La Tournette

The summit of La Tournette: a must-see above the lake

The particular shape of the summit earned it the name of "armchair". The Tournette link is also a major site for the practice of speleology. In winter, you can go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The ascent of the Tournette from the bay of Talloires is a sporting event which brings together hiking and trail enthusiasts every year since 1996. Apart from this event, the ascent of the mountain is the subject of two hiking routes: l 'one from Les Clefs, which allows you to reach the summit in 3 hours via the Rosairy refuge; the other from the Montmin valley, which goes up to the tip of the Bajulaz. Hiking on the Tourette is an opportunity to meet and approach ibex.

Hiking: the ascent of the Tournette

A must-see hike in the Annecy region, the ascent of the Tourette is traditionally done via the Col de l'Aulp. 17 km from the L’Idéal campsite, on the heights of Talloires, it can be reached by car in around half an hour. The chalet's parking lot is often full and is joined by a steep, unpaved path. It is therefore possible to park upstream, at Prés Ronds, and reach the chalet de l'Aulp on foot: in this case, take around thirty minutes more!

The hike is done over a whole day: with 9 km one way and as much on the return, it will take you at least 5 hours: about 3 hours to go up and at least 2 hours to go down. A signpost marks the start of the hike next to the chalet de l'Aulp.
 
Plan a steep ascent from the first kilometers, but also very early a sublime panorama on the lake. A view that you can fully enjoy on your return, since it will then be in front of you and no longer behind.

A good hour's walk takes you to the Blonay-Dufour refuge, at an altitude of 1774 meters. This first part can also be the subject of a shorter hike for walkers who would leave later or who are accompanied by children for example.
 
The second part of the hike will be more technical. Some passages are fitted with ladders or hanging chains. Some slippery rocks require vigilance.

After the Châtelard stone, a rock with a picturesque shape, the path runs along a high cliff: a passage which can be unpleasant for people prone to vertigo. After some other technical passages, the summit can be reached. To climb to the very top of the granite “armchair”, a ladder is arranged in the rock. In high season, you sometimes have to queue to climb it.
 
The arrival at the top is ideal for a break: the 360 ​​° panorama is breathtaking.
 
After about 2 hours of walking for the descent, the chalet de l'Aulp awaits you finally to eat a cold drink or a well-deserved snack.