Bellevue - Cascade de Bellevue

Approach

Coming from Chamonix through the village of Les Houches, go past the church/town hall and take a road on the left to Bellevarde, after just crossing a river, (ski shop on the corner.) Follow this road until there is a side road on the right indicated la Renalière. It is possible to park just before the chalets. Alternatively, walk up from the village, adds about 10 mins. From La Renalière traverse, (right,) slightly upwards before descending into the stream bed. Go up this to the foot of the first steep section.

Route

L# | 35m 75/80° sustained, belay on a tree. L# | 100m Walking.this leads to the foot of the final steep section, usually done in two pitches. L# | 30m 70º L# | 30m 80º

Descent

It is possible to go down through the forest on the true right hand side of the torrent, steep. Alternatively, climb up through the forest on the right, looking upwards, to traverse rightwards above a cliff until it is possible to descend a vague gully, near the line of the cable car. At a certain moment traverse right, looking down, to regain the foot of the first steep section.

It is a large stream, so needs good freezing conditions.