Summit of Montagne de Sulens via Plan des Mouilles and Col de la Botte

From Manigod, head towards Les Choseaux, then on to Praz Riand, passing the hamlet of Le Torchon. The tarmac road continues as a stony track. Park in the small car park before La Combe, which can accommodate around three cars.

(S/E) Take the track to the right, heading south-east. Cross the bridge over the Nans de Sulens and reach the “Les Charrettes” chalet: marker 1,250 m.

(1) Continue along the track on the right, towards La Combe and Pointe d’Orsière. You’ll reach the junction where the “La Combe” marker stands.

(2) Continue the ascent along the track on the right, facing the chalet. Pass a ‘Les Cernets’ electricity substation, go past the access path to a chalet on your right and stay on the track.

(3) At the junction, take the path that climbs to the right towards the Bois Noir mountain pasture.

(4) Go past it, keeping to the right, then take the lower path which branches off to the left, heading due south, and which leads out onto the wide meadow.

(5) Head right-hand side as far as you can, towards the chalet, which stands high up. Pass it and continue along the path until you reach a wide, stony track.

(6) Follow this track downhill, pass the communal alpine farm “Les Vouatais”, and reach the next junction.

(7) Carry on straight ahead until you reach the hairpin bend.

(8) Take the path on the right, towards the Col de la Botte. At Crêt Vermant, go round the first farm on the left, then a second, larger one, at a place called Les Pézières.

(9) About a hundred metres further on, follow the path branching off to the right, towards the Col de la Botte and the Praz D’Zeures mountain hut. Continue to the Col de la Botte.

(10) Take a path on the right, which continues as a very steep climb towards the summit of Sulens. The path is poorly marked here. Pass in front of a house, go through two adjacent, parallel fences and continue the climb across a mountain pasture. About 250 m further on, head slightly to the left and then, very quickly, take a small, steep path branching off to the right.

(11) Cross an exposed section by following the ledge-like path for about 200 m. After this section, the path turns right onto the ridge. The slope becomes steeper as you approach the Tête Jaune or Petit Sulens.

(12) Continue along the ridge, pass the Col du Sulens, and carry on straight ahead to reach the summit of the Sulens and its two orientation tables: take care, as there are some dizzying sections.

(13) From the summit of Sulens, continue along the ridge to reach the Croix du Sulens.

(14) Begin the descent along a narrow, stony and steep path known as the Chemin du Facteur. You’ll come out onto a track: signposted.

(15) Take this track to the left until you reach the next junction.

(16) Turn right at the hairpin bend towards the Bois Noir d’en Bas mountain chalet.

(17) Once you reach it, take a path on the left, the entrance to which is flanked by two trees. This path is well marked at the start but becomes less clearly signposted further on: the landmark to aim for is a small chalet at Pré Blanc. The GPX track will be very useful on this section.

(18) Cross the Nant de Sulens via a small, hand-built bridge. Continue along a path through the woodland until you reach the original track.

(2) Take the track to the left, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, to return to the car park (S/E).

Alternative route: continue along the wide track to the next junction towards l’Arbarête. At the junction, take the track on the right which climbs up to the Bois Noir alpine farm at (4).

(1) Water at the Chalet des Charettes: marker 1245 m.

Just before the (8): picnic table.

Viewpoint from the summit of Montagne de Sulens. Exceptional view of Mont Charvin, then on the other side, of the Tournette des Aravis massif.