Aiguillette des Houches
1/ From the Merlet car park (Upstream), follow the path to the left at the level of the “Aiguillette des Houches” sign, climbing in laces in the woods before skirting the Merlet park. Then, take the path rising to the left, in the direction of “Chalets de Chailloux – Aiguillette des Houches”.
2/ Arriving at the Chalets de Chailloux, continue on the path rising through the middle of the mountain pastures. The route continues in a beautiful valley butting up against the Aiguillette des Houches, then a short, fairly steep climb up to a pass before arriving at the Aiguillette des Houches.
3/ Continue the loop following the path in the middle of the Carlaveyron Peatlands to the Bellachat Refuge. Leave the two paths going to the right towards the Aiguillette du Brévent.
4/ At the Bellachat Refuge, go back down crossing the Vouillouds ravine then the Lappaz ravine towards Merlet. After crossing the Lappaz torrent, leave the path going down to the left towards the “Merlet” post, to reach the intersection between the path towards “Chalets de Chailloux – Aiguillette des Houches” taken earlier. The return to the Parc Merlet car park then takes the same route as the outward journey.
Route details
Description
Although strenuous, the climb through the Chailloux mountain pastures takes place in the middle of beautiful green landscapes, just opposite the Bossons glacier, the largest ice waterfall in Europe.
The arrival at the Aiguillette des Houches will finally reward your efforts, with an exceptional 360° panorama: on one side the imposing cliffs of the Fiz chain and the Aiguilles Rouges, on the other the Mont Blanc Massif.
The return will take you to the heart of the Plateau de Carlaveyron, a nature reserve characterized by its numerous water points nestled between the reliefs.
You then walk to the Bellachat refuge, a superb view point over the Chamonix Valley. You can then take the time for a break to eat in front of the Roof of Europe.
On departure or arrival, you can discover Parc Merlet, an animal park allowing the family to observe wild fauna typical of our mountains (marmots, ibexes, chamois, etc.).
