La Tournette
2,350 m
France
Also known as TournetteAlso known as
Tournette
- Elevation
- 2,350 m
- Prominence
- 1,514 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Sep
- Routes
- 1
RegulationReported 19 Jul 2025
The Col de l'Aulp track to the Chalet de l'Aulp is closed to cars from 19 July 2025 until further notice (municipal order N75-2025, linked to bovine lumpy skin disease); park at Les Prés Ronds and walk 20–40 minutes to the chalet.
talloires-montmin.fr
Routes
1Sources differ: R3 (confirmé) (isere-rando.com)
The classic ascent of the highest summit above Lake Annecy: pasture paths from Les Prés Ronds (1,216 m) to the Chalet de l'Aulp, a steep ridge path to the Casset plateau, then rock bands and ledges with chains, cables and rungs past the Col du Varo to the foot of the Fauteuil, a huge summit block climbed by ladders. About 1,200–1,260 m of ascent and 6 hours round trip; crowded in summer.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 5.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,171 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,350 m
- Time Up
- 4h 36m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 05m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Prés Ronds car park at the end of the paved road above Le Villard (1,216 m), walk up the track or the waymarked path through the pastures to the Chalet de l'Aulp (about 1,424 m, farm), 20–40 minutes; cars have not been allowed beyond Les Prés Ronds since July 2025. At the chalet take the path on the right, which zigzags steeply up the grassy ridge towards Pierre Châtelard, then turns south to a small plateau with the Chalet du Casset; the Refuge de la Tournette (1,774 m, private, not open to the public) lies just below. Do not go to the refuge but cross the plateau towards the rock bands. The path climbs through them on ledges and steep zigzags to the ridge near the Col du Varo (2,151 m), with several steps protected by chains, cables and handrails on polished limestone. Beyond, it passes round the back of the rock band onto the Thônes side, crosses further equipped passages and reaches the foot of the Fauteuil ('armchair'), the overhanging summit block. A steep equipped chimney and two metal ladders lead onto its top (2,351 m). Allow about 3 hours from the Chalet de l'Aulp, 3½ from Les Prés Ronds. Descend the same way (about 2–2½ hours); a loop using the Passage du Varo is possible but signs warn against descending it. Queues form at the ladders and first equipped step on summer weekends; hikers recommend avoiding the summit ladder when it is crowded. In 2025–2026 recent reports describe the old chains as replaced by new cables.
Start
Parking des Prés Ronds1,213 m
- No public transport to Les Prés Ronds; a car is needed.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parking des Prés Ronds → La Tournette | 5.1 | 1,171 | 33 | 4h 36m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Parking des Prés Ronds1,213 m
- Waypoint: Chalet de l'Aulp1,427 m
Farm at the end of the track; no cars since July 2025
- Feature: Chalet du Casset1,795 m
- Col: Col du Varo2,107 m
- Summit: La Tournette2,350 m
Key Passages
- Steep grassy ridge above the Chalet de l'Aulp
- Equipped rock bands near the Col du Varo
- Equipped chimney below the Fauteuil
- Two ladders onto the Fauteuil summit block
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
At 2,351 m the highest summit around Lake Annecy, a limestone massif crowned by the 'Fauteuil', an armchair-shaped block reached by chains and ladders. A very popular, steep and partly equipped hike with a long view over the lake to Mont Blanc.
La Tournette is the dominant mountain of the Lake Annecy area, rising some 1,900 m above the eastern shore between Talloires, Montmin and Thônes. It belongs to the Bornes massif: the Tournette chain, flanked on the lake side by the much lower Forclaz chain, separates Lake Annecy from the Thônes basin. With about 1,500 m of prominence it is an ultra, and on a clear day the summit view runs from the lake to Mont Blanc.
The summit itself is the 'Fauteuil' (armchair), a big overhanging block of limestone on top of the main mass. The normal route from the Chalet de l'Aulp on the lake side is a sustained hike through pastures and then a series of rock bands and ledges protected by chains, cables, rungs and finally two ladders onto the Fauteuil. Nothing is technically hard, but hands are needed often, the rock is polished, and the exposure on the final section can be intimidating.
The mountain is busy in summer, with queues at the ladders on fine weekends, and ibex and chamois are common on the upper slopes. The cliffs of the Tournette also hold hard multi-pitch rock climbs (the Paroi du Lars and Casset), and in winter the Thônes side is a ski-touring objective.
Climbing Notes
Suitable for fit, sure-footed hikers with a head for heights: about 1,200–1,260 m of ascent and 6 hours round trip from Les Prés Ronds. The equipped passages are simple but exposed; children can manage with close supervision, but the route is not suitable for dogs or anyone who suffers from vertigo. Go in dry conditions; the limestone is slippery in the wet.
Start early to avoid the queues at the ladders and the afternoon heat on the lake-facing slopes. Snow lingers on the ledges into June in many years, and in late autumn and winter thin snow over ice makes the final section dangerous: there have been fatal falls near the Fauteuil, and crampons and ice axe are needed then.
Since 19 July 2025 cars may not drive beyond the Prés Ronds car park, so allow 20–40 minutes extra to reach the Chalet de l'Aulp. Do not park along the road when the car park is full; fines have been reported.
Season
Best Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; lake-side route icy and dangerous; ski touring on the Thônes side
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Winter conditions
- Apr
- Snow on the ledges
- May
- Often still snow on the equipped ledges; wait for them to clear
- Jun
- Usually clear from mid or late June
- Jul
- Very busy; queues at the ladders; afternoon storms
- Aug
- Peak crowds; start early
- Sep
- Best month: fewer people, stable weather
- Oct
- Good in dry weather until the first snow
- Nov
- Only without snow; ice on shaded ledges
- Dec
- Snow over ice makes the final section dangerous
Access & Permits
- Rules
- No cars beyond the Prés Ronds car park on the Col de l'Aulp track (Talloires-Montmin municipal order N75-2025, in force since 19 July 2025 until further notice)
- Parking along the access road outside the car park is fined
- Refuge de la Tournette is private and not open to the public
- Getting There
Talloires-Montmin; Annecy and Faverges for services
Geneva (GVA)
- Car: D42 between the Col de la Forclaz and Montmin; at Le Villard turn north towards Le Bois / Les Prés Ronds / La Tournette and park at the Prés Ronds car park (1,216 m, toilets)
- Alternative start: a loop from Montmin village (about 1,050 m) adds about 200 m of ascent
- No public transport to Les Prés Ronds
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather