Tré-les-Eaux - Col de la Terrasse - Loriaz

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with varied landscapes and atmospheres – a real treat! The route is difficult but very doable in a day without much training. But be careful: the route is very tricky and even dangerous in several places. Point number 5 in particular, at the chains and then the handrail, is really difficult – it's climbing! The descent into the scree after the Col de la Terrasse is also difficult and laborious. Don't do this with children, make sure you're in good shape and don't set off too late or with too much luggage if possible, and in my opinion, don't do it in the other direction, as the section with the chains and handrail is really dangerous.
I was told that at the start of the descent from the col de la terrasse, you can see real dinosaur footprints embedded in the rock face! Look it up on the internet and you might be lucky enough to see them... Just so you know
And note: starting from the Montets campsite, the loop is 20 km long

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Date of your route : Jul 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from Couteray, and the route is very well marked. Walking time: 6 hours. We left at 7am and didn't meet many people until we reached the Col du Corbeau, except for two marmots that surprised us on our way. The walk is very beautiful on the Très les Eaux side, but less pleasant on the descent from the Col de la Terrasse (scree). Amande to be redone.

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Date of your route : Jul 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wild and long climb, but gradual
Delicate descent from the Col de la Terrasse
From the Loriaz chalets, take the shaded path rather than the unpleasant main track
7.5 hours, easy

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I did the hike but in the other direction, which was easier and had more scenery.

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Date of your route : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 23/08/2020.
A few comments:
I am familiar with this magnificent route, but had never started from the Bérard waterfall (but via the Loriaz trail and then Les Granges). The cable-assisted passage through the cliff was a wonderful discovery!
- Be careful, after (9), the red markings continue on the right side of the stream that descends from the pass (i.e. the left bank of the stream), and hikers above me led me onto this trail, which climbs up to the Col des Corbeaux. I therefore missed the yellow markings that climb up to the left of this stream and on the other side of the large moraine that borders it. The enlarged map shows the start of this path, which is clearly marked/cairned all the way to the top and becomes very steep as it crosses the stream 150 metres before the pass. It's an interesting alternative, as the moraine is quite monotonous if I remember correctly. I'm posting a few additional photos.

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Date of your route : Aug 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed on 23 July 2018. Several very tricky or dangerous sections, including climbing and large patches of persistent snow (but mostly flat and safe). The descent from the Col de la Terrasse to the Loriaz chalets is perilous. The ground is covered with sand or stones that are unstable and cause your feet to slip. Just below the Col de la Terrasse, the route is marked to the right, which then requires you to descend the very steep snowfield. It is better to descend straight down the scree to reach the snowfield where it is flat. If you go straight ahead, you will find some very old, faded red markings. This is a long and tiring hike (it took us 8½ hours, including breaks), but it is magnificent, especially with the snow around the lakes. To see the lakes, with the exception of the green lake, which is unmissable, you often have to leave the path and head to the right: a 1:25,000 map or a GPS with the Visorando GPX track will help you find them.

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Date of your route : Oct 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The route can be difficult to follow between points 5 and 6 in the rocks. If you are unsure (near the EDF warning sign), it is important to keep the stream on your left. I was lucky enough to walk past a mountain goat that was napping near the Loriaz chalets.

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Date of your route : Sep 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, challenging hike. Don't hesitate to take a 15-minute detour from the Col de la Terrasse to the Pointe de la Terrasse (2,734 m), which offers a more complete view of the Mont Blanc massif.

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Date of your route : Nov 16, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike with very wild scenery and very few people at this time of year. The second part of the trail is marked by cairns. Check the route carefully with Visorando before setting off (satellite images are useful for seeing the trail).

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Date of your route : Nov 17, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

How lucky to be able to go hiking on such a beautiful day in November. At this time of year, it's important to check the snow depth at altitude and take the orientation into account. If there is still snow on the descent side at Loriaz, be careful as the start is quite steep and therefore slippery. In any case, yesterday, despite a little snow at the top on the flat, the slopes were dry. Departure at 8 a.m., arrival at 2.30 p.m.

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