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Hiking : Aiguillette des Houches

Hiking : Aiguillette des Houches
Hiking : Aiguillette des Houches
Hiking : Aiguillette des Houches
Hiking : Aiguillette des Houches
Hiking : Aiguillette des Houches

Description

A magnificent hike in the heart of the Carlaveyron nature reserve. Magnificent panoramas of the Mont-Blanc massif, the wet meadows of Carlaveyron, the Fiz, the Aiguilles Rouges, all the way to Le Buet.

A panoramic hike par excellence, the Aiguillette des Houches is a superb vantage point for observing the Mont Blanc massif.

Although challenging, the ascent through the Chailloux mountain pastures is surrounded by beautiful green landscapes, right in front of the Bossons glacier, Europe's largest icefall.

The arrival at the Aiguillette des Houches will 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 journey takes you to the heart of the Plateau de Carlaveyron, a nature reserve characterized by its many waterholes nestled between the relief.

You'll then make your way to the Bellachat refuge, a superb vantage point overlooking the Chamonix valley. Here you can take time out for a bite to eat, overlooking the Toit de l'Europe.

On departure or arrival, you can discover the Parc Merlet, a wildlife park where you and your family can observe the typical wildlife of our mountains (marmots, ibex, chamois, etc.).

Technical Information

Walking
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
5h
Dist.
12 km
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Altimetric profile

Starting point

Parking du Parc Merlet, 549 Route de la Flatière , 74310   Les Houches
Lat : 45.906322Lng : 6.820299

Points of interest

image du object

Carlaveyron Nature Reserve

Nestled at the southern end of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, in the commune of Les Houches, the Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron is home to a mosaic of environments favorable to numerous species.The Carlaveyron Nature Reserve is located at the southern end of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, in the commune of Les Houches. Its 598 hectares have been protected since 1991. The Carlaveyron plateau is a veritable sanctuary of biodiversity. The altitude, relief and soil conditions are conducive to the development of wetlands: peat bogs, low marshes and ponds. These environments are home to the Cordulie des Alpes, a dragonfly emblematic of high-altitude wetlands, as well as remarkable plants such as the Droséra, the Rubanier à feuilles étroites and the Laîche de Magellan - a rare plant found in France only in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Amphibians such as the Red-legged Frog and the Alpine Newt also find refuge here; the latter is dressed in its nuptial finery of glowing red hues as breeding approaches. In fine weather, ibex and chamois come to feed and quench their thirst. At the upper limit of the forest, black grouse move between blueberry and rhododendron moors and alpine meadows. Further down, the beech-fir forest of the Diosaz gorges hides rare and protected species. In the wet valleys, shady ravines and moss-covered gneiss walls, the Lynx shares its territory with insects that love dead wood, the Hazel Grouse, the Golden Eagle and the discreet Three-toed Woodpecker. Regulations : - Dogs prohibited - Garbage prohibited - Fires prohibited - Flower picking prohibited - Overflight prohibited - Camping prohibited, reservations required for bivouacs - All sound equipment prohibited - Inscriptions on rocks, markings and signs prohibited - All advertising referring to the nature reserve is prohibited - Work prohibited, including the installation of new climbing routes

- OT Chamonix -
Consulter

Date and time

  • From 15/05/2027 to 15/10/2027

Additional information

Open period

From 15/05 to 15/10.

Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.

Updated by

Conseil Départemental de la Haute-Savoie - 26/05/2026
hautesavoiemontblanc-tourisme.com/
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Environments

Mountain view
Panoramic view
Mountain location
In a nature reserve

Contact

Phone : 04 50 53 00 24

Email : info@chamonix.com

Website : https://www.chamonix.com

Type of land

Stone
Ground
Not suitable for strollers

Location complements

From Les Houches, follow signs for Parc Merlet.
Park in the Parc Merlet parking lot

Topo guides and map references

Map references :
TOP 25 IGN 3630 OT

Reception complements

Whatever your hike, remember to pack cereal bars, plenty of water, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small first-aid kit, and clothing appropriate to the season and weather forecast.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

1/ From the Parking de Merlet (Amont), take the left-hand path at the "Aiguillette des Houches" sign, winding up through the woods before skirting the Merlet park. Then take the path rising to the left towards "Chalets de Chailloux - Aiguillette des Houches".

2/ Once you've reached the Chalets de Chailloux, continue on the path up through the mountain pastures. The itinerary continues through a beautiful combe abutting the Aiguillette des Houches, then a short, steep climb to a pass before arriving at the Aiguillette des Houches.

3/ Continue the loop by following the path through the Tourbières de Carlaveyron to the Refuge de Bellachat. Keep to the right of the two paths leading to the Aiguillette du Brévent.

4/ From the Refuge de Bellachat, descend through the Vouillouds ravine and then the Lappaz ravine towards Merlet. After crossing the Lappaz torrent, leave the path leading down to the left towards the "Merlet" sign, to join the intersection with the path towards "Chalets de Chailloux - Aiguillette des Houches" taken earlier. Return to the Parc Merlet parking lot by the same route as on the outward journey.

Animals

No. Dogs, even on a leash, are forbidden in the Carlaveyron nature reserve.

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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