Mont Fortin - Mt Fortin from Pont Serrard

The Mont Fortin is an excellent view point for the Mont Blanc. However, the route by the Chavannes valley is very long and almost flat for a large part.

Ascent From Pont Serrand follow the alpine road, passing by Les Orgères to reach the Chavannes valley at the level of the Porassey alpage at 1900 m. Go up the valley after a descending traverse, (30m height loss), then follow the alpine road until Berrio Blanc Dessous at 2134 m. Shortly afterwards go due N to finally start gaining height more quickly for 300m, to reach a level area a little to the E of Chavannes d’en Haut at 2400 m. By a series of steps gain the SW ridge of Mt Fortin. Follow just below the crest until joining it a few metres below the summit.

Descent By the same way, following the road or down the floor of the valley.

Variant In following the floor of the valley, and after bypassing a few minor steps, it is possible to rejoin the outlet of the valley at the level of Arpettaz. From here, put back on the skins for a short climb to the snowbound Petit St Bernard road at the level of Crétaz. This climb is of similar length to that back up to Porassey on the true left bank. From here, ski down to Pont Serrand: - Either by the road, (ski piste of La Thuile.) . - or directly by the open area below le Riondet (Restaurant at the side of the road.)

A route reserved for the beginning of the season when there is limited snow because the road allows one to avoid stones in the lower part and after that stones still are not a problem, (grassy underneath.) After a first rewarming period, the Chavannes valley is subject avalanche debris of heavy snow and the road smoothed over by successive snow sloughs. For the ascent and descent it may be better to follow the valley floor along the side of the river.