Hike to Désert de Platé: Passage du Dérochoir, Col de la Portette & Cheminée des Miots
Last fall, I went on a hike to Désert de Platé, starting and ending in Passy.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):
In the morning, I took a train to Sallanches then boarded a LIHSA bus to Passy-Plaine-Joux. In the beginning, I walked on the GRP Tour du Pays du Mont Blanc until Ayères des Pierrières. In order to reach Désert de Platé, I then took a trail through Passage du Dérochoir: The last part goes through a cliff using ropes and metal chains and was quite tricky. Once at the Passage, there was a great view on the Désert, the Mont Blanc and the Vallée de l’Arve. I ate lunch then walked to Col de la Portette, below Pointe de Platé, and went down on the other side towards Refuge de Platé. For the last part, I took a trail through Cheminée des Miots in order to reach Praz-Coutant in Passy. From there, I boarded a LIHSA bus to Saint-Gervais then took a train back to Annecy.
Above, Sallanches train station in the morning.
Above, at Passy-Plaine-Joux.
Above, Rochers des Fiz.
Above, Mont Blanc seen from the takeoff area for paragliders.
Above, Pointe du Dérochoir and Passage du Dérochoir.
Above, on the path to Ayères des Pierrières.
Above, in Ayères des Pierrières.
Above, Le Marteau, in the Rochers des Fiz.
Above, trail to Passage du Dérochoir.
Above, Ayères des Pierrières.
Above, Pointe Noire de Pormenaz.
Above, path to Col d’Anterne and Refuge de Moëde-Anterne.
Above, Pointe du Dérochoir.
Above, Vallée de l’Arve.
Above, Mont Blanc.
Above, the cliff below Passage du Dérochoir.
Above, looking down.
Above, Le Marteau.
Above, Passy-Plaine-Joux.
Above, at the Passage du Dérochoir.
Above, Désert de Platé.
Above, Rochers des Fiz.
Above, Châteaux de Cran.
Above, limestone pavement, with the upper station of Téléphérique des Grandes Platières visible.
Above, Pointe du Dérochoir.
Above, Col de la Portette.
Above, Pointes d’Ayères.
Above, Le Brévent and Aiguille du Midi.
Above, on the way to Col de la Portette.
Above, looking back at Le Dérochoir.
Above, I followed the cairns to navigate that part.
Above, Pointe de Platé .
Above, Col de la Portette.
Above, at Col de la Portette, looking at the other side.
Above, Aiguille Verte.
Above, on the way to Refuge de Platé.
Above, chalets at the Refuge.
Above, Tête du Colonney.
Above, looking back at Col de la Portette.
Above, Pointe de Platé.
Above, Refuge de Platé.
Above, Autoroute du Mont Blanc.
Above, Cheminée des Miots.
Above, cliff of Cheminée des Miots.
