Tour of Mont Lachat

This hike alternates between two distinct parts: the first is marked by human traces, as it explores the Grand Bornand ski area on very "rolling" paths, while the second is very exotic, exploring the south-facing slope of Mont Lachat, facing Lac des Confins and the Aravis massif. The landscapes and profile of this hike thus offer two completely different worlds and breathtaking views of the Grand Bo Valley massifs (Pic du Jallouvre, Aiguille Verte, Pointe Blanche), then the Aravis mountain range (Pointe Percée, Confins, Danay) and, in the distance, Montagne des Auges. The ascent is very steady, which is particularly pleasant! Beautiful panoramas alternate between civilisation and the calm of the mountains!

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.89 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,742 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,732 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,761 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,672 ft

Description of the walk

Park at the Côte car park, near the Serpentine chairlift.

(S/E) Head towards Les Gettiers and Lac de la Cour via Chemin des Gettiers. Pass the "Les quatre maisons" signpost, then a hamlet of traditional houses: the ground floor is used for animals, with a drinking trough and access to the living area via a small staircase.

(1) Continue to follow the track. Pass under two chairlifts and cross the red "Stade Tessa Worley" ski run. Visually, the path will pass between the two mountains on the right. Continue along the track, leaving the ski run on your right, to reach a protected natural area called "Le Marais de la Cour".

(2) Pass close to the Marais de la Cour. Continue to reach a reservoir and go around it to join the Chemin du Lac on the right, which descends towards the departure point of three chairlifts: Terres Rouges, Lac de Tolas and Maroli.

(3) Take the wide path on the right that runs alongside the ski slope and reach the hamlet of Maroli d'en bas: two ski lifts.

(4) Continue along the track that turns sharply to the right and keep climbing. At the next intersection, stay on the track to the left, which winds upwards.

(5) Overlooking a new reservoir, stay on the same track and continue to the ridge. Turn left and then go straight on to reach the highest point of this hike at the arrival point of the Terres Rouges chairlift: orientation table and panoramic view.

(6) Retrace your steps and then take the path that descends to the left towards the Col des Annes. Be careful, as the descent here is steeper and rockier. Opposite, the Aravis mountain range rises majestically.

(7) Before reaching the houses and barns of Le Vacheret, turn right onto a path through a grassy meadow and climb slightly up to a small pass: at the same height on the left, there is a sign for a mountain bike trail.

(8) At the intersection, take the path that widens again on the left and begins the descent. Shortly afterwards, admire the view on the left of La Bombardellaz, the goat farm at Lac des Confins, and La Tête du Danay. On the right is the other side of Mont Lachat. You will reach a place called Le Crot, where the landscape is very bucolic with a river flowing through the mountain pastures.

(9) Take the path on the right towards Chinaillon, then pass in front of the Char house.

(10) At a place called La Grand Montagne, follow the path that climbs slightly to the right towards Chinaillon and Lac de la Cour. Pass Les Acrets and reach the Châtillon mountain pastures.

(11) Immediately afterwards, take the path on the left through the mountain pastures. Leave the climb to the Col du Châtillon (unless you want to shorten the hike by returning directly).

(12) At a place called Covaleux, turn onto the path that branches off to the right towards the Côte car park. You will quickly pass another house, then continue through the forest: the path is narrower, with roots, and more bucolic.

(13) Step over a fallen tree blocking the path (in 2025): it is on the left. Then continue downhill.

(14) At the "Sous les Arces" intersection, leave the path that climbs up to the right towards Roc des Arces and continue straight ahead, following the sign for "La Côte par le Bois de la Taverne". You will soon reach the Téléski des Arces ski lift and then take the path or track to the right of the ski slope. After a short distance, you will come to a wide forest track, which you should take to the right.

(15) Walk alongside the Gaec de la Taverne buildings, where the path narrows. Pass by the Télécabine du Rosay arrival point and between the houses and restaurants to reach the Côte car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,688 ft - Côte car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.42 - alt. 4,849 ft - Crossroads, straight ahead
  3. 2 : mi 0.95 - alt. 4,770 ft - Marais de la Cour
  4. 3 : mi 1.7 - alt. 4,672 ft - Chairlift departure point, on the right
  5. 4 : mi 2.56 - alt. 5,220 ft - Hamlet of Maroli d'en bas
  6. 5 : mi 3.3 - alt. 5,541 ft - Water reservoir
  7. 6 : mi 3.71 - alt. 5,761 ft - Orientation table, panoramic view
  8. 7 : mi 4.11 - alt. 5,322 ft - Place known as Le Vacheret
  9. 8 : mi 4.33 - alt. 5,387 ft - Arrival on a wide track.
  10. 9 : mi 4.57 - alt. 5,249 ft - Le Crot
  11. 10 : mi 5.49 - alt. 5,249 ft - La Grand Montagne, on the right
  12. 11 : mi 6.23 - alt. 5,499 ft - Châtillon mountain pastures
  13. 12 : mi 6.69 - alt. 4,984 ft - Covaleux
  14. 13 : mi 6.97 - alt. 5,007 ft - Fallen tree
  15. 14 : mi 7.17 - alt. 4,902 ft - Under the Arces
  16. 15 : mi 7.51 - alt. 4,879 ft - Gaec La Taverne
  17. S/E : mi 7.89 - alt. 4,695 ft - Côte car park

Notes

There are a few water sources along the way. As the route crosses the ski slopes, it is only accessible outside the winter season.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.