Grand Chavalard tour
From Jorasse, follow the trail leading to the Petit Pré alpine pasture (1,998 m). The path climbs gently to reach the Grand Pré d'Euloi, a charming grassy basin. Pastures and rocky terrain accompany you all the way to the Fenestral pass. From the col, enjoy a breathtaking view to the southwest of the majestic Mont Blanc massif. To the northeast, the Muverans, the faithful guardians of Ovronnaz, greet you.
The route then leads you along the shores of the upper Fully lake, and on to the alpine pasture, the colony, and the Sorniot hut. The Chavalard, a towering limestone fortress and the domain of ibexes and bearded vultures, rises like a sentinel to protect this enchanting valley.
After a glimpse of the lower Sorniot lake, the path follows the southern flank of the Grand Chavalard. This natural balcony overlooking the Rhône valley carves a spacious route between steep slopes, alpine meadows, and rocky walls. The final stretch crosses the eastern face of the Grand Chavalard, towering above the avalanche corridor of Etra. Nestled between the Grand’Garde-La Seya ridge and the Chavalard, the trail then leads back to the alpine pastures of Lui d’Août and Petit Pré. Follow the Tour path in reverse to return to Jorasse, and finally to Ovronnaz.
Access to the Tour via the Jorasse chairlift.
Car park at the start of the chairlift.
Catering: Jorasse mountain restaurant, Fenestral hut, Sorniot hut, Lui d'Août gîte.
Features
Length
15.70 km
Difficulty
Medium / T2-T3
Duration
6h00 (no break)
Height difference
+1127 m / -1127 m
Minimum altitude
1661 m
Maximum altitude
2453 m
Starting point
Jorasse arrival of the chairlift
Point of arrival
Jorasse arrival of the chairlift
Period
June to October depending on snow conditions
Did you know ?
Fenestral is a building that began life as a military facility. In 1956, Fully's Chavalard ski club reinvented it to meet its needs. Faced with its dilapidated and cramped condition, a new hut, the 2nd Fenestral, was built in 1980. The evolution continues with the 3rd Fenestral in 2015, the result of a necessary modernisation.
You can also explore the history of Lac Supérieur de Fully, an impressive gravity dam built in 1912 to meet the need for hydropower. Skillfully operated by Forces Motrices de Fully, this lake symbolises human ingenuity and the sustainable use of resources.
