Hike to Pointe de la Croix
- Level orange - quite hard
Departure/Arrival
Point of interest
Presentation
Superb hike to the Pointe de la Croix. On the program: superb views of Roc d'Enfer, Mont Blanc, Dents du Midi, Cornettes de Bise, Mont de Grange, Dent d'Oche, Pic de la Corne...
It's a summit that has to be earned. The climb from La Chaux is steep. The route takes you on a loop that crosses 3 key axes: la Chaux, la Pointe de la Croix and the Col de l'Ecuelle. The views are well worth the trip to the top. From the Pointe de Cercle (Pointe de la Croix's little sister), you'll overlook the Abondance valley, with views stretching as far as Lake Geneva to the north and the Dents du Midi to the east. The route is not particularly technically demanding, nor is it dangerous, but you'll need good legs. You will reach a ridge from the Pointe de Cercle, though the path is well away from the cliff, so it's best to avoid getting too close.
If you like to take your time, consider the route over the course of the day: set off in the late morning to arrive at lunchtime at La Chaux (one hour from the start). Enjoy your picnic in the sunshine with a superb view over the Vallée d'Aulps, with Mont Blanc and the Roc d'Enfer in the background. Take your time and head off in the direction of Pointe de la Croix. Here, you'll enjoy some of the best views of the entire route. After a well-deserved break (a little more shade this time), head back down to the Col de l'Ecuelle and then to the parking lot. Along the way, you'll see some charming chalets, full of authenticity.
Topo step by step :
1/ Start from the "Onchets" parking lot, at the junction of the route de la Villaz and the route de Bellecombe.
2/ Follow the road up to a sign on the left for "les Mellies". Then take the forest track which climbs up.
3/ At the intersection, continue straight on towards "Damoz des Prés".)
4/ You've reached La Chaux, and the panorama is yours to enjoy. A picnic table is at your disposal.
5/ Continue up a steep forest track. It's a fairly strenuous but safe climb, so don't get discouraged.
6/ Finally, we reach a flat area (with a passable path), at a place called "Bois de l'Arête". If you're tired and don't feel like going all the way up, you can take the carriage road towards the Col de l'Ecuelle, which will make the loop easier. In this case, follow the topo from point 11.
7/ From the Bois de l'Arête, take the narrow, stony path up behind the signpost to the Pointe de Cercle. It's a tough climb up through the forest, but the path widens as you go.
8/ After a while, you'll come to an intersection with the carriage road which continues to the left, while a track rises to the right. Take the path that rises to the right.
9/ Once you've reached the Pointe de Cercle, continue along the ridge towards the Col de l'Ecuelle.
10/ You'll then reach the Pointe de la Croix (with a Jesus cross to indicate the summit), where you'll enjoy the best view of the route. Continue from the Col de l'Ecuelle.
11/ Once you've reached the Col de l'Ecuelle, take the carriage road down towards La Villaz. Don't take the carriage road halfway up, which takes you back to Bois de l'Arête. The "Col de l'Ecuelle" signpost, a little way off the path, points in the right direction.
12/ Once you've reached La Villaz, continue downhill towards Saint-Jean-d'Aulps. The parking lot is only 10 minutes down the road.
If you like to take your time, consider the route over the course of the day: set off in the late morning to arrive at lunchtime at La Chaux (one hour from the start). Enjoy your picnic in the sunshine with a superb view over the Vallée d'Aulps, with Mont Blanc and the Roc d'Enfer in the background. Take your time and head off in the direction of Pointe de la Croix. Here, you'll enjoy some of the best views of the entire route. After a well-deserved break (a little more shade this time), head back down to the Col de l'Ecuelle and then to the parking lot. Along the way, you'll see some charming chalets, full of authenticity.
Topo step by step :
1/ Start from the "Onchets" parking lot, at the junction of the route de la Villaz and the route de Bellecombe.
2/ Follow the road up to a sign on the left for "les Mellies". Then take the forest track which climbs up.
3/ At the intersection, continue straight on towards "Damoz des Prés".)
4/ You've reached La Chaux, and the panorama is yours to enjoy. A picnic table is at your disposal.
5/ Continue up a steep forest track. It's a fairly strenuous but safe climb, so don't get discouraged.
6/ Finally, we reach a flat area (with a passable path), at a place called "Bois de l'Arête". If you're tired and don't feel like going all the way up, you can take the carriage road towards the Col de l'Ecuelle, which will make the loop easier. In this case, follow the topo from point 11.
7/ From the Bois de l'Arête, take the narrow, stony path up behind the signpost to the Pointe de Cercle. It's a tough climb up through the forest, but the path widens as you go.
8/ After a while, you'll come to an intersection with the carriage road which continues to the left, while a track rises to the right. Take the path that rises to the right.
9/ Once you've reached the Pointe de Cercle, continue along the ridge towards the Col de l'Ecuelle.
10/ You'll then reach the Pointe de la Croix (with a Jesus cross to indicate the summit), where you'll enjoy the best view of the route. Continue from the Col de l'Ecuelle.
11/ Once you've reached the Col de l'Ecuelle, take the carriage road down towards La Villaz. Don't take the carriage road halfway up, which takes you back to Bois de l'Arête. The "Col de l'Ecuelle" signpost, a little way off the path, points in the right direction.
12/ Once you've reached La Villaz, continue downhill towards Saint-Jean-d'Aulps. The parking lot is only 10 minutes down the road.
- Informations Itinéraire :
- 9 km
- 792 m de dénivelé
- 245 minutes
