Hard Hikes in Haute-Savoie, Switzerland and Italy

Hard
Becca Pouegnenta via Lago d’Arpy and Lago di Pietra Rossa
Becca Pouegnenta, nestling in the heart of the Aosta Valley, is a must-see hiking destination for nature lovers and mountain enthusiasts. Although relatively unknown, this summit offers
Hard
Lac du Fond
Lac du Fond is one of Valgrisenche's hidden gems. It certainly has to be earned, but the effort involved is well worth it. The path is quite steep and shady at first The path is quite steep and shady at first, but then reveals torrents and waterfalls at every bend. The route then continues over a large, gently
Hard
Chalets de Sales, Col de la Portette, and Dérochoir
Located in the heart of the Fiz Massif between the Désert de Platé to the west and the Rocher des Fiz dominating Lac d’Anterne to the east, Chalets de Sales, set in the plain of the Grand Pré, constitute a tiny haven of tranquility that will delight the hiker
Hard
Lake Licony and Col de Licony
Located in the Val d'Aosta near Courmayeur, Lake Licony is one of the largest natural lakes in the region. Nestling in a basin, the changing colours in the sunlight transform Lake Licony into a veritable jewel. The route I propose continues to the Col de Licony,
Hard
Croix de la Frête
Croix de la Frête is a summit (actually, a shoulder of Montagne de Commune) in the Haut-Giffre massif. Although it is much less well-known than Mont Buet or Cheval Blanc, which are situated further up the mountain, Croix de la Frête is still an interesting itinerary because of the panoramic views
Hard
Pointe de Merdassier
Pointe de Merdassier is a summit located in the Aravis massif offering a 360° panorama on a large number of massifs, notably the Mont Charvin. The only access path to the summit of Pointe de Merdassier is very steep, perhaps the steepest I have encountered in many years
Hard
Mont Vorassay
Mount Vorassay (2287 m altitude) is a privileged observation point for a large number of prestigious and emblematic summits of Haute-Savoie. The circuit I propose below describes a loop in which the first part of the ascent is done in forest and undergrowth
Hard
Lac de Lovenex
The objective of this hike is to discover Lac Lovenex nestled in a very wild setting in the middle of a combe bounded by the Grande Miette and the Mont Valeur. This Franco-Swiss hike will take us to Pas de Lovenex, the highest point of the itinerary, in order to discover the Lac de Lovenex from

Hard hikes (850 to 1500 m of elevation gain, 3 to 4 hours of walking, 10 to 20 km round-trip) in Haute-Savoie, Switzerland and Italy.

Becca Pouegnenta via Lago d’Arpy and Lago di Pietra Rossa

11 August 2024 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Becca Pouegnenta, nestling in the heart of the Aosta Valley, is a must-see hiking destination for nature lovers and mountain enthusiasts. Although relatively unknown, this summit offers

Lac du Fond is one of Valgrisenche's hidden gems. It certainly has to be earned, but the effort involved is well worth it. The path is quite steep and shady at first The path is quite steep and shady at first, but then reveals torrents and waterfalls at every bend. The route then continues over a large, gently

Hard

Chalets de Sales, Col de la Portette, and Dérochoir

14 August 2023 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Located in the heart of the Fiz Massif between the Désert de Platé to the west and the Rocher des Fiz dominating Lac d’Anterne to the east, Chalets de Sales, set in the plain of the Grand Pré, constitute a tiny haven of tranquility that will delight the hiker

Hard

Lake Licony and Col de Licony

11 August 2023 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Located in the Val d'Aosta near Courmayeur, Lake Licony is one of the largest natural lakes in the region. Nestling in a basin, the changing colours in the sunlight transform Lake Licony into a veritable jewel. The route I propose continues to the Col de Licony,

Hard

Croix de la Frête

10 July 2023 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Croix de la Frête is a summit (actually, a shoulder of Montagne de Commune) in the Haut-Giffre massif. Although it is much less well-known than Mont Buet or Cheval Blanc, which are situated further up the mountain, Croix de la Frête is still an interesting itinerary because of the panoramic views

Hard

Pointe de Merdassier

24 August 2022 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Pointe de Merdassier is a summit located in the Aravis massif offering a 360° panorama on a large number of massifs, notably the Mont Charvin. The only access path to the summit of Pointe de Merdassier is very steep, perhaps the steepest I have encountered in many years

Hard

Mont Vorassay

5 June 2022 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Mount Vorassay (2287 m altitude) is a privileged observation point for a large number of prestigious and emblematic summits of Haute-Savoie. The circuit I propose below describes a loop in which the first part of the ascent is done in forest and undergrowth

Hard

Lac de Lovenex

3 June 2022 | by Pierre-Alexandre

The objective of this hike is to discover Lac Lovenex nestled in a very wild setting in the middle of a combe bounded by the Grande Miette and the Mont Valeur. This Franco-Swiss hike will take us to Pas de Lovenex, the highest point of the itinerary, in order to discover the Lac de Lovenex from

Hard

Pointe Noire de Pormenaz

12 September 2021 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Pointe Noire de Pormenaz is a summit of the Giffre massif overlooking Lac de Pormenaz situated below on its north-eastern flank. Located in a dominant position in relation to the Diosaz valley, Pointe Noire de Pormenaz remains a must-see in Haute-Savoie

Hard

Lac de la Persévérance

28 August 2021 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Nestled at the foot of the Aiguilles Rouges, the Lac de la Persévérance is a curiosity that will leave beautiful memories for the hiker. Less frequented than the popular Lac Blanc below, the Lac de la Persévérance is nonetheless a choice destination thanks to the setting it offers