The irresistible Aravis range!

At once iconic, beautiful, fascinating and alluring, 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 the village!

It is the quintessential postcard view, and one never tires of admiring this juxtaposition of valleys, sculpted by erosion, each one different yet astonishingly uniform.

A bit of geography and geology

Designated a ‘Natura 2000 site’ since 2006, the Aravis range is part of the subalpine ranges, situated in the Pre-Alps within the Bornes-Aravis massif. It straddles Haute-Savoie (western slope) and Savoie (eastern slope), halfway between Annecy and Chamonix. Running north-east to south-west, it stretches for nearly 30 km between Magland (near Cluses) in the north and Marlens (near Faverges) in the south. It is divided into two parts (north and south) by the Col des Aravis, which cuts across it from east to west.

It consists of limestone (ridges and cliffs) and more or less clayey marl (grassy slopes).
Let us situate this range within the various massifs of the Alps. At the heart of it all lie the central massifs: the granite spire is their symbol, as in the Mont Blanc massif. All around these central massifs, the layers of varying composition that once covered them have slipped and been crushed. Schist, sandstone and conglomerate give these peaks their varied relief. Deposits of various materials on the seabed formed layers of marl and limestone. Periods of extension and compression folded these different layers. Erosion has sculpted ridges, valleys, lapiaz and grooves from these folds.

Natura 2000 sites

Lapiaz? Grooves?

Lapiaz is a surface geological formation found in limestone, created by rainwater runoff that dissolves the rock. These formations, which can have sharp, jagged edges, are criss-crossed by numerous channels, fissures and crevices of varying sizes, some of which can be several metres wide.

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

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Sommets Des Aravis 223087
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david machet

Its peaks and valleys

The highest point in the Aravis range is the majestic Pointe Percée, which rises to 2,750 metres. To ensure you’re fully up to speed with family or friends during your next stay in Le Grand-Bornand, here is a list of the main peaks and valleys in its northern section.

Have a go!

An alpine playground!

Naturally, it offers a fabulous alpine playground for everyone, whatever the season, amidst the lapiaz and other grooves carved into the rock by erosion: hiking, multi-pitch climbing, ski touring, mountaineering…

In summer and winter alike, every valley has its own route and summit from which you can admire a unique panorama of Mont Blanc and its massif. Enjoy walks with family or friends, perhaps with a picnic break by Lake Tardevant.

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E19 85 Randonnee Esprits Outdoor Le Grand Bornand

The Great Arabesque

In summer, the most experienced climbers can tackle “La Grande Arabesque”, a series of five multi-pitch routes stretching from La Mamule to La Pointe Percée, or take on the winter challenge of the “De fond en combes”, which allows you to ski in three different valleys, with two north-facing couloirs on offer – a great atmosphere guaranteed!

The rich variety of flora and fauna in the massif will also perfectly complement your mountain getaways.

What you need to know

Pointe Percée really is pierced! There is indeed a hole beneath its north/north-east ridge. A climbing route, the “Voie du trou”, even allows you to cross through it.
Pointe Percée also has its “finger”, a rocky outcrop on this same ridge, also known as the “Arête du doigt”, a beautiful climb leading to the summit.
Another natural curiosity to discover in both summer and winter is the “Trou de la Mouche”! A very picturesque passage under a rock arch that connects the Combe de Grand Crêt to the Combe de Paccaly.
The Aravis range also hides small secret passages for venturing onto its south-eastern slope, notably the “Porte des Aravis” at the top of the Combe de la Creuse, the “Passage du Père” at the top of the Paccaly valley, and the “Passage de la Grande Forclaz” at the top of the valley of the same name.
This same Combe de la Grande Forclaz is also the narrowest valley in the range.
On 10 March 1817, a major avalanche originating from the Combe de Tardevant swept numerous conifers along its path down into the valley. The trees were sawn into planks in the spring, and this is how the trade in planks and timber began.
In 1848, the newspaper L’Echo du Mont-Blanc reported on the ascent of the Pointe Percée by a religious group led by Canon Pasquier.
In 1903, Genecand and Cevey made the first ascent of the Pointe Percée.
Two mountain huts welcome you at the foot of the valleys and summits:
- Refuge de la Bombardellaz at the foot of the Tardevant valley
- Refuge de la Pointe Percée (Gramusset) at the foot of Pointe Percée
As soon as you can, all that remains is for you to take the plunge and explore this magnificent Aravis range at your own pace and according to your own wishes!