Table de pique nique un peu avant le Refuge de Varan

Published on 28 September 2017 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Chalets and Refuge de Varan

The Aiguille de Varan is one of the main peaks of the Sallanches valley, offering a magnificent view of the Mont Blanc Massif on one side and the Aravis Massif on the other. Given the difficulty, I propose not to climb it, but to walk to the Chalets and Refuge de Varan located at its base. The chalets can be reached either from the Plateau d’Assy (red track on the map) or from the Bay-le-Coudray car park (blue track on the map). Personally, I prefer the Coudray variant because it is much more pleasant than the Plateau d’Assy route, which offers few views of the surrounding mountains.

Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 1,620 m
Ascent: 1 hour 45 min from Plateau d’Assy / 1 hour 20 min from le Coudray
Descent: 0 hour 50 min to Plateau d’Assy / 0 hour 55 min to le Coudray
Elevation Gain: 580 meters from Plateau d’Assy / 490 m from le Coudray
Round-trip: 5.4 km from Plateau d’Assy / 5.5 km from le Coudray
Map:IGN 3530 ET. Route from Plateau d’Assy / from le Coudray

Getting There (departure at Plateau d’Assy)

The departure is located in the Plateau d’Assy, north of Passy. About fifty meters from the entrance to the Plateau d’Assy, turn left on a small road marked “Via Ferrata”. Continue on the track to the small car park.

GPS Coordinates (WGS 84) of the Starting Point: 45.936792, 6.694631

Getting There (departure at Bay-le-Coudray)

From Passy, go up to Bay then continue in the direction of Coudray and park on the second parking lot located at the end of the road.

GPS Coordinates (WGS 84) of the Starting Point: 45.937177, 6.682208

Ascent (from Plateau d’Assy)

The trail is quite wearisome in its first part. Quite steep, mostly in the undergrowth and offering a mixture of stones and tar, it rarely gives you glimpses of the surrounding peaks. After an hour, we arrive at the Chalets de Curralaz; the environment is transformed and the path, although steeper, becomes also much more pleasant: indeed, the eye lingers on the omnipresent Mont Blanc and, above the crest, on the Refuge de Varan perched at the edge of emptiness. The arrival on the plateau immediately makes you forget the effort of the climb. The view is striking on the Mont Blanc Massif, the Aravis Massif, the Pointe de Platé and the Pointe d’Anterne. The Aiguille de Varan dominates the plateau from all its height and one begins to follow the path that leads to its summit. However, it’s another much more challenging adventure on a dangerous trail with some climbing techniques when you reach the summit. This ascent is therefore reserved for experienced hikers.

Descent (to Plateau d’Assy)

Take the same route as depicted above.

Ascent (from Bay-le-Coudray)

From the car park, follow the direction of Les Chalets de Varan on the passable track going into the forest. This path is quite steep and describes some switchbacks. Later on, you arrive at a picnic table offering a splendid panorama of the Mont-Blanc Massif. Further on, you will find a sign indicating the direction of the take-off area for paragliders; from there, follow a small path on the right reaching the chalets in about ten minutes.