Les cornettes de bise sur La Chapelle-D'Abondance

A fantastic tour for experienced hikers, especially if you do it counter-clockwise! The parking lot at Parking de l'abri des Chevennes offers ample parking, making parking a breeze. From there, the trail leads past the Chalets de la Cheneau and the Pas de la Bosse to the Pointe des Trois Hommes, then up to the summit of the Cornettes de Bise. This ascent through the striking limestone of the Chablais region is a solid T3 to T4 difficulty, requiring good coordination and sure-footedness, and offering fantastic, easy climbing sections that are incredibly enjoyable. A word of caution: many hikers on the trail were visibly surprised by the steepness and scrambling – this tour should not be underestimated or considered a purely family-friendly hike! Upon reaching the top, you're rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the snow-capped Mont Blanc massif. The return from the summit via the easy Pas de Chaudin back to the parking lot was a relaxed T2 hike, perfect for the descent. Absolute recommendation in this direction for everyone with alpine experience. +++ Fantastic trail for experienced hikers, especially when done counter-clockwise! Parking at Parking de l'abri des Chevennes had plenty of spaces, so parking was completely hassle-free. From there, the route heads up via Chalets de la Cheneau and Pas de la Bosse towards Pointe des Trois Hommes, leading straight to the summit of Cornettes de Bise. This ascent through the striking Chablais limestone has a solid T3–T4 difficulty rating, requiring good coordination and sure-footedness while delivering awesome scrambling sections that are pure fun. Warning: Many hikers we encountered were clearly caught off guard by the steepness and scrambling-this route should definitely not be underestimated or planned as a casual family stroll! Once at the top, you're rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of Lake Geneva and the snow-capped Mont Blanc massif. The way back from the summit via the easy Pas de Chaudin down to the parking lot is relaxed T2 terrain, making it an ideal descent. Highly recommended in this direction for anyone with alpine experience.

A challenging hike, but well worth the effort! We were a group of 11 friends for this weekend in the mountains, and only two of us ended up reaching the summit of the Cornettes de Bise. It must be said that while the beginning of the trail is relatively accessible, the final section becomes significantly more difficult and requires good physical fitness as well as a bit of caution. But once at the summit… what a reward! The 360° view is absolutely breathtaking. The panorama of Lake Geneva, the mountains, and all the surrounding peaks is simply incredible. It's a feast for the eyes, and you quickly forget the effort of the climb. The trails and surrounding area are very well maintained, and the natural setting is magnificent. We spent the night at the Refuge de Bise, which I also highly recommend for its warm welcome and friendly staff. The next day, we continued our hike via the Col de Bise before descending back to Saint-Gingolph. A wonderful weekend with friends and a hike we'll remember for a long time. If you have the skill level and the conditions are good, the summit of the Cornettes de Bise is definitely worth the trip. We will certainly be back!

Starting from the village of La Chapelle d'Abondance, there's a lovely walk to be had. From the town hall, take the GR5 trail along the Chévenne road to a parking area at the end of the paved road. From there, you'll have a stunning view of the Cornettes de Bise peaks, which reach 2432m, and the alpine pastures where Abondance cows graze. You might even spot marmots, ibex, chamois, or mouflon...

An excellent place for a meal with friends (or family). The staff were very welcoming, energetic, and professional. Everything was perfect, with beautiful weather. To aid digestion, take a stroll through Gaby's Museum next door. It houses some very beautiful and unusual items, such as the Dahu skeleton.

Loop hike from Bise: More dangerous than difficult. Sections require scrambling, including one where you absolutely have to carry your dog over a sheer drop. There's another section where it's best to use a rope (and there are ropes available on the rock face). The trail is poorly marked in places, and you really start to wonder about the route or the condition of the path. There are sections with melting snow (even at the end of June), which is also dangerous. I don't recommend it alone, not with a dog unless you have someone to help you, not without prior knowledge of the area, and not without proper equipment. I'm surprised that no hiking apps mention the real danger and the importance of equipment. The worst hike of my life, and I've been hiking for 20 years. And the only one where I seriously considered calling for help. Thanks to the wonderful people I met who helped and guided me. The view is truly beautiful, but there are far more breathtaking views in the region. And they don't put your life in danger. Drawback: no trash cans available at the start. Not ideal for picking up after your dog. There is a way to reach Bises au Sommet via the Col d'Ugeon with a proper, well-marked trail, but it does include some snowy sections. Protected area: dogs must be kept on a leash, bivouacking is permitted from 7 pm to 9 am. The route crosses meadows with livestock.

Hello everyone, Today, I decided to share my story and my adventure with you, which almost ended in tragedy. I had a real brush with death climbing the summit of Les Cornettes de Bise without any equipment. My cousin and I started the ascent around 5 p.m. I had never climbed a mountain before, no experience whatsoever… but I'm a very adventurous person and I'm not afraid. I had already risked my life crossing the sea in a wooden boat for 25 hours between Africa and Europe. So we decided to attempt this climb. At first, it was easy, then normal… but the nightmare began around 1800 meters. The section of earth and grass ended, and what followed was nothing but a huge white rock. We started climbing using the cracks… At 2,000 meters, exhausted, something happened that could have been my last moment. We reached a section where there was only one option: to climb a large, oval boulder. Trying to ascend, I found myself dangling in mid-air. Behind me was nothingness—a fall meant instant death. The worst part was that I couldn't see what was above the boulder. I was pressed against it, my feet and hands in precarious positions. And then, a cramp in my right leg… my other leg trembled with exhaustion. Only my hands were holding me up. In an almost instinctive movement, I reached up with one hand… and miraculously, I found a hold. Then, I managed to place my foot where my hand had been. I barely survived. We continued climbing… then a second nightmare. We were climbing by crawling, lying completely flat on our stomachs, clinging to the grass. At one point, I leaned with all my might on a clump of grass… which ripped away. I started sliding down like on a toboggan, on my stomach. My body was scraped raw—arms, legs, stomach… I struggled to grab onto something. And luckily, I managed to grab a rock behind me. Once again, I escaped death. At that moment, I felt deep regret. I thought of my mother, my sisters, my father… I told myself: “What I’m doing isn’t worth my life. I’m making a huge mistake.” But we kept going. My cousin is experienced, so it was easier for him. Around midnight, we reached the summit. It was bitterly cold, and we were only wearing short-sleeved t-shirts and shorts, in total darkness. We decided to call for help. It was the only option. Luckily, they answered, and an hour later, a helicopter arrived. It landed right at the summit, with extremely powerful gusts of wind—it was impressive and dangerous. They hoisted us aboard one by one, then brought us back down safely. I will never forget what France did for us that day. Immense respect and gratitude to the rescue teams and the helicopter crew. You are true heroes. The scenery was breathtaking… magnificent nature. We saw the sunset, a huge lake, and all the surrounding towns like Thonon-les-Bains and Lausanne. At night, it was even more magical: all the city lights below, and us above it all… a sight I will never forget. This experience will stay with me forever. 2880m