Tête Rousse mountain hut from Bionnassay via the Nid d’Aigle

This hike takes you into the high mountains. The finish is the Tête Rousse mountain hut, one of the stages on the classic Mont Blanc route. Crampons are recommended for the final few metres (crossing the Tête Rousse Glacier).

Please note: This is a hike with a significant elevation gain, suitable only for experienced walkers who do not suffer from vertigo.

Details

n°39030207

Creation:
23 Aug 2023

Last update:
02 Sep 2023

Last review:
08 Jul 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.31 mi
Duration according to the author: 8 hrs
Difficulty: Very difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 5,997 ft
Descent: - 5,994 ft
Highest point: 10,384 ft
Lowest point: 4,596 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Mont-Blanc (Massif)
City: Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (74190|74170)
Start/End: N 45.868583° / E 6.761038°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3531ET, 3531ETR, 3630OT, 3630OTR
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Description of the walk

From Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, head towards the village of Bionnassay and then the Crozat car park.

(S/E) From the car park, head back down the path for about a hundred metres to the next junction with the Chemin de l’Are.

(1) Turn left towards the Refuge du Nid d’Aigle. Carry straight on at the first junction towards Le Planet. You’ll reach the chalets at Le Planet.

(2) Carry on straight ahead. After the hairpin bends, you’ll come to a junction.

(3) Take the path on your right until the next junction.

(4) Carry on straight ahead, towards the Refuge du Nid d’Aigle. Continue to the next crossroads, located after the Torrent de Bionnassay.

(5) Stay on the path that climbs. Reach the Refuge du Nid d’Aigle by turning right at the first junction.

(6) Continue straight on from the Mont-Blanc Tramway station until you reach a junction near it.

(7) Leave the path leading to the station and take the path on the right until you reach the crossroads at the foot of the Glacier de la Griaz, near the Baraque Forestière des Rognes.

(8) Continue along the path climbing up the ridge and do not take the path marked ‘Chemin des Rognes’. Carry on climbing until you reach the next glacier.

(9) You are now in front of the Tête Rousse Glacier. Cross it towards the mountain hut, which you can see on your right at the junction. Please note: It is strongly recommended that you wear crampons for this section. Continue to the mountain hut.

(10) Enjoy the view at an altitude of 3,167 metres! Turn back to the junction before the Torrent de Bionnassay.

(5) Continue along the path to the left of the torrent. You’ll come to a Fork in the road.

(11) Turn left towards the Passerelle de Bionnassay.

(12) Cross this footbridge to reach a Fork in the road at the Chemin de l’Ormey.

(13) Turn right onto this path and follow it down to a building.

(14) After the building, take the track on the right, cross the Torrent de Bionnassay and you’ll come to a Fork in the road on the Chemin du Chalere.

(15) Turn left until you reach the next junction at a place called La Maisonnette.

(16) Turn right onto the path which climbs gently towards the hamlet of Le Crozat.

(17) Walk through the hamlet, then head up to the right until you reach the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,639 ft - Le Crozat car park
1 : mi 0.06 - alt. 4,613 ft - Crossroads at the end of the circular loop
2 : mi 0.72 - alt. 5,056 ft - Le Planet
3 : mi 1.43 - alt. 5,784 ft - Crossroads
4 : mi 1.6 - alt. 5,833 ft - Junction, towards the Nid d’Aigle
5 : mi 1.81 - alt. 5,886 ft - Bionnassay Torrent. Common junction for out-and-back route
6 : mi 3.31 - alt. 7,917 ft - Refuge du Nid d'Aigle
7 : mi 3.43 - alt. 7,861 ft - Mont-Blanc Tramway station
8 : mi 4.25 - alt. 9,094 ft - Cabane des Rognes
9 : mi 4.8 - alt. 10,256 ft - Glacier de Tête Rousse
10 : mi 4.96 - alt. 10,384 ft - Refuge de Tête Rousse
11 : mi 8.36 - alt. 5,850 ft - Junction
12 : mi 8.61 - alt. 5,548 ft - Bionnassay footbridge - Glacier de Bionnassay
13 : mi 8.66 - alt. 5,643 ft - Chemin de l’Ormey
14 : mi 9.46 - alt. 4,698 ft - Junction after the building
15 : mi 9.73 - alt. 4,646 ft - Chemin du Chalere
16 : mi 9.85 - alt. 4,610 ft - La Maisonnette
17 : mi 10.19 - alt. 4,600 ft - Le Crozat
S/E : mi 10.31 - alt. 4,642 ft - Le Crozat car park

Notes

Toilets at the car park (S/E).

Worth a visit

During your walk, you’ll discover the magnificent Bionnassay Glacier, the Nid d’Aigle mountain hut and, finally, the Tête Rousse Glacier and its mountain hut.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

pseudotsuga

08 Jul 2025 at 11:07 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike completed on 1 July 2025 in ideal conditions: dry rocks and virtually no snowfields before arriving at the Tête Rousse refuge.
Breathtaking glacial landscape and view of the normal route up Mont Blanc with the tricky passage at the foot of the Goûter ridge.
We descended via the Dérochoir (delicate) and Mont Lachat to complete a loop: approximately 9 hours round trip with breaks.
Potentially very busy.

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jordanvelard

01 Nov 2024 at 21:57 3600

Thanks for your feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed the hike 👍🏻

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O.M

01 Nov 2024 at 20:30 3600 • Edited: 01 Nov 2024 at 20:31 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A brilliant hike, with stunning scenery, and the view of the Bionnassay Glacier as you reach Tête Rousse is just mind-blowing! No major difficulties; the ascent is manageable. It’s just the climb after the ‘Nid d’Aigle’ up to the Cabane des Rognes where the path isn’t easy to find. However, crampons are essential, both for crossing the Tête Rousse glacier (an easy crossing) and for the climb just before reaching the glacier (a bit of snow and plenty of sections that remain in the shade).
I did this on 1 November in perfect weather.
Be careful not to underestimate the time it takes. It took me 8 hours, taking it easy on the ascent and maintaining a good pace on the descent. 2 hours 30 minutes to Nid d’Aigle (listed as 3 hours 15 minutes from the car park!), then 2 hours 15 minutes to Tête Rousse. And the descent took 3 hours 15 minutes.

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Arnaud Cerise

15 Sep 2023 at 08:30 7200 • Edited: 15 Sep 2023 at 08:38 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk undertaken in early September 2023; not recommended for children; a 6-hour round trip for keen walkers, starting from the Crozat car park (the access road is very narrow), with technical sections (ladders) to reach the Refuge du Nid d’Aigle, a steep and continuous climb to the Baraque des Rognes, and a final ascent to the Refuge de la Tête Rousse (which is well worth the effort); the scenery is magnificent. You can eat at the refuge, which is run by a very friendly team. The descent follows the same route. Not suitable for all times of year.

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Author

jordanvelard
2 Walks

Visorando Member

City: Châteauneuf (42800)

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