Pic de Marcelly (1,999 m)

Trail specs

Distance6,2 km

Ascent+540 m

Descent-540 m

Average time3h00

DifficultyMedium

ExposurePas de l'Âne: exposed passage, hands required

Highest point1999 m

Lowest point1476 m

TypeLoop

TrailheadRoute du Planey, Praz-de-Lys, Taninges

IGN map3429ET Bonneville - Cluses

WaymarkingYellow waymarking

Water sourcesNo reliable water source. Carry 1.5 L.

Best seasonJune to October

GPSN 46.13190 / E 6.59274

GPX track · Pic de Marcelly (1,999 m)

Download the GPX file to follow the route on your GPS or phone. Works with Garmin, Suunto, Apple Watch and all major hiking apps.

3 Waypoints · 6,2 km · Loop

Download the GPX

Topographic map

Elevation profile

Waypoints

D

Planey ski lift (1,482 m)

Praz-de-Lys car park.

km 0,0 1482 m
1

Pointe de Marcelly (1999 m)

km 2,6 1999 m 1h23 from previous waypoint
A

Back to Planey (1,483 m)

Back to the trailhead.

km 6,2 1483 m 43 min from previous waypoint

Detailed route description

Start from the Planey ski lift at Praz-de-Lys (1,482 m). The climb first follows a pastoral track through the alpine meadows, then bends due south towards the ridge.

Reach the Pic de Marcelly (1,989 m) after about 2.6 km. The summit is equipped with an orientation table: on a clear day, the view embraces Mont-Blanc to the south-east, the Dents du Midi to the east, Lake Geneva to the north and the Chablais ridges.

The descent follows the Pas de l'Âne, an exposed passage of a few metres where hands on rock are needed. Nothing technically hard, but the drop on both sides calls for focus. Avoid in wet weather or with children unused to exposure.

The route then crosses the Pointe de la Couennasse (1,853 m) before descending through the pastures back to the Planey car park. The full loop is 6.18 km with 535 m of ascent.

Practical tips: carry 1.5 L of water per person (no reliable water source on the route), start early in summer to avoid afternoon storms, and favour the June to October window once the snow has left the ridges.