Tête de Charousse and Crête du Velan

An ascent to a pass, a ridge walk facing the imposing Cornettes de Bise massif, and a descent through pastures. A beautiful setting and superb views. A fairly short hike, recommended for a beautiful autumn day.

N.B. Route within a protected natural area: see recommendations in the practical information section.

Details

86568
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.71 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

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

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,077 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,498 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Starting point and access:
From Vacheresse, follow the road towards Bise/Ubine then Bise. Traffic is prohibited shortly before the Bise chalets: park in the car park on the side of the road.

Where it exists, the signage is sparse. Directional signs are posted at major intersections.

Without markings

(S/E) Continue along the road towards the chalets and cross the old car park.

Red and white markings

(2) Near a concrete bridge over a river, a sign indicates the Col de Bise at 1 hour 25 minutes (generous estimate). Follow the direction indicated: do not cross the river, but take a wide path that goes around a small promontory on the right. You will arrive at a flat area where you must cross a stream.

(2) At the fork, take the path on the right, which climbs directly up through the pastures towards Col de Bise. The climb becomes steep and the path winds several times. Go around a hill covered with spruce trees on the right (elevation 1757). The pass is now clearly visible to the north. The path continues northwards and, after a few short, steep hairpin bends, reaches the Col de Bise.

No markings

N.B. From Col de Bise to Dent du Velan, the path is mostly on the ridge line, or slightly below. The route is exposed but safe and requires a minimum of attention.

(3) At the pass, follow a trail that heads southwest towards the Col d'Ugeon. Climb up and quickly reach the Tête de Charousse, the western peak of the ridge.

(4) Descend on the other side and then climb back up. Continue along the ridge to its eastern summit, which is unnamed on IGN maps (elevation 2,091 metres). The trail then descends to the base of the Dent du Velan, a small, distinctive limestone tower.

(5) Go around Dent du Velan on the right (southeast). You will reach the top of a small rocky couloir, which you must enter: the descent requires using your hands for support (good handholds). At the bottom of this couloir, do not take the stony path that descends to the right, but climb back up a few metres over the scree, again using your hands for support. This leads to a path that continues along the ridge. You will soon come to a fork: on the left, a faint path climbs up the ridge; on the right, a well-marked path leads down the hillside. Take the path on the right, which is pleasant to walk along and quickly leads to the Col d'Ugeon.

(6) Then follow the path heading south-west towards the Chalets de Bise. The descent begins with a moderate slope. Pass a pond on your right, then follow a stream on your right (Ruisseau de Bise on the IGN map). The slope becomes steeper and the path winds several times before reaching a flat area (post with yellow arrows). Pass a pond on the left and arrive at the edge of a large clearing with spruce trees.

(7) Walk along the clearing on your right and squeeze through the shrubs. Once you leave this area, the Chalets de Bise are clearly visible. The path then descends more steeply through the pastures. As you approach the chalets, cross a stream coming from the left (sign with yellow arrows). Then quickly reach the first chalets, pass the refuge and cross the river.

(2) Cross the old car park and continue along the road to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,498 m - Bise car park
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 1,501 m - Chalets de Bise
  3. 2 : km 0.98 - alt. 1,556 m - Col de Floray fork - Col de Bise
  4. 3 : km 2.17 - alt. 1,908 m - Col de Bise - View of the - Lac Léman
  5. 4 : km 2.56 - alt. 1,990 m - Tête de Charousse
  6. 5 : km 3.57 - alt. 2,052 m - Dent du Velan
  7. 6 : km 4.05 - alt. 2,020 m - Col d'Ugeon
  8. 7 : km 5.53 - alt. 1,710 m - Edge of an erosion notch
  9. S/E : km 6.71 - alt. 1,498 m - Bise car park

Notes

Hiking boots required.

In summer, at the Chalets de Bise: water, food, CAF refuge. In winter, and until April, the road leading to the Chalets de Bise is closed.

