—-

Hike to Pointe d'Orsière

In the summer of 2021, I went on a hike to Pointe d’Orsière, starting from Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin and ending in Manigod.

Here is a map of the path I walked:

In the morning, I took a Car Région bus to Thônes then switched to a CCVT summer shuttle to Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin. I starting walking from there towards Sur le Freu, below La Tulle. I then walked a trail in the pasture to La Riondaz and Pointe d’Orsière. There was a great view from the summit, especially on the Aravis. I started on the way down towards the Fier river then took a path to Cascade de Burgeat. However, I took a wrong fork so I couldn’t see it in the end (I went back in 2022). I realised at that point I was possibly going to be late for the last bus from Manigod. So I hurried but I took a wrong path again so that there was no way I was going to be in Manigod in time. After getting back to a known path, I ended up walking along the paved road to the village, while watching a rainstorm approaching. I had to stay the night outside in Manigod until the rain stopped and walked to Thônes in the morning, in order to take the bus back to Annecy.

▲ At Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin, looking towards Mont Charvin and the Aravis.

▲ Crossing the Chaise river. It flows into the Arly river in Ugine.

▲ Chaise.

▲ Montagne de Sulens.

▲ Looking back towards the village of Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin.

▲ Col de l’Épine and Bauges in the background.

▲ Chalet du Bétex.

▲ Mont Charvin.

▲ Abondance cows on the path.

▲ Below La Tulle. I climbed it in 2023.

▲ La Riondaz.

▲ Dirt road towards Chalet du Freu.

▲ Montagne de Sulens.

▲ Exit of Passage du Freu.

▲ Aiguille de Manigod and Pointe de la Mandallaz.

▲ Towards the source of the Fier river. Mont Charvin is on the right.

▲ View from La Riondaz.

▲ Pointe d’Orsière seen from La Riondaz.

▲ Mont Téret.

▲ Aiguille de Manigod.

▲ Below the summit of Pointe d’Orsière, looking towards Mont Charvin.

▲ Summit of Pointe d’Orsière.

▲ Pointe de Merdassier and L’Étale.

▲ Aravis.

▲ Mont Charvin.

▲ Towards the village of Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin.

▲ On the way down, looking towards Manigod.

▲ Col de Merdassier on the left.

▲ Pointe d’Orsière seen from near Col de Merdassier.

▲ Montagne de Sulens.

▲ Pointe de Merdassier.

▲ L’Étale.

▲ War memorial.

▲ Steep trail.

▲ Fier.

▲ On the way to Cascade de Burgeat but I took a wrong fork at some point then I realised I was going to be late for the bus so didn’t try the other fork.

▲ Towards Combe de la Blonnière.

▲ Broken bridge on Nant de Sulens. There is a new bridge on a trail that forked a little before, but I missed that.

▲ Fier river. I took a wrong fork again and walked a small trail along the Fier. It led nowhere but I kept at it. I arrived at a dead end. Since I was late, instead of doubling back, I climbed up in order to get back to the trail on the map.

▲ Manigod.

▲ Fier river.

▲ Pont des Choseaux across Nant Bruyant.

▲ A storm is coming.

▲ Rainstorm. I had missed the last bus and I couldn’t walk to Thônes and a hotel because of the rain. So I took shelter in the village for the night while waiting for the rain to stop. The temperature had dropped quite a bit, so it was very uncomfortable.

▲ In early morning, I walked the road to Thônes and arrived for sunrise.