Are peaks above 3,000 meters reserved for mountaineers? No way. Many mountains above this iconic height in the Alps and Pyrenees are accessible in summer without ropes, crampons, ice axes or other special equipment. Equipped with a reinforced tourist panel, anyone with sufficient physical fitness can do it.
Why try the adventure? First, because this type of ascent offers landscapes that are impossible to contemplate lower down. Passing the threshold of 2500 m, we leave the mass of the surrounding mountains and enter a high place. The gaze rubs shoulders with the highest rocky and glacial peaks. From 3000 m, the horizon opens up to unique perspectives, about a hundred kilometers. These “3000 campaigns” must be earned. Most require at least 1,300 meters of elevation to reach their summit. A shelter on the trail allows you to split the walk into two parts most of the time. This is not a luxury, because from 2300 meters oxygen becomes scarce, reducing our physical abilities. The relief changes, becomes mineral and rugged. Wind, cold and sun are more piercing. Among dozens of “trekking” peaks of 3,000 meters or more in France and Europe, we have chosen five for the variety of their routes and the beauty of their surroundings.
Mont Buet (Haute-Savoie, 3096 m)
Total height. + 1900 m
Total distance. 19 km
A possible step. Refuge de la Pierre in Berar
Map: IGN Top 25 3630 Chamonix-Mont Blanc
Nicknamed “Mont Blanc des Dames”, Mont Buet is a dome of snow and stone located in the Guiffre massif in Haute-Savoie. It overlooks Mont Blanc and the Aigle de Chamonix and dominates the Fies and Aigle Rouge mountain ranges.
The most accessible route to reach its summit starts from Le Couterra (1350 m), at the bottom of the Chamonix valley. The first part, up to the Pierre à Bérard shelter (1924 m) is family. the road climbs through a forest with different types of wood before meeting Berar Falls and the eponymous torrent. The exit from the forest coincides with the meeting with the first ibex, which have not been scared away by humans in this reserve. After the shelter, the road remains well marked. It climbs steeply to the west, reaching the Col de Salenton (2498m). The hiker faces the small glaciers of Annul, Bogan and Berard, which are mainly dominated by Aiguille Verte (4122m) and Aiguille d’Argentière (3900m). After a long, easy pass under the Aiguille de Salenton, the trail attacks the final climb on a steep and straight path. At the end of it, the summit is very close. The broad shoulder, a mixture of snow and black stone, leads its conquerors there.
Aiguille de la Grande Sassière (Savoie, 3747 m)
Total height. + 1500 m
Total distance. 12 km
A possible step. no
Map: IGN TOP25 3532 ET Les Arcs – La Plagne
The Aiguille de la Grande Sassière is one of the highest 3000 in Europe accessible without mountaineering equipment. It owes its peculiar geology to the Devonian peak, which is led by a broad shoulder devoid of glaciers. However, it is necessary to wait for the complete snow clearing of the mountain range, and the ascent continues to be demanding due to the height.
Departure from Les Arsets car park (2300m), halfway between Val d’Isère and Tignes. From Plan de la Casette, the trail quickly leaves the mountain pastures, climbing into the rock. Still continuing northeast, you climb several rocky outcroppings without the trouble of using your hands. 3000 m altitude is crossed and there is still 1.5 km to reach the edge of the Glacier de la Saussière. Leaving this one on your left, you continue on flat ground before a steep final climb on black shale. There you need to slow down to adjust to the low availability of oxygen in the air and to stay well hydrated. Reaching the top is a real treat with a 360° panoramic view of the peaks of Vanoise, Mont Pourry, Mont Blanc and Grand Parade.
Mount Chaberton (Hautes-Alpes, 3131 m)
Total height. + 1300 m
Total distance. 14.5 km
A possible step. no
Map: IGN TOP 25 3536 OT Briançon / Serre Chevalier / Montgenèvre
Long strategic from a military point of view, Mont Chaberton has been French for only 75 years. Accessible without technical difficulties, its summit lends itself particularly well to bivouacs.
The departure point, Mont Chabert, is in Montgenèvre (1850m), very close to Briançon and a few hundred meters from the Italian border. We first walk along the lower valley path heading north before turning right to the Col du Chaberton (2674m). There, a steep switchback climb offers up ahead of you to the summit. Be sure to hydrate well as there is no more shade or source of water. The fortress built at a height of 500 meters is revealed. The eight concrete towers were erected by the Italians in 1898 and nicknamed the “Battleship of the Clouds”, it was brought out of danger by the French in 1940 in just 24 hours. . Its ruined towers, looking down on an unseen enemy, give the place an atmosphere Tartar desert By Dino Buzzati. Why not spend the night there to immerse yourself in it? On the flat ground, the tent opens to the sunrise.
Mas de la Grave peak (High Alps, 3020 m)
Total height. + 1250 m
Total distance. 23 km
A possible step. Shepherd’s yurt, Refuge du Pic du Mas de la Grave
Map: IGN Top 25 3435ET Valloire / Aiguille d’Arves / Col du Galibier
Still relatively little known, the Pic du Mas de la Grave (not to be confused with the Pic de la Grave) is set on the fabled peaks of La Meije (3984m) and Aiguilles d’Arves (3514m) in an environment shaped by nature. water The summit is reached after a long approach in the Ga valley.
The classic route starts from the village of Chazelle (1800m), overlooking La Grave. We ascend the northwestern valley along the wide path following the Ga torrent, already in a treeless environment. Quite tiring, this section can be done faster thanks to the mountain bike that we will hide at the beginning of the difficulties. At 2000m we cross the river to reach Barrack de la Buffet and the ascent begins. The surrounding slopes are marked by the passage of water, which lines the land in deep lines. As the tall grass gives way to pebbles, we set foot on the summit. Fairly wide, it’s not too open and the route is obvious. The summit is one of the most beautiful cable cars in the Alps. in the south, Ecrins, La Meije, Rato, and the Glacier de la Girosa in the foreground. to the east, the three needles of Arves; and in the north, Mont Blanc visible on sunny days.
Head of Frema (Alpes de Haute-Provence, 3151 m)
Total height. + 1250 m
Total distance. 20.5 km
A possible step. Chambeyron Hut
Map: IGN Top 25 3538 RT – Aiguille de Chambeyron / Larche and Vars passes
In the heart of the Southern Alps, the Tête de la Fréma dominates the Lac des Neuf Couleurs, nestled in the heart of an ochre-toned cirque. Referring to the border with Italy, this hike is not technically very difficult, but quite long.
From the village of Fouillouse (1910 m) there are two possibilities to climb to the Chambeiro shelter or the Lac des Neuf Couleurs. The first is to take the GR5, which heads east to the valley floor, then climb the rather steep GR de Pays Tour du Chambeyron. The alternative offers the opposite, first a steep ascent with a switchback before a long transition to the refuge (2620m) near Lac Premier. If you still have some in your legs, continue to Lac des Neuf Couleurs (2841m), where many bivouacs are possible. The cirque atmosphere is mineral, with a succession of sharp and vertical teeth from the north (Pointe d’Aval, Aiguille de Chambeyron and Pointe des Cirques) and the Tête de la Fréma and Pointe du fond de Chambeyron to the east. The goal is reached without much difficulty and allows you to contemplate the Italian valleys and Monte Viso in the distance.
Source: Le Figaro
