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Mont Buet via Tre les Eaux Loop

Our Rating

10

The Best

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Trail Length

Length

22.3km

Trail Elevation

Elevation + / -

2103m / 2103m

Trail Altitude Range

Altitude Range

1335m / 3098m

When to go on this trail

When to go

Mid Jul - End Sep

Trail Hiking Time

Hike duration

8.0 - 13.0 Hours

Trail Running Time

Run duration

5.0 - 8.0 Hours

Trail Technical Difficulty Level

Technical level

Very Difficult

Natural Beauty of this Trail

Natural beauty

Incredible

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, 1 Snack Bar

Trail Type

Trail type

Loop

The summit of Mont Buet sits at an altitude of 3098 meters, making it the highest peak near Chamonix outside those that are part of the Mont Blanc Massif. The views from the summit are spectacular and provide wide vistas in all directions and into distant lands. There are a couple of options for reaching the summit of Mont Buet. The "standard route" goes through the Berard valley and climbs up to Mont Buet from its south-facing slope. After reaching the summit you then return the same way. We prefer the northern approach from Cheval Blanc which then enables us to make this into a loop by ascending from the north side and descending via the south face and returning via the Berard valley. We already have a detailed trail description for the trail to Mont Buet that passes by the Refuge de Loriaz and the Col de la Terrasse.  The version we present here follows largely that same route but comes up to the Col des Corbeux via de gorgeous Tre-les-Eaux valley. The one down-side of both routes is that you will have to tackle some pretty technical terrain with big drops. If you have a fear of heights then the traditional route from Berard is probably a better option for you.


The trail starts at the Le Buet parking. Easily reached by private vehicle or by train or bus. From there we go to the hamlet of Le Lay and enter the valley of Tre-les-Eaux. The imposing ridge line that runs from the Cheval Blanc to the summit of Mont Buet will be towering high above us all the way. You will probably be having mixed feelings realizing that you will be having to climb all the way up to this towering ridge line but you will also be excited about the views that await you there. The climb out of the Tre-les-Eaux valley to the Col des Corbeux is beautiful. Don't forget to look behind you every now and then. From Col des Corbeux you will make your way to the Cheval Blanc which from a distance will look a lot further away and more daunting than it will prove to actually be. Having said that, the actual climb up to Cheval Blanc is quite steep and there will be red ropes in the more technical sections. The views from Cheval Blanc are incredible. The slightly downhill smooth ridge line from Cheval Blanc will be a welcome change from the climb you just did. You will now continue along this ridge line all the way until you reach the summit of Mont Buet. Some of the sections here will be quite harrowing with big drops and lots of ropes and metal supports.  The views and the pictures you will be taking will be spectacular though. The summit of Buet itself has an orientation table and its a great location to spend some time to admire the many, many peaks around you. Including great views of Mont Blanc from a distance where you can finally appreciate that it really is much taller than all the other peaks. From the summit you will descend all the way down to the Refuge de la Pierre a Berard and then take the Berard Valley back to the Le Buet Parking.


Overall, this is some of the best scenery around Chamonix. Its long and strenuous but if you can handle it then this will be one of the most rewarding day hikes you can do in the region. Some practical information: no dogs as you will be passing through natural reserves. The technical difficulty is too high for anyone below the age of 15 in our opinion. The altitude of more than 3000 meters necessitates proper preparation and clothes for all temperatures and weather conditions. The summit of Mont Buet is only snow free for a limited couple of months per year and it changes drastically depending on how early the snow falls. To illustrate this, we did this route in the middle of September 2022 and were going through the snow. The video we shot in October 9, 2023 had us going up in t-shirts at 25 degree temperatures. So ask ahead of time. The northern approach is too technical to be handled in snowy/icey conditions and could pose real danger. There will be plenty of rivers and stream along the way. Both Refuge Loriaz and Refuge Berard have a water source. Check if those are open on the dates you plan to go. In any case bring plenty of water as there are long stretches without a water source.

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!

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 3098 meters at the summit of Mont Buet and it will be dangerous to take this particular route from the northern side of Mont Buet if there is snow cover. At the same time the amount of snow cover at different periods of the year can vary great depending on the amount of snow that fell the last season, the heat of spring and summer and the timing of the first snow. So it is important to get accurate data on the amount of snow cover on Mont Buet. The Mountain Information Office is a good source to consult before heading out. Roughly speaking the best period to undertake this high altitude trail would be from the middle of July to the end of September. We understand that this is a very small window.


It is not difficult to navigate this route. In fact you will be seeing the majority of the route quite early on seeing how you will be entering the Tre-les-Eaux valley and seeing much of the ridgeline to Mont Buet ahead of you. The trail markers are clear and present at every junction.


The trail is very technical. Especially the final ascend to Mont Buet from the Cheval Blanc has many sections that are steep and require hand and foot work. There will also be big intimidating drops on many of those sections. The traditional route approaching the summit from its south-western slope is a lot less technical. 





Family Friendliness of this Trail

Children

15+ Years old

Are dogs allowed on this trail

Dogs

Natural Reserves. No dogs allowed.

Trail Starting Point

Trail Starting Point

We start the trail at the Le Buet car park. The Le Buet train station is located right at the far end of the car park and the bus station is inside the car park. The entrance to the Tre-les-Eaux valley is at Le Lay should you decide to start this trail from Vallorcine.

Trail Directions

Trail Directions

From the Le Buet parking follow the main road D1506 in a northern direction. You will see a trail on your left right before the bridge with a trail marker for Mont Buet. Take this trail and follow the signs for Tre-les-Eax.  At Sur le Rocher keep following signs for Tre-les-Eaux. You are now on a single trail that will lead all the way up to the Col des Corbeux. Follow the signs for the Cheval Blanc. At the summit of Cheval Blanc follow the ridge in a south-western direction following the trail marker saying Lac du Plan du Buet. Follow trail along the ridge line which will take you all the way to the summit of Mont Buet. The summit has no trail markers but you will see the trail going down its southern face. Follow this trail and keep following it in a southern direction to the Col de Salenton. You will reach a junction before Col de Salenton. Take the trail going down to Refuge de Berard. You will never actually go to the Col de Salenton. From Refuge berard follow the single trail out of the valley back towards Le Buet passing by the Cascade de Berard and the hamlet of La Poya.

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.

Cascade du Berard

Waterfall

9

Exceptional

Beautiful waterfall with little snack bar at the start of the Berard Valley.

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

1429m

Cheval Blanc Summit

Summit

9

Exceptional

Large flat summit rising high above Lac Vieux Emosson and Tre-les-Eaux

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

2830m

Col de Salenton

Mountain Pass

9

Exceptional

Mountain Pass between the Berard and Aiguilles Rouges natural reserves

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

2526m

Col des Corbeux

Mountain Pass

8

Very Good

Rocky mountain pass between Cheval Blanc and Col de la Terrasse

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

2612m

Glacier de Tre les Eaux

Glacier

6

Above Average

Small and shrinking glacier located below the summit of Mont Buet

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

2380m

Grotte a Farinet

Rock Cave

8

Very Good

Nice little cave near the Cascade and Buvette de Berard

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

1454m

Le Buet

Hamlet

7

Good

Small Hamlet at the end of the Berard Valley near Vallorcine

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

1344m

Mont Buet Summit

Summit

10

The Best

The highest summit outside of the Mont Blanc Massif at 3096m with great views all around

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

3096m

Refuge de la Pierre a Berard

Refuge

8

Very Good

Refuge located at the end of the valley in the Vallon de Berard nature reserve

Full Description

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

1925m

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