Rochebrune and Alpette circular from Leutaz

This is a lovely circular in the mountain pastures above Megève with superb forest passages and magnificent views of the Mont Blanc range on arrival at Rochebrune.

Details

39633510
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 581 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 579 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,890 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,316 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park in the village of Leutaz.

(S/E) Take the track that climbs towards the restaurants and Alpette. Continue to the start of the path towards Rochebrune at the Fontanettes crossroads.

(1) Take the path on the left, passing in front of the Ferme des Fontanettes. You will arrive at the lower station of the Alpette chairlift. Continue along the winding path to reach the Maison Forestière.

(2) Turn left and continue climbing. Shortly afterwards, you will arrive at Rochebrune, a large ski lift site. Take the opportunity to admire the view of Mont Blanc.

(3) Turn right to continue the climb, quickly reaching a crossroads with a path.

(4) Take the path on the right, running parallel to the ski run. Further on, pass under the chairlift and follow a left-hand bend to reach the Alpette restaurant.

(5) Turn right back onto the track, then turn left to reach the upper station of the Jardin chairlift.

(6) Continue to the top station of the Petite Fontaine chairlift, where there is also a picnic area. Continue for a few dozen metres to reach the Sur les Prés chalet crossroads.

(7) Turn right and quickly enter the woods: be careful on this section as there are many roots on the path. Descend and follow a few switchbacks to reach Les Chambrettes.

(8) Take the path that winds down through the woods. When you come out of the woods, you will reach the Parrin chalets.

(9) Turn right and follow the right bank of the Cassioz stream. Continue along a wider track to return to the initial crossroads at Les Fontanettes.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the Leutaz car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,317 m - Leutaz car park
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 1,360 m - Fontanettes
  3. 2 : km 1.84 - alt. 1,632 m - Forest House
  4. 3 : km 2.77 - alt. 1,752 m - Rochebrune
  5. 4 : km 3.22 - alt. 1,757 m - Trail fork
  6. 5 : km 4.19 - alt. 1,864 m - L'Alpette
  7. 6 : km 4.56 - alt. 1,890 m - Jardin chairlift
  8. 7 : km 5.19 - alt. 1,857 m - On the Meadows
  9. 8 : km 6.25 - alt. 1,610 m - Les Chambrettes
  10. 9 : km 6.81 - alt. 1,408 m - Parrin
  11. S/E : km 7.84 - alt. 1,318 m - Leutaz car park

Notes

There are no water points along the route.
The climb to Rochebrune is very interesting. Avoid the tracks as much as possible.
The descent into the forest is quite steep and strewn with roots on the ground. You will need to remain alert.
There are lots of cows in the mountain pastures, which are always a pleasure to encounter.

Worth a visit

(S/E) If the restaurants are open, you can enjoy a nice beer or other drink with a crêpe or other snack when you arrive.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
patrick55
patrick55

I am delighted that you enjoyed this hike so much. Next year, in September 2026, my club will be hiking for a week in this area. Of course, this hike will be part of my programme. Thank you for your comments.

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Zoltic
Zoltic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route offers excellent value for effort.

I did it when there was snow on the peaks. Magnificent! Apart from the last 100 metres of elevation gain, the rest was sheltered from the wind (and probably from the sun in summer). Two mountain restaurants are the only places to get water. They are closed at this time of year.

The winter storage of the signs had already begun, and those on the slopes had been removed. The turn at point 7 in particular was difficult to find, especially as the path is very poorly marked at this point.

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User 9320071

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike starting from Megève.
Magnificent panoramic views (especially) at Rochebrune
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alpine pastures, forests, meadows, beautiful chalets, a river, cows, horses... It's all there.
However, there is quite a climb and it's seriously steep!😬

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Lolo 38
Lolo 38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb up and descent are a little steep and slippery on the way back, so it might be better to do it the other way round. Beautiful arrival at the top with breathtaking views

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codulac
codulac

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

forests, ridges and peaks, fields, panoramic views, cows, a lake, peace and space: 5 stars, thanks to the contributor. An easy route, but you need to be comfortable with heights
We did it in reverse; we avoided Le Guet (one of us was afraid of heights), which is very easy. The forest provided wonderful protection from the heatwave (90% of the route was covered)
But... 13 km on the clock and not 8 🤪: bring more water!

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philippe basty
philippe basty

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Same comment as last year: a beautiful route, not very busy from the Leutaz car park to Rochebrune.
More people further on, and always surrounded by people who don't say hello
Thanks to the author for this beautiful hike.

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patrick55
patrick55

Hello, the years go by and they are all the same. I am posting exactly the same comment as last year at the same time, with intense heat in Allauch (a village near Marseille).
Glad you enjoyed the hike. It's very hot here in the south at the moment. I'd love to do that hike again for the cool air and mountain scenery.

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Blp69
Blp69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful little hike in the cool air of the Megeve mountain pastures. The end of the route is a bit steeper and can be slippery.

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Yrabour
Yrabour

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, superb views of the Mont Blanc range. The descent from Sur les Près is quite steep and can pose some problems in wet conditions.

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Stef4425
Stef4425
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike, done with the family. The climb is quite tough, but the views at the top are superb!

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philippe basty
philippe basty

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with beautiful scenery and unobstructed views of Mont Blanc.
The return trip through the forest is very easy despite the stumps and roots.
Suitable for children, even if there is a bit of a climb up to Alpette.
Thanks to the author of this hike.

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patrick55
patrick55

I'm glad you enjoyed the hike. It's very hot here in the south at the moment. I won't be going to Megève this year, otherwise I would have done this hike again to enjoy the cool weather and mountain scenery.

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NicoSud
NicoSud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I only use the map to follow the route and, as with all routes, there are no problems and it is very easy.
Beautiful views, especially of Mont Blanc. Peaceful natural surroundings and few people. Highly recommended.

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Sixmeiko
Sixmeiko

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike. We encountered very few people outside of the section between Rochebrune and Sur les Prés.
Very pleasant and varied landscapes, with a special mention for the wildlife on Mont Blanc.

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patrick55
patrick55

I am delighted to read that you enjoyed the hike.
👍👍

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