Grand Galibier

3,228 m

France

Also known as Le Grand Galibier

Le Grand Galibier

Elevation: 3,228 m
Prominence: 635 m
Difficulty: 4/10; Alpine hike
Best Season: Aug–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

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AlpineFUIAAIISACT4ScrambleNormal route

Sources differ: I+/II (accompagnateur.net) · Ski: 2.3 / PD (winter) (Camptocamp)

The easiest way up: a long walk of about 1,250–1,300 m from Plan Lachat on the Galibier road, past the Lac des Cerces to the Col de la Ponsonnière, along the ridge above Lac Blanc to the Col Termier, then a rough combe and about 100 m of easy but exposed scrambling (I+/II, blue marks) to the west summit. About 4 hours up.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 10.4 km; one way
Ascent: +1,314 m; start → summit
High Point: 3,228 m
Time Up: 5h 47m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 4h 05m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Park at Plan Lachat (about 1,960–2,000 m), on the D902 between Valloire and the Col du Galibier. Follow the track south-east towards the sheepfolds of Les Mottets (about 2,140 m; the track can sometimes be driven this far, saving about 200 m), then take the path right towards the Lac des Cerces (2,410 m), join the GR 57 and follow it south to the Col de la Ponsonnière (2,613 m). Leave the GR here and follow the Crête de la Ponsonnière west above Lac Blanc, then a fairly steep, rocky path to the Col Termier (about 2,880–2,900 m), roughly 3 hours from the car. From the col, do not follow the cairns and blue dots heading right into rock bands (they lead towards the east summit). Pass left of the small Lac Termier, often dry by late August, and zigzag north-west up the stony combe on a narrow cairned path, through scree and late snowfields, to the foot of the summit block below the gap between the east (3,219 m) and west (3,228 m) summits. From here follow blue paint marks: climb the rock step to the gap, then the ridge on the right, bypassing steeper steps on the left and the last pinnacle on the right, to the summit with its relay mast and an old iron cross. The last 100 m are easy climbing (I+/II) but exposed; a slip would be serious. Descend the same way (about 2–3 hours). The full outing is about 16–19 km and 6–9 hours. Snowfields often remain until mid or late July; outside mid-July to mid-September hard snow can make crampons necessary. There is no water above the lakes and no hut on the route.

Start

Plan Lachat1,962 m

No public transport to Plan Lachat was confirmed; Valloire is reached by bus from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne station.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Plan Lachat → Grand Galibier	10.4	1,314	47	5h 47m

Waypoints

Parking:
Plan Lachat1,962 m
Car park on the D902 just before the first hairpin of the Galibier road
Feature:
Les Mottets2,132 m
Sheepfolds at the end of the track
Feature:
Lac des Cerces2,409 m
Col:
Col de la Ponsonnière2,611 m
Feature:
Lac Blanc2,640 m
Col:
Col Termier2,898 m
Summit:
Grand Galibier3,228 m

Key Passages

Crête de la Ponsonnière above Lac Blanc
Col Termier: keep left past Lac Termier, not right into the rock bands
Rock step to the gap between the two summits
Final exposed ridge (I+/II) to the west summit

Equipment

0/8 packed

Technical

Crampons and ice axebefore mid-July or after mid-September if snowfields are hardRecommended
Short ropefor beginners on the exposed summit stepRecommended

Safety

Sun protectionRequired
Helmetloose rock in the summit sectionRecommended

Footwear

Stiff hiking or mountain bootsscree, rock steps and late snowfieldsRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersoften windy at 3,200 mRequired

Other

At least 2 litres of waterno water above the lakesRequired
Trekking polesRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 80%

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Overview

A twin-topped limestone and schist peak (3,228 m) above the Col du Galibier, on the border of Savoie and the Hautes-Alpes. The normal route is a long hike from Plan Lachat that ends with 100 m of easy but exposed scrambling.

The Grand Galibier rises directly above the Col du Galibier road, between Valloire in the Maurienne and the Col du Lautaret, and is the highest summit of the Massif des Cerces. It has two tops: the west summit (3,228 m), which carries a relay mast and an old wrought-iron cross, and the east summit (3,219 m). Its south side drops in steep couloirs towards the Guisane valley; the gentler south-east side, above Lac Blanc and the small Lac Termier, carries the normal route.

For walkers it is one of the higher summits reachable without glacier kit in this part of the Alps: about 1,250–1,300 m of ascent and 16–19 km from Plan Lachat, most of it on good paths past lakes and over the Col de la Ponsonnière. The difficulties are concentrated in the final 100 m, where hands are needed on an exposed rocky ridge marked with blue paint. The summit view takes in La Meije and the Écrins, Mont Thabor, the Aiguilles d'Arves and, on clear days, Mont Blanc.

The mountain also has rock and mixed routes on its north-west face and ridges, and is a well-known ski-touring objective in spring by the same south-east side or several steep couloirs.

Climbing Notes

Fitness for a 6–9 hour day with about 1,300 m of ascent at up to 3,200 m is the main requirement; people coming straight from sea level may feel the altitude. The summit section is easy climbing (I+/II) on loose rock with real exposure, so sure-footedness and some scrambling experience are needed; beginners should be roped and a guide is a good idea. Go between mid-July and mid-September, when the path is usually clear of snow; earlier or later, hard snowfields in the combe can require crampons and an ice axe. Carry plenty of water, start early to avoid afternoon storms, and at the Col Termier keep left past the lake rather than following the cairns right towards the east summit.

History

The first known tourist ascent was made on 1 October 1877 by Émile Pic and André Salvador de Quatrefages, roughly by the Couloir Termier line from the south. W. A. B. Coolidge climbed it with Christian Almer father and son on 23 July 1882 by the south face. The first winter ascent was on 10 December 1890 (Maurice Paillon and Émile Pic) and the first ski ascent on 21 March 1903 by a military party under Captain Clère.

Season

Best Aug–Sep

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Not advisable
June: Possible
July: Good
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Possible
November: Not advisable
December: Not advisable

Jan: Winter; ski-touring only for experienced parties
Feb: Winter; ski-touring only
Mar: Spring ski-touring by the south-east side
Apr: Spring ski-touring; avalanche and cornice risk
May: Transition; Galibier road may still be closed
Jun: Snowfields in the combe and summit section; crampons often needed
Jul: Usually clear from mid-July; afternoon thunderstorms
Aug: Best conditions; busy, Lac Termier may be dry
Sep: Often stable; good until mid-September
Oct: Early snow and ice possible
Nov: Winter conditions
Dec: Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Rules

The Col du Galibier road (D902) above Valloire is a high pass road closed in winter and spring; check opening dates before planning an early-season trip

Getting There

Valloire (Maurienne, Savoie)

Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc (CMF); Grenoble Alpes-Isère (GNB); Turin (TRN)

Car: from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne over the Col du Télégraphe to Valloire, then the D902 towards the Col du Galibier to Plan Lachat (about 8 km before the col)
The track from Plan Lachat to Les Mottets can sometimes be driven, saving about 200 m; it was damaged in spring 2024 and later repaired
Train to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, then bus to Valloire; no public transport to Plan Lachat was confirmed

Hazards

Exposure
Rockfall
Weather
Avalanche