

(3) Take a path on the right that more or less follows the ridge towards the east: it passes a little on the southern slope, but keep to the highest path each time to return to the ridge, ignoring the tracks that lead off into the slopes. This brings you to the foot of the cliffs.

(4) The ascent couloir is just opposite: enter it via a short traverse and climb up, following the path as best you can when it is clearly marked. It winds around a few bends that are easier than the direct ascent, particularly around a small ledge in the central section. It is never really exposed, but it is often open: slipping is not an option! The top of the couloir widens and leads to the ridge and the normal path, which you follow to the right to the summit of Pointe de Chavasse.

(5) Descend via the path on the east face, which leads to a rock that you go around on the right: there are then two possible routes, either skirting the foot of the rock or zigzagging towards a grassier area. The two routes meet at a threshold from where the Col de Vésinaz is easily reached by heading left.

(6) Leave the marked paths leading to the pass and take the path opposite, which follows the ridge and climbs up through grass and short rocky sections. Halfway up the slope, leave the marked path to the Col de Chalune on your right and stay on the ridge path, which climbs, goes around a steeper section on the left, then climbs towards the grassy ridge, which it follows to the left towards the summit of Pointe de Chalune, reached after an ascending traverse on the south-east slope.

(7) Descend via the main path heading due east, then turn right towards Col de Chalune.

(8) Continue straight ahead, then turn right to descend south-west into the mountain pasture to the upper junction at Chalet Blanc.

(9) Continue descending south to the junction with the pastoral road leading to the Chalet Blanc.

(10) Take this road to the right, which descends, then continues on flat ground, with a few small climbs to bring you back to the starting car park (S/E).

The route is only partially marked, but generally follows a well-marked trail, except for the ascent of the Couloir Ouest de Chavasse, where the trail is more faint and should be considered off-trail.

Directional signs are present at the various passes and main crossroads.

There are no particular difficulties on most of the route; only the ascent of the Couloir Ouest de Chavasse warrants the rating of Very Difficult. The ascent to Pointe de Chalune has a few sections where you need to use your hands, but these are very short and never really exposed.

The view of the entire Northern Alps (Chablais, Mont Blanc, Aravis, etc.) and part of the Swiss Alps is continuous once you reach the ridge: from the Col de Chavan (3) to the Col de Chalune (8).

The mountain pastures are used during the season, with cows or sometimes sheep. Please respect the fences and watch out for any sheepdogs.