Tour of the two peaks of Oche from Novel

Park in a fairly large car park located after the hamlet of La Planche, at the end of the road that climbs from Novel (end of authorised traffic; signpost "La Planche à Brousoz, altitude 1205 m"). Access from Saint-Gingolph (French-Swiss border).

Directional signs are present at all major intersections.

Yellow arrow signposts + red and white markings (GR® Balcon du Léman)

(S/E) From the signpost, follow the direction of Col de Neuvaz (indicated at 1 hour 55 minutes, generous estimate... allow 1 hour 30 minutes without stops), i.e. continue on the road you arrived on, which quickly becomes a forest track. At the first fork, take the right-hand track. Cross a stream and take a sharp right turn. Follow the track, known locally as Route de la Planche, and ignore a turn-off on the right and then a turn-off on the left (ignore the yellow sign).

(1) Take a hairpin bend to the left (rock on the outside edge). The track, now called Route de Neuvaz, then heads west. Several signs indicate that you are on a private road and that traffic is prohibited, but this only applies to motor vehicles. Ignore several turnings on the left and follow the signs for Col de Neuvaz. You will reach the Neuvaz chalet below.

(2) The track then becomes very steep and makes a wide right turn to go around a kind of grassy peak. At the top of the steep slope, the track turns left and the slope becomes gentler. Continue west-southwest on the alpine track, with the Col de Neuvaz clearly visible opposite. Ignore an old track on the left and you will soon reach another intersection.

(3) Take a hairpin turn to the left with the track (ignore a path on the right). Pass the middle Chalet de Neuvaz, then cross a few wet passages. After a few hairpin bends, at a fork (rock with old signposts), turn right. You will very quickly reach the Col de Neuvaz, which is accessed via a chicane in a fence.

(4) Turn left towards the Col de Rebollion. Ignore a trail on the right and take two wooden footbridges to avoid wet sections. Descend slightly, take a passage through a fence, then climb back up. Head southwest and approach the north face of the Dent d'Oche. This will take you to the Col de Rebollion.

(5) Turn left, ignore a path on the left shortly afterwards and descend to the foot of the rocky outcrops of the Dent d'Oche. Make a hairpin turn to the right and descend through the mountain pastures to reach the Chalets d'Oche.

(6) Turn left towards the Col de Planchamp and Lac de la Case. At a fork, bear right towards Lac de la Case. Take a series of right-left turns, pass a small sinkhole and reach Lac de la Case.

(7) Go around the lake, which is covered with vegetation, on the left. At the next signpost, continue straight ahead towards Portes d'Oche. Climb steadily up the rocky slopes on the left, then over the scree to reach the pass.

Yellow signposts + red and white markings (GR®5 Thonon variant)

(8) Turn left and cross the scree with Lac de Darbon below on your right.

(9) At a three-way junction, turn left (ignore the path descending to the right towards the lake). You will quickly reach the Col de Pavis, the highest point of this circuit.

(10) Descend gently east-northeast. Ignore a path on the right towards the Col de Bise and quickly reach the next intersection.

Yellow signposts + red and white markings (GR®5)

(11) Continue straight ahead, leaving Lac de Neuteu below on your right. Pass the Chalets de Neuteu and continue east-northeast. Go around a rocky outcrop on the right and descend in tight switchbacks.

(12) At the next fork, turn right. Enter the forest and continue downhill. Leave the forest, turn left, follow the bed of a stream on your right (potentially dry in summer) and you will soon reach a crossroads.

Yellow signposts + blue markings + red and white markings (GR®5)

(13) Continue straight ahead (do not cross the stream) and re-enter the forest. Ignore a path on the left.

(14) At the next intersection, follow a gravel track to the right and cross a meadow until you reach a signpost. Then turn left and re-enter the forest. Cross a stream and you will find yourself on the other side at the La Planche à Brousoz car park (S/E).

Hiking boots and equipment are required.

Resources along the way:
- Water points: Neuvaz dessous chalet (2); Neuvaz du milieu chalet, shortly after (3); Oche chalets (6); Neuteu chalets, between (12) and (13). These water points are operational in summer but it is best not to rely on them out of season.
- Refreshments and snacks are available at the Neuvaz dessous chalet (2) (open in summer only). Farmhouse cheeses are sold at the chalets in Oche (6).
- In the village of Novel (downstream from the car park (S/E)), just below the church, there is a bar-restaurant-stopover lodge called Les Chemins du Léman. Open between Easter and All Saints' Day, depending on snow conditions.

The mountain pastures are used by herds: dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

A detailed map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).
N.B. Throughout the area, the place name "Neuvaz" is written with a z, but it is written without a z on the IGN map (because the z is not pronounced). The local spelling, with a z, has been used here.

- From Novel (S/E) to Col de Neuvaz (4), beautiful views of the peaks of the Taney region (Switzerland) and the two peaks of Oche.
- From Col de Nuevaz (4) to Col de Rebollion (5), view of Lake Geneva and close view of the north face of Dent d'Oche.
- Beautiful route between the chalets of Oche (6) and the Portes d'Oche (8).
- Lakes Darbon and Neuteu, between (8) and (13).