Crève-Tête

Crève-Tête is a 2,342-metre summit rising above the Belleville valley in Savoie, on the border between the Lauzière and Vanoise massifs. Also known as Crête des Vautours (Vultures' Ridge), it is one of the favourite hiking targets in this part of the French Alps.

Where is Crève-Tête located?

The peak separates the Belleville valley (the villages of Saint-Jean-de-Belleville and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville) from the Avanchers-Valmorel valley on the other side. Sitting right on this watershed, the summit gives hikers views over both valleys at once, making it a natural landmark for the whole Les Belleville area.

How do you reach the summit?

The most common route starts from the hamlet of Novallay, at roughly 1,350 metres, and climbs about 1,000 metres of elevation over 4 to 5 hours one way. An alternative approach from Villaret is slightly longer, gaining around 1,030 metres over about 5.5 hours. Both routes cross the pastures and ridgelines typical of the Lauzière massif before joining near the top. No climbing gear is needed, but the distance and elevation gain place the hike in the moderate-to-demanding category.

What will you see at the top?

The reward is a 360-degree panorama that takes in the Aravis range, the Beaufortain, Mont Blanc, the Vanoise, the Les Encombres ridge and the Lauzière massif itself. On clear days, the Meije and the Ecrins massif are visible in the distance. It is this sweeping view — remarkable for a summit of relatively modest altitude — that draws hikers to Crève-Tête rather than a technical alpine climb.

A summit cross stands at the top, with a story going back to the 1930s. The first cross was placed there in 1935 by Abbé Alphonse Charles, parish priest of Les Avanchers from 1931 to 1939, as a mark of faith and a symbolic protection for the valley below. The current cross, which replaced the original, has stood at the summit since 2016.

When is the best time to go?

The trails to Crève-Tête are fully open through summer and early autumn, once the snow has cleared and daylight hours are long enough for the several-hour round trip. An early morning start is recommended, both to allow enough time for the full ascent and descent and to catch the clearest views toward Mont Blanc and the Vanoise before afternoon cloud tends to close in on the panorama.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Crève-Tête? The summit stands at 2,342 metres, on the border between the Lauzière and Vanoise massifs.

How long does the hike to the top take? Depending on the route (Novallay or Villaret), the ascent takes between 4.5 and 5.5 hours, with 1,000 to 1,030 metres of elevation gain.

What can you see from the summit? A 360-degree panorama covering the Aravis, Beaufortain, Mont Blanc, Vanoise, Les Encombres and Lauzière, with the Meije and Ecrins visible in clear conditions.

Why is it also called Crête des Vautours? It's an alternative name for the peak, referring to its exposed, ridge-like profile above the Belleville and Avanchers-Valmorel valleys.