Dent de Cons
2,063 m
France
- Elevation
- 2,063 m
- Prominence
- 1,155 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Sep–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The usual ascent from the Marthod side: from the Raffort car park (about 1,180 m) up the steep Creux du Cayon combe to the Col de la Sellive (1,722 m), then a waymarked zigzag through small rock bands on the east face to the summit ridge and a short walk north-east to the top. About 900 m of ascent; often done as a loop over the airy Rocher Prani ridge.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 3.3 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +876 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,063 m
- Time Up
- 3h 22m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 13m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Raffort car park above Marthod (reached via Le Villard), follow the forest track south-west, then the right-hand path into the Creux du Cayon. The path leaves the trees and climbs the steep combe to the Col de la Sellive (1,722 m), a broad saddle on the east side of the mountain, in about 1½ hours (+530 m). Ignore the cable-equipped path on the left, which goes to the Pointe de la Sellive. Above the col, a large cairn marks the fork to the right; miss it and you follow a trail that slowly descends to a dead end below a rock band. The yellow and green waymarked path then works up the steep, east-facing slope in rising traverses and ledges between small cliffs, with many side tracks, to the crest. Follow the easy ridge north-east to the summit and its viewpoint indicator, 2½–3 hours from the car. Descend the same way, or continue north along the Rocher Prani ridge (a few airy but easy passages) and drop through forest to the Chalet de l'Alpettaz and back south to Le Raffort, about 4–4½ hours for the loop. The east face is steep: avoid it in the wet and when snow lies on it, when it is avalanche-prone.
Start
Parking des Rafforts1,193 m
- No practical public transport; buses run along the Albertville–Ugine valley, but the Raffort car park is about 900 m higher up a steep minor road.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parking des Rafforts → Dent de Cons | 3.3 | 876 | 12 | 3h 22m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Parking des Rafforts1,193 m
- Feature: Le Creux du Cayon1,714 m
- Summit: Dent de Cons2,063 m
Key Passages
- Steep climb up the Creux du Cayon
- Col de la Sellive
- Cairned fork just above the col
- Rising traverses between rock bands on the east face
- Airy Rocher Prani ridge (loop option)
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
The highest point (2,063 m) of the isolated chain at the eastern edge of the Bauges, between the Val de Tamié and the Arly valley above Albertville. A short but steep half-day hike with an airy summit ridge and a wide view of the Beaufortain and Mont Blanc.
The Dent de Cons is a limestone pre-Alpine summit on the border of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. It crowns a small chain cut off from the rest of the Bauges by the Val de Tamié to the west; geographically the chain continues the Aravis south of the Marlens cluse, while the lower Arly valley separates it from the Beaufortain to the east. Southwards the ridge runs over the Col de l'Alpettaz to La Belle Étoile (1,841 m) above Albertville. The name comes from the former commune of Cons-Sainte-Colombe on its north-west flank.
With about 1,150 m of prominence it stands well clear of its neighbours, and the summit has a viewpoint indicator. The usual approach is from the hamlets above Marthod on the east side: a steep combe to the Col de la Sellive and a waymarked line through small rock bands to the ridge. It is a popular local half-day outing and a launch site for experienced paraglider pilots.
The mountain is not technical, but the east face is steep and the summit ridge, especially the continuation over the Rocher Prani, is exposed in places. Strong hikers link it with La Belle Étoile in a long ridge traverse.
Climbing Notes
Suitable for fit hikers used to steep, narrow paths and some exposure: about 900 m of ascent and 4–4½ hours round trip from Le Raffort. Choose a dry day; the east-face path and ridge are unpleasant and slippery in the rain, and the face is steep, avalanche-prone ground in winter and spring. Follow the yellow and green waymarks carefully above the Col de la Sellive, where several false trails branch off.
The access road to the Raffort car park is steep and narrow. There is no water on the route and no staffed hut, so carry everything you need.
Season
Best Sep–Oct- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; steep, avalanche-prone east face
- Feb
- Winter; ski touring on the east face for experienced skiers only
- Mar
- Snow; the east face purges quickly in spring sun
- Apr
- Possible late in the month in a low-snow year
- May
- Usually snow-free by mid-May
- Jul
- Hot on the south-east-facing slopes; start early; afternoon storms
- Aug
- Hot; start early
- Oct
- Good until the first snow
- Nov
- Possible before snowfall; short days
- Dec
- Snow makes the east face dangerous
Access & Permits
- Getting There
Albertville (Marthod for the trailhead); Faverges on the west side
Chambéry-Savoie (CMF); Geneva (GVA)
- Car: between Ugine and Albertville turn off for Marthod, go through the village to Les Bulles d'en Haut and Le Villard, then follow the steep minor road to the Raffort car park (about 1,180 m)
- West side: a path climbs from Le Planet above Faverges-Seythenex (Camptocamp, T3)
- Trains and buses reach Albertville; there is no public transport to the trailhead
Hazards
- Exposure
- Avalanche
- Weather