Hike in Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron
Last summer, I went on a hike in Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron, near Le Brévent above Chamonix.
Here is a map of the path I walked:
- Download path KML
- Download large map
- More photos on Flickr
- Day of the hike: August 9, 2022
In the morning, I took the train to Chamonix, then boarded Télécabine de Planpraz and Téléphérique du Brévent in order to get to Le Brévent. I made a detour to the summit then started on the path down to Col de Bellachat. I had already walked part of that trail a few years ago when I had been to Lac du Brévent and Aiguillette des Houches. At the Col, I entered Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron and walked a steep trail in order to reach the ridge. After that, I passed through Pointe de Lapaz on the way to Aiguillette des Houches. There was a great view on Mont Blanc along the way. I then walked north on a path along Frêtes de la Vogealle but soon started off-trail towards Lac de l’Aiguillette (which was not visible at that point). I arrived at a location above the lake: There was a faint trail down and I followed it. The path continued towards Chalets de Carlaveyron, which are now in ruins (there was a camper trailer however…). I lost the path when I arrived near a marsh. I wanted to go towards Lac du Brévent and continued off-trail on the way up. I stumbled on a faint trail again. At some point, I reach a small lake with a dam. The trail continued towards the ravine formed by the outflow of Lac du Brévent then went up to the lake. I went around the lake and reached Creux aux Marmottes, a place with a small lake. Finally, I walked up off-trail in order in order to get back to Le Brévent then took the cable car down to Chamonix.
▲ Arve in Chamonix.
▲ At Planpraz, walking to the lower station of Téléphérique du Brévent.
▲ Le Brévent.
▲ View of Planpraz from Le Brévent.
▲ Chamonix.
▲ Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron. Lac du Brévent is visible.
▲ Mont Blanc.
▲ Summit of Le Brévent.
▲ Aiguille Rouges.
▲ Path to Planpraz.
▲ Lac de l’Aiguillette.
▲ The ridge I will walk later.
▲ Lac du Brévent.
▲ I will pass through there on the way up.
▲ On the path to Col de Bellachat.
▲ Désert de Platé.
▲ Le Brévent.
▲ Torrent de la Creuse.
▲ Entrance of Tunnel du Mont Blanc.
▲ The tip of Glacier des Bossons.
▲ Col de Bellachat.
▲ Marsh at Col de Bellachat.
▲ On the way up to the ridge.
▲ On the ridge.
▲ Sheep grazing.
▲ Le Brévent.
▲ Mont Buet.
▲ Pointe de Lapaz.
▲ Le Prarion.
▲ Désert d’Arlevé.
▲ Marsh in Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron.
▲ Pointe Noire de Pormenaz.
▲ Barrage des Houches on the Arve.
▲ Mont Joly.
▲ Aiguille Verte.
▲ Mont Blanc du Tacul.
▲ Aiguillette des Houches.
▲ Aiguilles Rouges.
▲ Aiguille du Pouce.
▲ Cairn at the summit of Aiguillette des Houches.
▲ Tête du Colonney.
▲ Frêtes de la Vogealle.
▲ Pointe de Platé.
▲ Looking back at the ridge I was on.
▲ Walking off-trail.
▲ Lac de l’Aiguillette.
▲ Outflow of Lac de l’Aiguillette. The path followed its course towards Chalets de Carlaveyron.
▲ I will pass through there on the way up to Le Brévent.
▲ Ruins of Chalets de Carlaveyron and camper trailer.
▲ Other ruins.
▲ Marsh.
▲ I walked up off-trail.
▲ Ruins of Chalets de Carlaveyron.
▲ Small lake with a dam. There are a few other dammed lakes in the same area, linked by man-made canals. I have no idea what their purpose is.
▲ Barrage de la Bajulaz on the Diosaz river.
▲ Frêtes de Villy.
▲ Ravine formed by the ouflow of Lac du Brévent.
▲ On the way to Lac du Brévent.
▲ Another dam and marshy area. I went around it.
▲ Lac du Brévent.
▲ Le Brévent.
▲ Creux aux Marmottes.
▲ I started walking up from there. It was not very difficult but a bit slow-going.
▲ Lac du Creux aux Marmottes.
▲ Lac du Brévent.
▲ Mont Blanc.
▲ Dammed lake.
▲ Pointe de Lapaz.
▲ Pointe Noire de Pormenaz.
▲ Lac de l’Aiguillette.
▲ Summit of Le Brévent.
▲ Mont Maudit.
▲ Aiguilles Rouges.
▲ Mont Buet.
▲ Chalets de Carlaveyron.
▲ Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron.
▲ Pointe d’Anterne.
▲ Le Brévent.
▲ Tête de Moëde.
▲ Back on a trail.
▲ I made another detour through the summit of Le Brévent before going down.
▲ Téléphérique du Brévent,
▲ Télécabine de Planpraz.
▲ Aboard the gondola.
▲ In Chamonix.
▲ Mont Blanc Express at the Chamonix train station.