Detailed map required (at least the one accompanying this description).

Variation:
In the last section on the ridge, the detour around the Dent du Velan (5) includes a passage that requires a few steps of rock climbing. Although this passage is not difficult, those who do not wish to attempt it can still follow the ridge to its eastern summit (elevation 2091), or simply to the Tête de Charousse, then turn back and descend by the same route as the ascent: the hike will be no less beautiful.

Additional information:
This hike can be combined with another hike described on Visorando, "Lac de Darbon". To do so, follow this other hike to its point (7), the Col de Bise. Then follow this hike from its point (3). For the whole hike, allow for an elevation gain of around 800m and 4 hours 15 minutes of walking.

Recommendations:
The Bise and Ugeon mountain pastures are grazed by herds: dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
This route crosses the Cornettes de Bise nature reserve. The following are prohibited: picking and gathering plants; leaving any waste behind; motor vehicles; campfires; wild camping and bivouacking.
See detailed regulations: Biotope Protection (APPB) - Pays d'Evian Vallée d'Abondance

Hike completed by the author on 31 October 2014.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Superb view, very close, of the Cornettes de Bise. Beautiful panoramas stretching to Mont Blanc in the south, the Swiss Alps in the east and Pic de Drystone Shelter, Novel and Lake Geneva in the north.

The Bise massif is home to numerous herds of ibex: they are frequently encountered at the Col de Bise and on the ridge.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
AurélieArnaudrando
AurélieArnaudrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with no particular difficulties, except for a very short section around the Dent de Velan, which requires a little care for a few steps but is not dangerous.
On the ridges, we were lucky enough to see lots of ibex.

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Maurice mendelsberg
Maurice mendelsberg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a beautiful hike. Crossing the ridges is a bit dizzying but not technically difficult, and the short passage under the Dent de Velant is fairly easy.
The area around the Chalet de Bise is magnificent
The arrival at the pass with the view of Lake Darbon and Lake Geneva in the background is worth the detour alone

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oberried
oberried

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, particularly the section between the Col de Bise and Col d'Ugeon passes, which runs along the ridges offering splendid views of Lake Geneva and the Cornettes de Bise and takes you past the foot of the Dent du Vélan, a magnificent limestone peak standing on the ridge. There is an abundance of flowers on the slopes flanking the ridge path. The descent, which is very short, down a small rocky corridor at Dent du Vélan, is not particularly difficult but does require caution. Upon arrival at Col d'Ugeon, you will be greeted by a vast bowl-shaped meadow, the ideal place to take a short break.

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Becool94
Becool94

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

End of the hike from Col de Bise coming from Lac Darbon (I highly recommend combining the two, as it offers a variety of breathtaking views). Please note that for those prone to vertigo, the path to Dent du Velan can be quite daunting.

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familykolo
familykolo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike along the ridge with stunning panoramic views of the Alps. The information provided
for the base of the Dent du Verlan was accurate and invaluable for crossing this passage
Thank you

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les4roux
les4roux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike with spectacular scenery. We encountered several ibex after the Col de la Bise, heading towards Lake Darbon.
Be careful, the descent after Lac Darbon, on the way back, is very steep at the start. It can be dangerous for people who are not sure-footed on steep trails.
We were a group of 16 people, some experienced in the mountains and others less so. Everyone was dazzled by the beauty of the landscape.

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Netra
Netra ★

Hello jeffscubadoo,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions for additions!

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jeffscubadoo
jeffscubadoo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike lasting around four hours. There is a short section under the Pointe du Velan that requires you to use your hands and take a little care. I would not recommend this hike after rainy weather as the rocks are likely to be slippery. Once you have crossed the Col de Pavis, you can descend to the Chalets de Neuteu, which are magnificent and offer superb views of Lake Geneva. Then climb back up to the Col de Bises.
This should add about 45 minutes to an hour to the hike, at a leisurely pace.

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