Petit Mont Blanc de Châtillon, from the Panorama locality

Access

Leaving the [A5] motorway at the Châtillon/Saint-Vincent exit, turn right heading towards the spa town. After passing a traffic light, continue straight on for about 400m before reaching Località Panorama and meeting, on the right, a large free car park where you can leave your car.

[0h03'] - [1.8km]
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The information provided here was verified at the time of the route survey. Before setting off, it is advisable to ensure that no substantial changes have occurred on the route to the starting point. We therefore recommend the use of the satellite navigation apps provided by Google or Apple for up-to-date and detailed directions.

Introduction

Short hike on the Petit Mont-Blanc, a wooded hillock above the village of Châtillon. The itinerary first takes in the low villages of the Châtillon 'hill', then pastures and vineyards and finally the beautiful oak forest. The destination is not very well known, so with a little effort you can enter a rather intimate environment.

The arrival on the knoll allows you to appreciate the particular aerial views of the towns of Châtillon and Saint-Vincent below. The last passage has a slight exposure.

Description

0h00' From the car park, go up the pavement for about a hundred metres until you come to a pedestrian crossing: cross the road and take the lane to the right of Hotel Sylcri. A signpost indicates that you are starting on path to Domianaz. Follow the path briefly past a few houses before reaching a clearing at Remelaz, where a yellow marker directs you back onto a short stretch of path that joins a farm track.

0h05' Turn left and walk along the little road for a few dozen metres before turning right onto a path which, after a short stretch that is almost flat, begins to climb up the forest with a series of hairpin bends until it crosses the Ru de la Plaine.

0h10' Continue following the signposts of the Balteo path to La Magdeleine and, after a short ascent, join a small road that crosses the village of Verlex. Follow the little road until the next crossroads with the hill road and, near the chapel dedicated to saints Fabian and Sebastian, turn left to reach the entrance of the little road to Albard de Châtillon.

0h15' Climb up the little road following the signs for the path past the village of Albard, some drinking fountains allow you to stock up on water (there are no other refreshment points afterwards). After a turn to the right, you reach a fork in the road: turn right and start walking along a small agricultural road that is first asphalted, then dirt. After a fairly steep climb, the little road flattens out slightly as the rocky hillock of Petit Mont-Blanc de Châtillon appears on the horizon. The little road joins the Ru de Gagneur road. Turn right and walk along the little road on the level until you reach the junction of the path.

0h25' Take the path, reversing direction, and proceed slightly uphill into the dense oak forest (Quercus pubescens). The path veers to the left and increases the gradient, passing under a rock wall full of graffiti. Still following the path bordered by low stone walls, you will reach a plateau with an esplanade of rocky debris.

0h40' Follow the path made up of debris until you come close to the wood, then turn right, proceeding along the meadows skirting the strip of woodland. Go over a small hump and continue westwards, now slightly downhill, until you reach another wide meadow. Follow the trail for a short distance, skirting the forest, then turn left and climb up the last wooded ridge on a faint trail. When you reach the top of the climb, a small but suggestive view of Saint-Vincent opens up, turn right and, slightly uphill, follow the little path through the trees until you reach the Petit Mont-Blanc de Châtillon hillock (875m) 1h00' . 

To fully enjoy the "vertical" view of Châtillon, it is necessary to proceed a few metres, with a slightly exposed passage, until reaching a small promontory from which the view is certainly very satisfying.

The descent follows the same route as on the way up, taking a total of 0h45'. Once back on the first meadow level, the hillock of Mont-Blanc de Châtillon can be seen further up... but I will tell you about this in another report.