Starting from the Lac du Loup, this good route combines climbing alpine pastures with a fine ridge walk. The whole is rather long, especially in combination. The path to the Col de Valbuche is marked in yellow. Staying on the described route will guarantee an easy climb. Straying away from it, especially on the way down the ridge, nullifies the guarantee. Altitude difference: Valbuche: 950m, plus 500m for Mont Bellachat, also called Pointe du Mont du Fût. Count 3 hoursfor the col and 2 hours for the ridge. Descend on the same route.

Start

In La Chambre, take the road to Col de la Madeleine and turn right after 5 kms towards Montaimont and Bonvillard. On entering Bonvillard, take left to the Lac du Loup. After 1 km, park on the left at the start of the dirt road leading to Le Loup (1480m). The "Valbuche" ONF signpost signals the start of the climb.

Valbuche

Walk up along, then across a stream. Follow the two white signposts that signal the start of the path. Traverse right to reach the Closet chalets (muddy in Spring). After a brief descent on muddy ground, leave to your right the Avannières footpath and traverse across vast grassy slopes (yellow marks). The enormous cairn at the col is already visible high above. After a series of short traverses and steeper climbs, and after crossing several streams, reach the alpine pastures of the Grandes Combes. Towards 2100m, start a long southward traverse that will end just below the col de Valbuche. Walk past a sheep barn and up a series of steep bends to reach the depression of the col (big cairn). The col itself is a bit farther (signpost). To your right, the Grand Coin ridge, to yoyr left, the grassy slopes of Pointe de Valbuche. You also join the Sentier Balcon.

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Mont Bellachat

At the big cairn, go left and up the easy grass slopes (no path). 250m higher up, reach the top of Pointe de Valbuche (2629m), where what is waiting for you is revealed: straight ahead and to the right, the cliffs of Mollard des Boeufs, which the route avoids on their left, and much farther to the left, Mont Bellachat and the ridge that leads there. Walk down the steps north of Pointe de Valbuche. A path appears; it will lead you to the top. The ridge is wide and easy. On rock and grass come close to the crags of Mollard des Boeufs. Leave them to your right and walk down towards Mont Bellachat. The big white summit cross can now be seen. A flat section on the wide ridge, then wind your way uphill among big boulders and grass to finally reach the summit (2824m). Behind the cross, you will find a small trapdoor and the summit notebook, on which you can leave your impressions. If you look north, you will see the mass of the Cheval Noir massif.

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