Tour of the Haute Pointe

Access by car: On the road to Col de la Ramaz, in Sommand, drive past the Hôtel-Restaurant Les Roches 1500 and head towards the cross-country skiing centre to park on the large open area.

(S/E) Join the D308, follow it carefully to the right for about a hundred metres, then turn onto the small road on the left. At the first junction, ignore the dead-end on the left and continue along the track on the right until you reach the next

(1) Take the path on the left and follow it to the Col de Cordon.

(2) Continue downhill, straight ahead, until you reach a track.

(3) Turn right towards the Col de Chavannais. Pass two chalets and arrive at a bend in the track, taking a 90° left-hand turn.

(4) Leave the track, continue along the path opposite and reach the ridge.

(5) Turn right towards Col de Chavannais and head towards it.

(6) Leave the Col de Chavan path on your right and continue straight ahead towards Chalet de Chavan. The descent begins on a scree slope, then continues down into the valley until you reach a fork.

(7) Carry on to the right and reach the Col de Chavan.

(8) Ignore the path on the right leading to the Haute Pointe and head down the slope opposite (south), towards the Chalet du Coin.

(9) At the chalets, you’ll come out onto a track; follow it downwards (south-east). Pass the Ferme du Coin and continue down the track until you reach the tarmac road (D308).

(10) Cross carefully and take the small road leading down opposite. Pass the Ramaz chalets, then the Farquet chalets, and arrive at the base of the Col de Sommand chairlift. Continue along the track to the left and head for the Sommand cross-country skiing centre (S/E).

Equipment: Good walking shoes and walking poles.

Signposting: This walk presents no difficulty in finding your way, thanks to the numerous signposts. Yellow and red markings between (5) and (6), then between (7) and (8). Yellow markings between (6) and (7). Information on the markings is available on the French Hiking Federation’s website (https://www.ffrandonnee.fr/randonner/sen...).

Difficulty: A mountain walking route with no major technical difficulties, which may correspond to level 3 on the scale established by the French Hiking Federation
(https://www.ffrandonnee.fr/Media/Default...).
This walk passes through pastureland on several occasions. Please ensure you do not disturb the herds or the sheepdogs. Please ensure you follow the advice given on the information boards.

(S/E) Hôtel Restaurant Spa Les Roches 1500 (https://www.lesroches1500.com/), just a few metres from the start point and close to the cross-country skiing centre.

(8) From the Col de Vésinaz, you can climb the Haute Pointe by following hiking route no. 66181662, a return walk between the (4) and the (5) points on this route.

(9) GAEC le Coin (https://www.facebook.com/p/GAEC-le-coin-...), direct sales of alpine meat.

Our hikes wouldn’t be nearly as rewarding without the contribution of the people who live in and look after the mountains. But they need us too – please do support local businesses!