Dent du Chat from the Parking des Côtes
A short but steep climb to the rock that towers over the lake, with a bird’s-eye view along its whole length.
- Distance
- 5.9 km
- Ascent
- 450 m
- Stated time
- 3 h 20 min
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Route
- Loop
Figures from the source: Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes tourist office: Dent du Chat from the Parking des Côtes. Times are walking times without breaks; they vary with fitness, terrain and season.
The route
From the Parking des Côtes, the path climbs through the forest past the Fontaine des Côtes spring, then along the Sentier de la Dent to the Col des Quatre Sentiers, just below the rock. The lake then spreads out far below, from Aix-les-Bains to Chanaz.
The summit itself requires climbing experience and is not suitable for anyone prone to vertigo. The way back follows the Molard Noir ridge to the TV mast, then goes down by the road and the Sentier des Côtes.
What you see on the way
- The bird’s-eye view of the whole lake
- The Molard Noir ridge
- The Dent du Chat rock (about 1,390 m)
Starting point
Parking des Côtes, route du Relais, Le Bourget-du-Lac
- Trailhead
- Trailhead
Parking des Côtes, route du Relais, Le Bourget-du-Lac
Start of “Dent du Chat from the Parking des Côtes”.
Good to know
- The Fontaine des Côtes spring has a weak flow: bring your own water.
- The access road is closed in winter (the tourist office lists the route as open from 1 May to 31 October).
Before you set off
Check the weather and the lake webcams, and the state of the trail with the official source: a route can be closed (works, rockfall, snow) without this page knowing.