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(2958m)
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Two approaches to this magnificent though rarely done summit. The routes may look intimidating, but are actually varied and original. Map : IGN Valloire. Time : 5h. Altitude difference: 1600 m and 1200m. Also called Cime des Torches. Updated 12/06/2003
Circular panorama from the summit
1 - On the Croix de Fer road, at the foot of mount Charvin, before Les Chambons, stop at La Villette (1360m), take a path leading to Pré Rieux. Also from Entraigues ( 1280 m ), taking a path leading to Pré Rieux, to the left of the road before entering the village.
2 - Turn left at Les Chambons, then left again towards Le Poingt. In a hairpin starts the trail to La Traverse. Depending whether you hate or love your car, you will go more or less high on that trail.
Routes
1 - From Pré Rieux, take a rising path traversing southward, and on to another path starting at Besset Dessus ( 1600 m ). This superb, though sometimes airy section leads to the bottom of the Combe du Vallon . Cross the stream at an intersection (Chalets du Vallon) and walk into the forest ( 1600 m, 1H 10 ) .
| Towards 1850 m, the forest becomes thinner and the path weaves into an otherwise impenetrable patch of green alders. Go east between the alders, and at the bend of a shortcut (visible on the map) follow a path leading to the chalet de Chanin (2200 m, 1H 30). Do not cross the ruisseau de Coirnavan (alders). From the chalet de Chanin on splendid grassy terrain (Plan de la Gouille) go south-west up a ridge (map points 2655 and 2659 - 1 H). Walk across a hollow section and traverse south to the Col de l'Agnelin (2769 m, 20 mn). From the col, reach the summit via an easy grassy ridge (30 mn). The view on the Massif de l'Etendard and the Arves basin is breathtaking. |
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2 - Walk the trail to La Traverse (chalet, 1916m) and observe the steep grassy slope that leads to the ridge between Pointe du Chatel and Petit Agnelin. It is climbed on its right part, steep but fairly easy. Once on the ridge (grass, faint tracks) the route is obvious : follow the ridge, turn left to reach Petit Agnelin (2717m), then down a little to finish with the north ridge of Grand Agnelin. The last 100 metres require caution (steep shale).
Descent
Same routes. The north ridge is shorter, but more difficult at the start.
From the top, the two ascent routes : Petit Agnelin on the left and the grassy Chanin crest on the right
Other routes
Traverse : From the Col du Grand Agnelin, then the col de Tirequeue ( 2339 ), and the col des Prés Nouveaux and Pré Plan ( 1600) , you can reach St Sorlin d'Arves.