Pointe de Chésery

Pointe de Chésery is a summit of roughly 2,250 m on the Swiss-French border, in the Chablais Alps. It rises between the Swiss canton of Valais and the French department of Haute-Savoie, in the Portes du Soleil ski and hiking area that links Champéry, Châtel and Morzine. Some IGN maps also label it Pointe de Bécret.

Where is Pointe de Chésery?

The peak sits on the ridge dividing France's Vallée d'Abondance from Switzerland's Val d'Illiez. Just below the summit, on the Swiss side in the municipality of Monthey, lies the small Lac de Chésery at about 1,890 m. Lac Vert and the old Refuge de Chésery are a short walk away, so the climb pairs easily with a lakeside stop.

How do you get to the top?

Paths are marked and no climbing gear is needed. The main options:

• From Lindarets (near Morzine and Montriond): about 8 km out and back with roughly 760 m of climbing. Allow around two hours up; the final stretch is steeper. Drive in along the D228 toward Montriond.
• From Col de Bassachaux (Châtel): a loop of about 6.5 km with around 525 m of ascent, passing over Tête de Lindaret first. Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours in total.
• Shortcut from the chairlifts: from the upper Plaine Dranse and Rochassons stations the distance drops to under 3 km with about 330 m of climbing, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
• From Morgins or Champéry: longer approaches from the Swiss side, including one through the Vallon de They.

When should you go?

Hiking season runs from about June to the end of October, when the Portes du Soleil lifts also operate. Earlier in the year snow often lingers on north-facing slopes. Start in the morning, since afternoon storms are more common in the mountains. In winter the area belongs to skiers and ski tourers.

What will you see?

From the summit you look across the Portes du Soleil ridges on both sides of the border, down into the Abondance and Val d'Illiez valleys, and over the nearby lakes. The route crosses summer pastures where cattle graze, so dogs must be kept on a lead.

Frequently asked questions

Is the hike difficult? Routes are easy to moderate. You need fitness for several hundred metres of ascent and sturdy hiking boots, but no climbing technique.

How long does it take? From about 1 hour 45 minutes starting at the upper lift stations to around 2 hours from Lindarets. The Bassachaux loop takes up to three hours.

Do I need a passport? The border runs along the ridge and hikers move freely between the two countries here, but carry an ID card or passport anyway.

Can I combine the climb with a lake visit? Yes. Lac de Chésery and Lac Vert lie below the summit and make a good rest stop before the descent.