The irresistible Aravis range!

Irresistible Aravis range!

Emblematic, aesthetic, fascinating and attractive all at once, the Aravis range offers an exceptional panorama in every season, among the most beautiful and spectacular in the French Alps, all within easy reach of a village!

It’s the picture postcard par excellence, and you’ll never tire of admiring this juxtaposition of combes, sculpted by erosion, each different from the next yet with astonishing regularity.

A little geography and geology

It is made up of limestone (bars and cliffs) and more or less clayey marl (grassy slopes).
Let’s situate this range in the various massifs of the Alps. At the centre of everything are the central massifs: the granite needle is the symbol, as in the Mont-Blanc massif. All around these central massifs, the layers of different compositions that covered them have slipped away and been crushed. Shales, sandstones and conglomerates give these summits all their forms of relief. Deposits of different materials at the bottom of the sea generated layers of marl and limestone. Moments of extension and compression have folded these different layers. From these folds, erosion has sculpted ridges, valleys, lapiaz and grooves.

Natura 2000 sites

Lapiaz? Grooves?

Lapiaz is a surface geological formation in limestone rock, created by rainwater runoff dissolving the rock. These formations, with asperities that can be sharp, are criss-crossed by numerous gullies, cracks and crevices of varying size, some of which can reach several metres.

A groove is a regular furrow or ridge, of varying width and depth, carved by glacial erosion. It is a geological formation found mainly on vertical walls.

Its peaks and valleys

The highest point in the Aravis mountain range is the majestic Pointe Percée at 2750 m. Here’s a list of the main peaks and valleys in the northern part of the Grand-Bornand range, so that you and your family and friends don’t run out of ideas for your next trip to the resort.

Try it out!

Alpine playground!

Of course, it is a fabulous alpine playground for everyone, whatever the season, amid the lapiaz and other grooves carved into the rock by erosion: hiking, major climbing routes, ski touring, mountaineering,…

In summer, as in winter, each combe has its own route and summit from which you can admire a unique panorama of Mont Blanc and its massif. You can enjoy walks with your family or friends, and why not take a picnic break on the shores of the Tardevant lake.

©E19 85 Randonnee Esprits Outdoor Le Grand Bornand

The Great Arabesque

In summer, the more experienced can tackle “La Grande Arabesque”, a series of five major climbing routes, from La Mamule to La Pointe Percée, or take up the challenge in winter of the “De fond en combes” itinerary, which allows you to ski in three different combes with two north-facing couloirs – great atmosphere guaranteed!

The wealth of fauna and flora in the massif will also be a perfect addition to your mountain escapades.

What you need to know

The Pointe Percée really is pierced! There is indeed a hole under its North/North-East ridge. A climbing route, the “Voie du trou” even allows you to cross it.
The Pointe Percée also has its “doigt”, a rocky point on this same ridge also called the “Arête du doigt”, a very beautiful climb that leads to the summit.
Another natural curiosity to discover summer and winter alike, the “Trou de la Mouche”! A very aesthetic passage under a rocky arch that connects the combe de Grand Crêt to the combe de Paccaly.
The Aravis range also hides little secret passages for venturing on its south-east side with notably the “Porte des Aravis” at the top of the Combe de la Creuse, the “Passage du Père” at the top of the combe de Paccaly or the “Passage de la Grande Forclaz” at the top of the combe of the same name.
This same combe de la Grande Forclaz is also the narrowest combe in the chain.
On 10 March 1817, a major avalanche from the combe de Tardevant swept many coniferous trees down to the valley. The trees were sawn into planks in the spring, and so began the trade in planks and timber.
In 1848, the newspaper l’Echo du Mont-Blanc reported the ascent of the Pointe Percée by a pious caravan led by Canon Pasquier.
In 1903, Genecand and Cevey made the 1st ascent of the Pointe Percée finger.
Two refuges welcome you at the foot of the combes and summits:
- Refuge de la Bombardellaz at the foot of combe de Tardevant
- Refuge de la pointe Percée (Gramusset) at the foot of pointe Percée
As soon as possible, all you have to do is take the plunge to explore this formidable Aravis range at your own pace and according to your desires!