Chalets de Plate via Passage du Derochoir
7
Overall rating
Good
Length
14.7km
Elevation + / -
1201m / 1201m
Trail type
Loop
When to go
Mid Jun - Start Oct
Hike duration
5.0 - 8.0 Hours
Altitude Range
1244m / 2354m
Technical level
Very Difficult (5/5)
Natural beauty
Very Nice (4/5)
Run duration
3.0 - 5.0 Hours
Families
15+ Years old
Dogs
No Dogs
Provision Sources
3 Restaurants
Contributors:
This is a shorter version of the Tour des Fiz where you still get to experience the Desert de Plate and the Refuge de Plate and see the views from on top of the cliffs above Servoz and Plateau d'Assy. The trail takes you from Plaine Joux to Ayeres des Rocs and then a very rocky and scenic route takes you to the very steep cliff passage of Derochoir. This is pretty spectacular with ropes and metal railings enabling you to scale the cliff and reach the top. Definitely not something you can do with young kids or dogs. From the passage du Derochoir you will have a nice view all around you. In front you will be a view towards Refuge de Sales and behind you a pretty great view over the Sallanches Valley and Mont Blanc. From Derochoir you will climb up to the Col de la Portette before descending to the Chalets de Plate. From there a fairly steep and rocky passage will bring you down from the cliffs and back to the plateau below it. From there its a horizontal traverse back to Plaine Joux. Overall a pretty diverse and spectacular route and a quicker way of seeing a large part of the Tour des Fiz
Photos of this Trail
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Trail Directions & Safety Considerations
Children
15+ Years old
Dogs
There is a vertical cliff that you will climb using rope and handholds. You cannot bring your dog here!
When to Go
Mid Jun - Start Oct
Risk Considerations & Difficulty Assessment
This route reaches an altitude of 2354m at the Col de la Portette. The route has highly technical parts and should really only be undertaken when the trails are completely snow free. The Passage du Derochoir uses ladders and ropes to make you scale the cliff face and you should never try this with snow and ice making this a slippery affair. I would generally recommend this route from mid June to the start of October but you need to check the conditions ahead of time. The Refuge de Plate could be a good source of local information if they are open. The trails are well marked and not hard to navigate. The main waypoints are Ayeres des Rocs, Derochoir, Col de la Portette, Chalets de Plate and Plaine Joux. The trails themselves are highly technical and the ropes and metal handrails at the Passage du Derochoir are probably the steepest I have experienced in and around Chamonix.
Trail Starting Point
The Trail starts at Plaine Joux where you can park your car. There are also bus connections to Plaine Joux from Servoz and Passy.
Trail Directions
Head east from Plaine Joux and make your way up the 4x4 track towards Barmus, You will pass an orientation table. Keep going east till you reach Ayeres des Rocs. Stay on the 4x4 track and you will see the trail marker for Derochoir. Take this trail to make your way up the slope towards the cliffs. This trail will have a large of large rocks and its very scenic. The Passage du Derochoir is very steep and there will be ropes and metal handrails to assist you in making your way up. Once you reach the top head westward towards de Col de la Portette. From there make your way down to the Chalets de Plate where there is a refuge serving snacks and drinks if they are open. From Chalets de Plate head south towards the steep path taking you down from the plateau. Once you reach the 4x4 track you can make your way back to Plaine Joux
Points of Interest for this Trail
We have a large database of all of the points of interests in and around Chamonix. These are the points of interest you will find along this trail:
3D Map & GPS
Trail Route Map & GPS
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3D Map of this Trail
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