Vallon d'Ubine and Pointe de Lachau

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with a two-and-a-half-year-old child in a backpack. It had snowed in the previous days, but there were no problems until we reached the Lachau peak, although you need to be very careful from the Ubine pass onwards. There were no tracks apart from those of animals, which seem to use the path described. At Pointe de Lachau, the hike becomes more difficult with knee-deep snow and no markings, making it sometimes difficult to find the most appropriate path. Once on the right track between points 3 and 4, the end was very nice with a beautiful view of Lake Geneva, but we continued to walk in 50 cm of snow.
In conclusion, be well equipped. If there is snow at the bottom, there will be a lot at the top. Even with a child in a backpack, the hike is doable but not recommended if you are prone to vertigo or afraid of falling.
The hike took 3 hours and 40 minutes with a 15-minute break (if there is snow, allow more than 2 hours and 45 minutes).

This hike is well worth the detour and the effort, as the landscapes between the mountains and the lake are magnificent.

Thank you, Netra, for sharing this.

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Date of your route : Aug 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, with Pointe de Lachau as its highest point, offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks that are well worth the effort of climbing up there.

The route is accessible, even along the ridge section. Yes, it's a steep climb from the pass, but we've seen much worse in Queyras and Ecrins! The slope is steep on both sides, but again, there is no real risk of falling: we did it with 5- and 6-year-old children without any particular difficulty, provided you pay attention.

The route is a little difficult to follow in its final section (descent to Ubine) but there is no risk of getting lost as long as you have a reasonable sense of direction.

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Hello User 5443826, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed the hike despite the exposed section.

Regarding the exposed section, the description includes an explicit warning (paragraph 2): " Be careful of the escarpments on the right (east side)." I have highlighted this in bold. I have also added a specific warning in the practical information section.

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Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend explicitly mentioning the dangerous nature of the route in the description, emphasising its vertiginous nature, and also classifying it as difficult. Almost the entire climb to the peak follows a narrow path along the edge of a very steep slope, forming a precipice. Although there are no technical difficulties, the potential risk is high in the event of a misstep. This detracts from the enjoyment of the hike, which is otherwise very beautiful.

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Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is not as easy as it appears! The section after the Ubine Pass towards Pointe de Lachau is quite steep, with a large drop on the right and some very narrow sections of the trail. We missed the junction with the Lac des Fontaines trail, where the sign said to continue towards point 4 during the descent, and followed a trail that cut across the woods towards the finish. All roads lead to Rome.
However, in good weather, the scenery is magnificent and the route is worth the view! But don't go past the Col d'Ubine with children, as it's quite steep going up.

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Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The mark on the descent route does not correspond to any existing path.
Halfway down, take the path on the left that winds down a ridge running north-south towards the Ubine pass.

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Date of your route : Jul 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route was completed at a leisurely pace with a few stops, taking 2½ hours there and back from the Ubine chalets.
It is important to emphasise the need for extreme caution at certain points, particularly with children:
-on the way up, there are steep, exposed sections on the ridge leading from the Ubine pass to the Lachau peak.
-on the way back, there are steep, exposed sections on the descent from the south-east ridge.
When you leave the descent ridge and enter the forest, you come to a fork in the forest path. Contrary to what you might want to do, take the right-hand branch. The left-hand branch disappears into the meadow and the descent is less comfortable.
A beautiful circuit that can easily be combined with the Pointe d'Autigny in the afternoon, after a pleasant meal at the Ubine chalet.

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Be careful, because as stated in the description, the climb is steep from the pass to the summit, and the descent is also steep.
Personally, I find this climb a bit steep, and especially dangerous for children, as we are always on the ridge, and sometimes on a slope!

On the way back, machinery was used to collect water and fill a drinking trough for cows.
The path is difficult, and the end is a bit tricky. We couldn't follow the map or the description very well.

The landscape is beautiful as we climb to the top: we are surrounded by mountains.

We loved it!

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Date of your route : Jun 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hiking on trails, so no route planning required.
No particular difficulties except for a 20-metre stretch along the ridge, which may be daunting for inexperienced walkers.
However, avoid in wet weather (grassy slopes).

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Date of your route : Oct 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Warning! This hike is reserved for very experienced hikers who are not afraid of heights.

The description of the hike greatly minimises the vertiginous and exposed (i.e. dangerous) aspects of the route. The very steep climb from the Col d'Ubine to the Pointe de Lachaud is along the edge of a precipice. The descent from the Pointe de Lachaud towards the west is mostly along an extremely exposed and vertiginous ridge: this section requires intense concentration, as any misstep could be fatal. The path is well marked but sometimes slightly sloping, and low bushes hinder progress, making the descent even more difficult and impressive.

Thinking we were going on an easy hike, the dangerous nature of the route prevented us from enjoying the scenery and we were glad to be back down and alive!

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Hello Sarjan,

Thank you for your comments and feedback.

As for the signposting, or rather the lack thereof, it should be noted that neither the author of the hike (myself) nor Visorando are responsible for this.

For the rest, what improvements would you suggest to improve this description, which clearly deserves it? Thank you in advance.

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Date of your route : May 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

magnificent tower, a few snowy spots. Make sure you have good shoes with good grip, as it is still muddy and often slippery. Fantastic panoramic view. It's a change from the valley. Less crowded than the departures from the Chalets de Bise. Definitely worth discovering.

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