Duration
6.15 am
Difficulty
Very difficult
distance
13.1 km
elevation gain
1,044 m elevation gain
Departure
Corbier Tourist Office
a timeless escape
Information about the route
Montcharvin Fonduerando Pnyphotographie 47
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Breathtaking viewsbreath
Fancy taking on a real challenge whilst treating yourself to a timeless escape? Mont Charvin is the place for you.
This impressive mountain, unusual and instantly recognisable with its green ‘cap’ that could almost make you think it’s a volcano, is well worth the effort: a long ascent, technical sections and a demanding descent make up this route, which is sure to delight hikers seeking a thrill.
But beyond the physical challenge, it is above all an invitation to escape: as you climb, civilisation gradually fades away, giving way to unspoilt, wild nature.
At the summit, a breathtaking and unique view rewards every step, creating a hiking memory you won’t forget in a hurry.
A day of adventure in the high mountains, where every step counts on the way to the snow-capped peaks.
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Montcharvin Fonduerando Pnyphotographie 64
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A well-deserved break for these two friends, who are well on their way up, as they take in the breathtaking view.
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The route
From the Corbier Tourist Office, walk past the buildings towards the bottom of the resort, then pass below the Alpages du Corbier holiday complex until you reach the sign reading ‘No entry except for local access’. Carry on to the hamlet of Le Cruet, then past the Sainte-Philomène chapel, and follow the path down through the trees.
At the bottom of the path, turn right towards the Œillette picnic area. At the next junction, follow the signs for Œillette. Just before reaching the picnic area, turn right towards the Col de la Louvière / Mont Charvin loop: this is where the ascent really begins, with an initial climb through the forest.
A sign directs you to turn left: follow the path and cross a small valley before rejoining the track that climbs towards the Col de la Louvière. At the pass, continue along the path, following the small yellow signs with black arrows that mark the route.
You will then come to a gate: open the wooden gate and don’t forget to close it behind you! From there, there are no more signposts until you reach the summit: stay on course and enjoy the climb, taking in the view of the ‘Demoiselles Coiffées’ – those impressive fairy chimneys that line the path just before the summit.
Once at the summit, it’s time for the descent towards the Col d’Arves. Caution: this section is technical and slippery. Feel free to stop as often as you like; it will give you a chance to catch your breath whilst admiring the scenery.
At the Col d’Arves, head down to the right towards La Baye – Le Corbier, and follow the path until you reach the junction by the forest therapy centre.
Then head back up via Le Cruet to return to Le Corbier via the lower part of the resort.
Although the walk starts from Le Corbier, part of Mont Charvin lies within the boundaries of Fontcouverte-la-Toussuire, a very large commune comprising sixteen hamlets. This is further proof that this walk takes you through a rich and varied landscape, well beyond the resort’s boundaries.
Good to know
Highlights of the walk
An immersionin the wilderness
As you climb, the landscape changes, drawing you ever deeper into unspoilt nature. The path begins under a canopy of trees, amongst larch and fir, before giving way to alpine pastures and then to grassy slopes at higher altitudes.
This diversity of habitats is home to a wealth of flora and fauna: wildflowers, chamois and ibex are a regular feature along the route, provided you keep your eyes peeled.
Once past the gate of the final enclosure, the path takes you into an even wilder setting, far from any trace of civilisation. This sense of isolation, rare on the region’s trails, gives this hike a special quality: here, only the wind, the landscape and the silence of the peaks keep you company.
The name ‘Charvin’ is said to come from the Savoyard patois and to mean ‘bald’, in reference to its bare summit, as if it were missing its peak.
The summit of Mont Charvin
After all that effort, it’s time to be awestruck! At an altitude of 2,207 metres, reaching the summit of Mont Charvin is a real highlight of the hike. From this natural vantage point, the panorama opens out across the surrounding peaks, offering spectacular views of the Aiguilles d’Arves, the Étendard and the Grand Agnelin.
Below, La Toussuire and Le Corbier are revealed against their mountain backdrop, allowing you to fully appreciate the landscapes you’ve passed through during the ascent. Take a few moments to enjoy this exceptional view, breathe in the fresh air and savour the satisfaction of having reached the summit.
Mont Charvin is also a favourite haunt of wildlife. If you keep quiet and watch the grassy slopes carefully, you might be lucky enough to spot a chamois or an ibex moving across the hillside. It’s always a special encounter, reminding us that these vast open spaces are, first and foremost, their home.
A little extra tip: don’t forget to take one last look around you before starting your descent. The landscapes sometimes take on a whole new dimension from the summit, and every direction reveals a new panorama.
The Young Ladies with Hairstylesan amazing spectacle of nature
An open-air work of art!
As you approach the summit, the path runs alongside the Combe Génin and reveals a landscape that is surprising to say the least: the Demoiselles Coiffées.
These astonishing fairy chimneys, naturally shaped by erosion over time, stand out against the landscape like veritable mineral sculptures.
Take the time to stop and admire their unique shapes and appreciate how nature has patiently shaped this landscape.
This unusual stretch also offers a lovely contrast to the alpine pastures that accompany you throughout the hike.
A quick photography tip:
Make the most of this stage to take a break and capture these unique geological formations on camera before continuing your ascent to the summit.
How are fairy chimneys formed?
Fairy chimneys are true natural sculptures, gradually shaped by the elements. In the Alps, they are most commonly formed from ancient glacial moraines: layers of loosely consolidated sediment, often quite crumbly, protected in places by a much harder stone or boulder.
This natural ‘cap’ acts like a small roof: it protects the layers directly beneath it from the effects of rain, wind, frost and thaw. All around, the more fragile parts continue to erode and disappear gradually.
Over the years, and then the centuries, the landscape hollows out around the protected area. A column of earth and rock then gradually takes shape, topped by its famous ‘cap’: this is how a fairy chimney is formed!
And the spectacle continues to this day: these formations evolve in step with erosion; some grow taller, whilst others eventually disappear when their cap is no longer sufficient to protect them.
View from the summit of Mont Charvin
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A couple of hikers are enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites, amongst cliffs and snow-capped peaks.
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