Pointe Percée
2,750 m
France
Also known as Punta PercéeAlso known as
Punta Percée
- Elevation
- 2,750 m
- Prominence
- 1,643 m
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Easy alpine
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: T4 (CAF Chambéry (2018 outing)) · PD+ (Camptocamp (winter conditions))
The highest summit of the Aravis by its normal route: a waymarked path from the Col des Annes (1,710 m) over the Col de l'Oulettaz to the Refuge de Gramusset (2,164 m), then an unofficial, red-dotted line of ledges and slabs up the limestone west face, with easy climbing moves and a short exposed summit ridge. About 1,100 m of ascent, 2½–3½ hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 5.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,059 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,750 m
- Time Up
- 4h 14m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 52m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Col des Annes (about 1,710 m; little parking, so consider the seasonal bus from Le Grand-Bornand or the Les Troncs start) take the track east and after three bends a steep path on the left over the Tête des Annes (1,869 m) and the Pointe des Delevrets (1,966 m). Follow the ridge down to the Col de l'Oulettaz (about 1,925–1,950 m), cross lapiaz where hands are sometimes needed, and at the junction below the Monts Pelés climb about 150 m of switchbacks to the Refuge de la Pointe Percée (Gramusset, 2,164 m), about 1 hour. A sign at the refuge warns that the summit routes are not officially waymarked and are taken at your own risk. From the refuge, follow small red dots across the lapiaz for about 10 minutes to a large cairn on a flat area: the normal route goes left, the Cheminées de Sallanches straight on. Put on a helmet at the foot of the face (stonefall from parties above, ibex and frost). Go round the west pillar and climb a stony combe almost to its far left end, then an easy climbing step (about II) leads onto a series of broad ledges zigzagging up the face. Higher up the ground steepens and the hands are used regularly; the red marks are frequent and visible. A small open cirque leads to the gendarme at the top of the Cheminées, and a short, aerial ridge traverse to the summit, with a carved larch cross and a stone windbreak. Allow 1–1½ hours (up to 2) from the refuge. Descend the same way, about 2–2½ hours to the Col des Annes, taking care on polished lapiaz and loose scree. Early in the season old snow on the west face can block the route; ask the refuge. Persistent snowfields lying on slabs above the route cause avalanche and stonefall risk in late spring and early summer, and the commune of Le Grand-Bornand has closed the route by decree when this risk is high (July 2024).
Start
Col des Annes1,724 m
- Bus from Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand; a seasonal shuttle serves the Col des Annes in summer.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Col des Annes → Pointe Percée | 5.1 | 1,059 | 33 | 4h 14m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Col des Annes1,724 m
Limited parking by the chalet-restaurants; seasonal bus from Le Grand-Bornand
- Shoulder: Pointe des Delevrets1,953 m
- Col: Col de l'Oulettaz1,917 m
- Hut: Refuge de la Pointe Percée2,161 m
- Summit: Pointe Percée2,750 m
Key Passages
- Lapiaz between the Col de l'Oulettaz and the refuge
- Easy climbing step onto the ledges of the west face
- Steeper ledges and slabs with hands needed
- Short aerial summit ridge from the top of the Cheminées
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The highest summit of the Aravis (2,750 m), a limestone peak above Le Grand-Bornand and Sallanches with a 1,640 m prominence and a view straight across to Mont Blanc. The normal route is a demanding T5 scramble up ledges on the west face from the Refuge de Gramusset.
Pointe Percée is the culminating point of the Aravis range in the Haute-Savoie Prealps, at the meeting point of the communes of Le Grand-Bornand, Le Reposoir and Sallanches. It takes its name from a hole near the top of its north-west ridge. With a prominence of about 1,640 m it is one of the ultra-prominent peaks of the Alps, and its summit, marked by a carved larch cross, looks across the Arve valley to the whole Mont Blanc massif and out to the Vanoise, the Beaufortain and Lake Geneva.
The mountain is a tilted pile of limestone ledges and slabs. On the Grand-Bornand side, the Refuge de la Pointe Percée (Gramusset) sits on lapiaz at 2,164 m, an hour from the Col des Annes. From there the normal route threads a line of red-dotted ledges up the west face, while the Cheminées de Sallanches give a steeper, sunnier line of chimneys on the south side. Neither is officially waymarked, and both require hands and a steady head; the south and east walls carry many harder rock climbs.
It is a popular summer objective for experienced mountain walkers from Annecy and Geneva, and a classic winter climb when snow covers the ledges.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for 1,100 m of ascent and about 5–6 hours return is needed, together with sure-footedness on exposed limestone ledges and slabs and basic scrambling skills (moves of about II). A helmet is essential: stonefall from people and ibex is frequent. Less experienced parties, and children, should be roped; a 30 m rope, a harness and a few slings are enough, and guides in Annecy and Le Grand-Bornand offer the climb. Most people do it in a day from the Col des Annes; a night at the Refuge de Gramusset allows an early start.
Go from July to early October, once the old snow has gone from the west face; ask the refuge about conditions early in the season. Persistent snowfields above the normal route can avalanche or release stones in late spring and summer, and the commune has closed the route when the risk was high. In winter the route becomes a PD+ mountaineering climb needing ice axe, crampons and a rope.
History
The first recorded ascent was in 1865 by Louis Maquelin of Geneva with two companions, though the mountain was probably climbed earlier by local hunters. The arête du Doigt was climbed in 1903 by Félix-Valentin Genecand, inventor of the Tricouni boot nail, and J. Cevey, and in 1944 including its upper step by Anchieri and Boivin. The Refuge de la Pointe Percée at Gramusset has existed since at least 1930 and was rebuilt in recent years by the FFCAM.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter mountaineering (PD+); refuge staffed in winter (10 January – 15 March 2026)
- Feb
- Winter mountaineering; avalanche risk on the approach
- Mar
- Winter mountaineering; refuge staffed until mid-March
- Apr
- Spring snow; avalanche risk
- May
- Old snow on the west face
- Jun
- Snowfields often linger on the face; refuge opens mid-June; check conditions
- Jul
- Main season; check for persistent snowfields above the route
- Aug
- Main season; busy at weekends
- Oct
- Refuge closes early October (4–5 October in 2026); early snow possible
- Nov
- Early winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Refuge de la Pointe Percée (FFCAM): book online on the refuge website, also required for the unstaffed season; changes and cancellations must be made online.
- Rules
- The summit routes are not officially waymarked; a sign at the refuge warns that they are taken at your own risk
- The commune of Le Grand-Bornand can close the normal route by municipal decree when snowfields above it pose a high risk (as in July 2024)
- Bivouacking near the refuge is allowed in limited space: check in at the refuge first and keep out of the helicopter landing zone
- Getting There
Le Grand-Bornand (Haute-Savoie)
Geneva (GVA)
- Car: from Thônes via Saint-Jean-de-Sixt and Le Grand-Bornand, then the Vallée du Bouchet road to the Col des Annes (1,710 m); parking is limited
- Alternative start: Les Troncs (Vallée du Bouchet), about 1½ hours to the refuge
- Bus from Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand; a seasonal shuttle serves the Col des Annes
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Exposure
- Avalanche
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 2,164 m
Refuge de la Pointe PercéeHutStaffedBooking required
49 beds · Staffed 12/13 June – 4/5 October and 10 January – 15 March (2026); unstaffed room with 22 places outside these periods (booking required)