Roc des Tours - Aiguille Verte

A hike in the heart of the Aravis is always a peaceful and relaxing experience thanks to the harmony of the landscapes. However, the trails can sometimes be steep.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.38 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 794 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 786 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,041 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,356 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park on the Samance road, limited space.

(S/E) Start climbing up the track on the left. Pass a building and you will reach the first intersection.

(1) Leave the track for the path that branches off to the left, pass near an orientation table and arrive at a track (fence to cross).

(2) Turn right into the mountain pasture, climbing slightly at first, then go around a rocky outcrop on the left. Cross a stream and reach an intersection.

(3) Continue climbing up the path on the left: it is markedGR®GRP® Massif de Tournette Aravis. Reach an unnamed pass at 1,881 metres.

(4) Take the path on the left towards Roc des Tours. This path crosses an area of sharp limestone pavement, and the route is marked with red paint on the rocks. Reach the summit (cross).

(5) Return to the unnamed pass.

(4) Climb the Aiguille Verte, starting north from the pass. The slope is steep, but a sign indicates that it takes 15 minutes to reach the summit (2045m) and its panoramic view.

(6) Descend to the previous crossroads.

(4) Follow the same route back to the Gaudinière crossroads.

(2) Turn right to visit the old village of La Gaudinière.

(7) Turn back to return to the crossroads.

(2) Turn right and follow the outward route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,356 m - Car park at the side of the road in Samance
  2. 1 : km 0.22 - alt. 1,393 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.18 - alt. 1,529 m - Gaudinière crossroads
  4. 3 : km 1.74 - alt. 1,577 m - Intersection; link with GR and GRP
  5. 4 : km 3.12 - alt. 1,883 m - Unnamed pass
  6. 5 : km 3.88 - alt. 1,993 m - Roc des Tours
  7. 6 : km 5.15 - alt. 2,041 m - Aiguille Verte
  8. 7 : km 7.89 - alt. 1,553 m - Old village of La Gaudinière
  9. S/E : km 9.38 - alt. 1,356 m - Car park at the side of the road in Samance

Notes

At Chinaillon, heading towards Col de la Colombière, turn left to reach the start.
Samance - roadside car park. Leave access to the chalets free.

Worth a visit

Reblochon cheese is sold in an alpine chalet near the route between (1) and (2).

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
stme10496
stme10496

TO DO IN GOOD WEATHER IS A GOOD IDEA parish specific to Brittany

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User 14346660

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

View of Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and Lake Lessy.
Superb!

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stme10496
stme10496

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

TO DO IN GOOD WEATHER IS A GOOD IDEA

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Cindy hike
Cindy hike

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting hike with diverse landscapes, mountain pastures, sharp limestone pavement, lakes, and cows and goats.
If you want peace and quiet, I recommend setting off early as it gets quite busy. We left around 9-9.30am and there were few people until Roc des Tours, but many more at Aiguille Verte.
The climb to the Aiguille Verte is quite steep and challenging in direct sunlight, but otherwise there are no particular difficulties.
We continued the hike to Lake Lessy and then descended via the second trail, which was steep enough that we didn't have to retrace our steps, bringing the total distance to 14 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain.

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Le bois dormant
Le bois dormant

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very varied route, but quite busy for early July outside the school holidays. But very nice, starting around 9am, we saw cows, goats and, best of all, a marmot and some ibex.

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BoBdeBordeaux
BoBdeBordeaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a superb view once you reach the summit! However, be careful about the time of year you plan to do this hike. In early May, a large part of the hike is in the snow. It is entirely feasible without any special equipment, but it is important to know this because it was more difficult to find our way in these conditions. This hike is a must, the scenery is magnificent!

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike through alpine pastures and sharp limestone pavement. Two peaks with 360° views
Sharing the narrow summit of the Aiguille Verte with a herd of goats was quite an experience

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bernard.cornu
bernard.cornu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with no difficulty whatsoever. Magnificent view from the summit of the Aiguille Verte with Lake Lessy below

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cpnolimit
cpnolimit

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike with no particular difficulty and magnificent views.

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edelbea
edelbea

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with magnificent scenery. The view of Mont Blanc behind Pointe Percée is truly stunning. The climb to Aiguille Verte is very busy, so you can't stay long at the summit as there isn't much space and you have to make room for those arriving. Roc des Tours is less crowded and there is more space at the summit!

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PatGilles34
PatGilles34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike. Splendid views at both ascents. We were also able to see the Mont Blanc massif despite some fog. No particular difficulties. It took us 6 hours, including breaks, a picnic, and taking our time to enjoy the exceptional panorama. Thank you to the author.

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RayLau
RayLau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really nice hike... just before the second lockdown.
The view is exceptional (the weather was beautiful that Sunday in October)... which is why there were quite a few people there!

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