Mini Tour of the Dents Blanches
In 4 days
The Tour of the Dents Blanches is a rugged hike through wild countryside that should only be undertaken by experienced walkers who can navigate over difficult terrain. The more difficult sections are borderline mountaineering and the route should not be attempted early in the season, as persistent snowfields can make some passages dangerous.
The following description only covers the French part of the tour but, if you wish, you can continue the trail into Switzerland.
District: Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
Region: Grand-Massif
Road access and parking: Cluses - Les Allamands: 24 km
From Cluses, follow the D902 to Taninges. Go through Taninges, and then take the D907 through Samoëns. Follow the road towards Les Allamands. There are several parking spaces before and after Les Allamands.
Type of itinerary: (circuit, round trip): A to B
Best season: from spring to summer, when snow free
Waymarkers: GRP, Départemental waymarkers
Maps and guides: IGN Top 25 n° 3530 ET Samoëns Haut-Giffre
Refuge de Bostan-Tornay 1763 m
Tel: +33 4 50 90 10 94
Tel: +33 4 50 45 09 74
Tel: + 33 6 23 84 70 80
Refuge de la Vogealle 1901 m
Tel: +33 6 60 16 27 55
Tel: +33 4 50 89 77 59
Refuge de Folly 1574 m
Day 1: From Les Allamands (Samoëns) to the Refuge de Bostan-Tornay
Start height: 1096 m
Height difference: 766 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 2hrs 30min
Description:
From the final parking area after Les Allamands, turn right to follow the "Tour des Dents Blanches" local long-distance footpath (GRP). At the "Le Plan" crossroads, go straight on towards the Refuge de Bostan-Tornay. The track winds up in a series of switchbacks through forests, over alpine pastures and past the Chalets de Bostan. The trail climbs between the Dents d'Oddaz and the Avouille to the tiny plateau containing the Refuge de Bostan-Tornay.
A short stage that provides a good warm-up for the rest of the tour. Added extra: retrace your steps from the Refuge de Bostan-Tornay, and then bear right to head up to the Col de la Golèse (30 minutes from the hut), from where there is an unbeatable view of Les Terres Maudites, the Refuge de Golèse and the Giffre and Morzine Valleys. The Tête de Bostan can be reached from the Col in 2hrs 50min.
Highlight
Superb views of the Giffre Valley, the Pointe de la Golèse and the Chalets de Bottière. An amazing area of rocky boulders, grassy meadows and alpine flowers.
Day 2: Refuge de Bostan-Tornay to the Refuge de la Vogealle via the Col de Bostan.
Start height: 1763m
Highest point: 2638 m
Height difference: 875 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 5hrs 15min
Description:
From the Refuge de Bostan-Tornay, go up the barren slopes of the Combe des Verdets, staying to the left of the Lac de Verdets, to get to the Col de Bostan. Once at the Col de Bostan, there are two alternatives: either continue along the Swiss section of the Tour des Dents Blanches, or stay in France and follow the route described here to the Refuge de la Vogealle. From the Col, go over the Golette de l'Oule, and then the Pas du Taureau (in-situ chain as a hand line), via the Col du Taureau. Care required.
Follow a path on the right towards the Refuge de Folly. This takes you to a small plateau, from where you follow a grassy ridge along the Combe de Praz Riant to La Combe aux Puaires. Turn off the path to the Refuge de Folly and head towards the Refuge de la Vogealle via the right bank of the eponymous lake.
Some of the sections of this route are very steep and exposed, so a sure foot and good weather conditions are essential.
Highlight
A high-mountain atmosphere, sections of scrambling with in-situ hand lines, magnificent views: Cirque du Bout du Monde, Pointe Rousse, Lac de la Vogealle, Dents Blanches, Pointe de Bostan.
Day 3: Refuge de la Vogealle to the Refuge de Folly (1574 m).
Start height: 1901 m
Highest point: 2338 m
Height difference: 437 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 3hrs 30min
Description:
From the Refuge de la Vogealle, retrace your footsteps towards the lake. After a steeper section, take the path on the left, signposted "Refuge de Folly par le lac des Chambres", to the Pas de l'Ours. The path winds up past a waterfall to the Vallon de la Vogeallette and then to the Vallon des Chambres (snow throughout the year). Just before the lake, bear right to follow the path (with in-situ hand line) that climbs above the ice and the turquoise waters. After a small plateau the path heads steeply down and crosses Les Eaux Froides. A final scree chute and a grassy slope lead to the Refuge de Folly.
This stage can be quite difficult due to the exposed and technical section through the Pas de l'Ours (slippery rocks), and the permanent snowfields of the Combe des Chambes. Many hikers will find walking poles useful.
Highlight:
Grandiose scenery with colours ranging from the dark grey of the rocks to the turquoise of the mountain lakes. A high mountain atmosphere for this penultimate stage.
Jour 4: Refuge de Folly to Les Allamands
Start height: 1574 m
Highest point: 1574m
Height difference: 241 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 2hrs
Description:
From the Refuge de Folly, leave the Tête du Fer à Cheval behind you and go down through the forest. Cross the Pont des Barmes over the Landes Rau stream. At the crossroads, take the track on the right to the Dalle du Tuet (rock climbing), and then follow a path (cable hand line) across the steep slopes. The angle eases as you reach the hamlet of Le Crêt and the car park.
As elsewhere on this tour, this leg crosses some very steep ground equipped with cable hand lines. This route is very slippery when wet. Take care.
Highlight:
This mini tour of the Dents Blanches provides a total immersion in a wild, unspoilt and truly spectacular mountain range.
