Grand Coin (2730m)   [General Map] [Local Map] [E-Mail]   Click on the map

Important summit for the walker for its many routes and general ease of access. Its isolated position on the ridge that separates Maurienne and Tarentaise guarantees fine panoramas. Some routes, treated somewhere else in this guide, will only be mentioned. IGN map TOP 25 3433 ET.

From Bonvillard (1)

Via col de Valbuche and the north ridge. No difficulties, but longer than the normal route from Col du Chaussy. 1250m of ascent, 4 hours.

In La Chambre, take the road to the Col de la Madeleine and turn right after 5 kms towards Montaimont and Bonvillard. On entering Bonvillard, take left towards Lac du Loup. After 1 km, park on the left at the entrance of the dirt road leading to Le Loup (1480m). The "Valbuche" ONF signpost signals the start of the climb. 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 Les Grandes Combes. Towards 2100m, start a long southward traverse that will end just below the col de Valbuche. Walk above a sheep barn and up a series of steep turns to reach the depression of the col (big cairn). Go south (right) and walk up the Grand Coin's north ridge to Crêt Lognan (2696m). Turn left on the summit ridge. The top is 5mn away (2730m, viewpoint diagram). See also St François et le Mont Bellachat.

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From Col du Chaussy (2)

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From the dam

Two routes use the same starting point and make an interesting and recommended traverse walk. In the third bend on the Montpascal-to-Chaussy road, turn right and leave the car (IGN 1474m), then walk up to the dam (10mn). The two routes separate just before the dam.

Direct access to point 2155 (3)

Just before reaching the dam, a path branches out left. This new path winds up the vast grassy expanses under the Grand Coin's west ridge (numerous twists and turns). It comes out on the ridge near the Fontanious, and joins the classic route. Being somewhat monotonous, this route is best kept to descend after doing route 4, for example.

The Coin du Chatel route (4)

In the third bend on the Montpascal-Chaussy road, turn right and leave the car ( IGN 1474m), then walk up to the dam (10mn).

Cross the stream and turn left after 400m on to a pleasant path that goes up the northern part of the Ravières forest, on the left bank of the subsidence area of the Ravoire stream. Leave the trees behind towards alt. 1900m, under the southern slopes of Coin du Chatel, easily crossed on numerous sheep's tracks. Pass right of the crags above and reach the Bellecombe pastures above the Alpette chalet, landmark for other routes described below. The rest of the route is obvious but almost pathless. A few red marks show the way (difficult in fog). Locate the Bonzon cairn on the south ridge up above and walk up there on easy grass and scree slopes (2657m). Grand Coin is just behind, at the end of the summit's south ridge. Use routes 2 or 3 to go down.

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From le Chatel

For the hard walker (2000m of ascent). No difficulty, 6 hours. There are several ways of reaching the Alpette chalet, from which you will join route 4:

- Le Chatel - Saint Jacques - the Ulliettes path - Alpette chalet. The Ulliettes path can be found 100m after the chapel on the left just before entering St Jacques (1405m). Turn right at each intersection and reach the Alpette chalet (1h30). The path is in good condition, but reentering the forest on the way down may prove difficult in poor visibility (hidden entrance).

- Walk up to Col de la Baisse from le Chatel (or Villaret d'en Bas) and Coin du Chatel via the Carollier trail (see Le Chatel).

- From Saint Jacques (1405m), walk across the Alpettaz torrent and up the Bois Noir on a steep path the start of which is not very easy to find (stay near the stream). Towards 1900m, on coming out of the trees, turn left and cross the stream again. The Alpette chalet is just above, but still invisible. By traversing right from point 1900, you can reach the Platière coomb, Bonnet du Prêtre and Grand Coin via Cime de la Pallaz (unreasonably long and not very logical, so better done by unreasonable strong walkers!), or go up the Grand Crêt (much more reasonable, see route5).

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Grand Crêt and Cime de la Pallaz (5)

From the valley bottom

For hard men only (2200m of ascent). There are several possible combinations. For example go up the RTM path and one of the three access routes described above. Or take the Ladders' path from La Chambre (see La Chal) and climb up the Grand Coin's classic Chaussy route.

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