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Col des Annes to Pointe Percee

Our Rating

8

Very Good

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Trail Length

Length

9.48km

Trail Elevation

Elevation + / -

1038m / 1038m

Trail Altitude Range

Altitude Range

1723m / 2750m

When to go on this trail

When to go

End Jun - End Sep

Trail Hiking Time

Hike duration

4.0 - 8.0 Hours

Trail Running Time

Run duration

3.0 - 5.0 Hours

Trail Technical Difficulty Level

Technical level

Very Difficult

Natural Beauty of this Trail

Natural beauty

Very Nice

Family Friendliness of this Trail

Families

15+ Years old

Dogs Allowed on this Trail

Dogs

No Dogs

Provision Sources on this Trail

Provision Sources

1 Refuge

Trail Type

Trail type

Point to point

The Pointe Percee is a rocky peak sticking out from the Chaine des Aravis above Sallanches. There is a sign on the highway from Chamonix in the direction of Geneva that you pass by that points out the Pointe Percee and that is how I got curious. This route approaches the Pointe Percee from the west. This does require you to drive all the way to Col des Annes in the valley of Le Grand Bornand. It is quite an effort and at some point I will explore the approach from the Sallanches side of the cliffs starting at the Refuge de Doran. The big advantage of the route I took is the spectacular views I had into the valley below the Chaine de Aravis. The pictures speak for themselves! 


The trail itself is absolutely grueling. The track is super steep, super rocky and covered in lose scree. In my research I found that many website will recommend bringing a climbing helmet just in case there is a rock fall. I think you should heed that advice when taking on this route. After slugging your way up the rocky paths you will finally be rewarded with a very impressive 360 degree view all around the Pointe Percee. There is a big cross on the summit too. After summitting you make your way back using the exact same route.

Video of this Trail

We have made a video presentation for this trail. The video will provide full 3D fly over of the route and then give a great overview of the experience you can expect when you take on this trail. It is a great way to quickly understand if this is the perfect trail for you. Please visit our channel on  YouTube and like the video and subscribe to our channel. Putting together these videos is a lot of work!

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Photos of this Trail

Below are all the photos we have in our Chamonix Photos collection for this point of interest. All our photos are tagged with the GPS coordinates and linked to the trails that you can take to find the location where the photo was taken. So if  you want to see the full details for a specific photo then just click on it.

Trail Directions & Safety Considerations

Risk Considerations for this Trail

Risk Considerations & Difficulty Assessment

This route reaches an altitude of 2750m at the Pointe Percee summit. The route is very difficult with a lot of lose scree rock and big boulders. The best time to go would be late June to late September but you need to check conditions before heading out. Your best source of information is most likely the Refuge de la Pointe Percee - Gramusset. The trail from your starting point at Col des Annes to the starting point of the steep climb up after the Refuge de la Pointe Percee is easy to navigate. Your main waypoints being Tete des Annes, Col de l'Oulettaz and the Refuge de la Pointe Percee. From the Refuge there are two main trails. I took the one on the left going straight to the Pointe Percee peak. This route is considered the "Normal Route". The climb looks very daunting and it can feel like there is no real trail. Keep following the painted dots and other markers and it will start making sense and you will reach the summit. The trail up to the Pointe Percee is steep rock and lose scree. A helmet and gloves are typically recommended and I agree with that recommendation. Especially when there are other people doing the same route then there is large change that they will send some stones flying. You will be using your hands quite frequently so the gloves prevents cuts and scrapes. This trail in my opinion is about as rough as it comes.

Family Friendliness of this Trail

Children

15+ Years old

Are dogs allowed on this trail

Dogs

The route is too steep and too technical. You cannot bring a dog up here.

Trail Starting Point

Trail Starting Point

The trail starts at the Col des Annes in the valley of Le Grand Bornand. I dont see any other reasonable way of getting there without your own car

Trail Directions

Trail Directions

This route is short but it will take you a long time. It starts of pretty easy and from Col des Annes you will make your way to the Tete des Annes. From there you make your way to the Col de l'Oulettaz. From there follow the signs for the Refuge de la Pointe Percee Gramusset. At the refuge you should take a little break and a snack and prepare for some of the roughest climbing you are likely to do this holiday! The trail to left side is referred to as the "Normal Route" and its the one I used to get to the summit. The trail is steep and rocky and full of scree. Its going to be slow going. Keep going and you will reach the top. Getting back will simply be a matter of doing the same route in reverse.

Points of Interest

Our hiking and trail running trails around Chamonix are chosen for their natural beauty and variety. We also always try to combine as many sights, attractions and points of interests as possible in our trails. Below you will find a list of the points of interests linked to this trail.

Pointe Percee

Summit

9

Exceptional

The highest point of the Chaine des Aravis above Sallanches

Full Description

Nearest Town

Sallanches

Altitude

2750m

Refuge de la Pointe Percee

Refuge

8

Very Good

Mountain Refuge near the Pointe Percee, an iconic rock summit on the Chaine des Aravis

Full Description

Nearest Town

Sallanches

Altitude

2164m

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