The Croix du Colomban from the Col de la Croix Fry

A very beautiful hike on snowshoes which takes you through completely wild areas covered in pure white snow.

Technical sheet

4098746
A Manigod walk posted on 04/02/16 by djhoward. Last update : 08/09/20
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.46 km
  • ◔
    Author’s time: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 329 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 326 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,731 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,473 m
  • ⚐
  • ⚐
    District: Manigod (74230)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.877098° / E 6.404717°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3430ET, 3430ETR, 3431OT, 3431OTR, 3531OT, 3531OTR

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Magnificent views of the Aravis mountains

Description

Start from the Col de la Croix Fry.

(S/E) From the pass, go west on the small road that snakes up and leave it on a hairpin bend to the right.

::1: At Verosset, turn right. At the last houses, climb up fully north. At spot height 1560m, go fully west on the slope. You go through a forest and then find yourself on a beautiful snow covered plain. Climb the slope in the direction of the ridges (northwest).

::2: Follow the ridge to the left (west-southwest), descending. At altitude 1680, turn right (north) and down to the intersection referred to as the Bassin de Colomban.

(3: Continue northwest and then west to reach the Croix de Colombant)4:: (a very beautiful viewing point).

Go back down on the same path, and a hundred meters before the (3), turn left and continue east-northeast to reach the Lachat chalet (5). Pass in front of the Oratoire Saint-Jacques (6) and bend around to the left.

After a crossroads (7), leave the marked paths and go northeast in the direction of a stele that you go around on the right. Go right (east, then southeast) and up to a small peak (8) at spot height 1637m. Go back down close to rest house (Les Matins Clairs).

Join a large marked trail for snowshoers and make a large arc around to the left. Walk past the woods to the right and then turn south. Pass the Rosières (9) to finish at the Col de la Croix Fry (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,473 m
  2. 1 : km 0.55 - alt. 1,516 m - Verosset
  3. 2 : km 2.47 - alt. 1,716 m - On the Fretes
  4. 3 : km 3.09 - alt. 1,681 m - Colomban
  5. 4 : km 3.49 - alt. 1,674 m - Croix du Colomban
  6. 5 : km 4.38 - alt. 1,609 m - Chalet du Lachat
  7. 6 : km 4.63 - alt. 1,591 m - Oratoire Saint Jacques
  8. 7 : km 5.16 - alt. 1,575 m - Intersection
  9. 8 : km 5.97 - alt. 1,619 m - Peak at spot height 1637m
  10. 9 : km 8.17 - alt. 1,502 m - The Rosières
  11. S/E : km 8.46 - alt. 1,474 m

Useful Information

I did this hike in winter in snowshoes.
Provisions for the day (snacks, drinks, warm clothing).
The hike isn't technically difficult but you do need to be relatively fit.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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