Hike to Pointe de Beauregard & Croix de Colomban

A few weeks after Tête du Danay, I went back to La Clusaz. This time, I hiked Pointe de Beauregard and kept walking until Thônes, passing by the Croix de Colomban on the way.

Here is a map of the path I took (download KML):

In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus from Annecy to La Clusaz. I walked to the trailhead nearby then took a trail through the “Frasse aux Femmes” at first but I joined with the standard trail soon after. It was mostly in the forest with the occasional pasture and chalet, as well as good viewpoints on the Aravis, still covered with snow. After a while, I reached the cable car station at the summit of Pointe de Beauregard. There was a great view, especially to the east: All the Aravis could be seen, as well as the village of La Clusaz below, the Tête du Danay and the Chaîne du Bargy. I ate lunch then walked across a plateau towards the Croix de Colomban. At the cross, there was also a good view, but to the west: La Tournette, Thônes, Dent du Cruet and Parmelan. I started on the way down towards Thônes. However, at some point, I ignored a direction sign, trusting my map (IGN) that also indicated an alternate path. Later, the path was blocked with “Keep out” signs, barb wire, locks and even an electrified fence… So instead, I had to walk off-trail for a bit by cutting through a flower field and a cattle enclosure in order to find the standard path. I reached Thônes with time to spare before the bus to go back to Annecy. While waiting, I visited Chapelle du Calvaire near the bus station.

Above, photo of Pointe de Beauregard taken near Lac des Confins.

Above, in the morning, near the bus station.

Above, snail.

Above, Pointe de Beauregard in view.

Above, Col des Aravis.

Above, Tête du Danay.

Above, Aravis and La Clusaz.

Above, Mont Lachat de Thônes.

Above, Mont Lachat de Châtillon.

Above, Pic de Jallouvre.

Above, Pointe de Beauregard.

Above, Mont Charvin.

Above, at the summit of Pointe de Beauregard.

Above, Aiguille du Calvaire.

Above, Pointe Percée, the highest peak in the Aravis.

Above, Chaîne du Bargy.

Above, cable car station.

Above, towards Entremont.

Above, Pointe de Merdassier.

Above, plateau.

Above, La Tournette.

Above, Croix de Colomban.

Above, Mont Lachat de Thônes.

Above, 3 Têtes des Bornes.

Above, Parmelan.

Above, Dent du Cruet and Pointe de Talamarche.

Above, on the way down.

Above, Chalet du Petit Novard.

Above, large anthill.

Above, at this point, I realised the path I wanted to take was blocked. I doubled back a little in order to walk through a field so I could reach the standard trail.

Above, off-trail, cutting through a flower field. Apparently, I was not the first one to go through there.

Above, in the cow enclosure.

Above, on the standard trail.

Above, in Thônes.

Above, Mont Lachat de Thônes.

Above, Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Above, Fier river.

Above, via ferrata.

Above, path to Chapelle du Calvaire.

Above, the chapel.

Above, Thônes bus station.