| Mont
Charvin (2207m)
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Mont Charvin stands alone in the middle of the Arvan basin, and offers first-rate views on the Aiguilles d'Arves and the Grandes Rousses massif. The slopes are mostly steep and sustained, but, apart from a few passages in the south face, without difficulty. The traditional route starting near l'Arsellaz has seen its start modified by a forest trail. The three routes described below explore every side of the mountain. IGN Map TOP 25 3435 ET. Updated 11/06/2004
360° panorama from the top
Traverse from le Corbier (1) - Tour du Charvin
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Varied and spectacular, but often steep. A few passages require a cautious foot, in the south face and down Col de la Louvière. Alternate route, easier but longer : The south face passages can be avoided by going down to Le Villard and back up via the Charvin's normal route (numerous signposts). Altitude difference: 850m, for at least 4h. Add 200m for the alternate route |
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Route
Leave the car in the first bend after Villarembert on the Corbier road (alt. 1410). Go left at the first intersection towards the Oeillette lake. In a bend, go right (ski signpost) and cross the Taraveray stream, then on to another dirt trail, which soon joins another one. About 100m further on, an ONF signpost signals the start of the forest path to the col des Arves. That beautiful path is quite tortuous. At intersections, always take the the Col des Arves direction. Higher up, walk onto a forest trail that finally reaches the col itself. At the col (panorama of the Grandes Rousses and Aiguilles d'Arves), walk left on a well-trodden path that traverses up the Charvin's steep south face. Walk as far as possible on the path until it seems to disappear(one difficult passage across a very steep ravine, be careful). Actually, after two tight turns, the path reappears to traverse to the left the steepest part of the south face and vanishes again at a shallow grassy ravine. Go straight up left of the ravine (grass, sustained). 100m higher, fall back on a path and traverse right up to the bottom of a dirt ridge which has to be climbed directly (sustained), until the path goes right, leaving the dirt for the steep final grassy slopes where the path loses itself for good. The summit is right above (sustained). The whole face is very steep but, apart from the ravine, without alpine difficulties (ski poles or an ice-axe may be useful).
Descent
From the top (2 207m), enjoy a very fine circular panorama then go north down the grassy ground at the top of Charvin on a very eroded path, visible far away. Slowly turn north-east and, after a few bends, reach the Frédière chalet (ruins). A series of hairpins then leads to the bottom of the coomb and a stream. Follow the path on its left bank down to a barn (cattle, close the two gates behind you). The path then falls into Charvin's north side. Go down 50m and turn left towards the Col de la Louvière, reached after 20mn of almost level walking. The path that goes down the other side of the col is sensational, especially in foggy weather, but extremely steep and demands a degree of caution. At the first intersection, go left towards the Oeillette lake (20min), and then on to the forest trail that will lead you back to your car.
Normal route from Le Villard - St Jean d'Arves (2)
Easy, short and signposted, this route provides impressive views from the top of Combe Genin. Leave your car in Le Villard (1512m) and go north up the lower grass slopes on the south face of Mont Charvin. When the path steepens and enters the forest, start traversing right on a more or less level path in the Outraz forest. The going is easy and pleasant. At the end of the traverse, turn sharply left (signpost) and start climbing steeper slopes in the forest to reach the Charvin's south ridge. At IGN 2134m, the view from the top of Combe Genin is impressive. Do not try to walk down the coomb (stonefall). The path goes up again a last grass mound and soon reaches the top. Go down the same way. Time: 1h30 à 2h. |
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From the roadmenders' house (3)
This route winds its way up Mont Charvin's east face. Find the start at the exit of the long dark tunnel that comes out on Combe Genin on route D926. Given the state the path is in now, with a very exposed passage as it crosses the top of Combe des Culées, no description will be given in this page. The path figures on IGN maps. Trying it is not recommended unless you are prepared to take serious risks.
Take a new forest trail about 1 km before the first tunnel. Up a first bend, then straight at a junction with another trail. The trail gets steeper. After two bends, and on arriving at a flat section, turn right on to the old path of the traditional route from St Jean. The path goes up the forest (sustained, hairpins), then passes onto the north face of Charvin on a convenient ledge before reaching the junction to la Loubière (signpost). Climb on and after a few bends, the path goes out of the forest and traverses a grassy coomb towards La Frédière and climbs again. At a signpost, you can go up towards the water trough visible above or, more interesting, turn right and go up after the ruins of the chalet. The rest of the route is fairly obvious, up the last grassy slopes. A fast route, but rather sustained all the way