Free
Via ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard
La Clusaz
700 m equipped route, graded D (difficult), on the Borderan cliff facing the Étale massif. Free access, gear required, open May–November.
Free · Open access
Col des Aravis
The Col des Aravis links La Clusaz, in Haute-Savoie, with La Giettaz, in Savoie, at 1,486 m. It is the lowest pass through the Aravis range: open view of the Mont-Blanc massif, Sainte-Anne chapel, alpine meadows, hiking trailheads.
Location verified by loisirs74.fr
At a glance
Type
Mountain pass and viewpoint
Access
Free · Open
Best season
May – October
Parking
Free
Animals
On leash
Town
La Clusaz
What is Col des Aravis
The Col des Aravis is a road pass at 1,486 m that separates the commune of La Clusaz, in Haute-Savoie, from La Giettaz, in Savoie. It is the lowest point through the Aravis range, a chain extending 25 km from north to south, from Bonneville to Ugine, culminating at Pointe Percée (2,752 m).
The pass is crossed by the D909 departmental road, opened in 1902, today a stage of the Route des Grandes Alpes® linking Thonon-les-Bains to Nice. On site: the Sainte-Anne chapel, restaurants, souvenir shops, alpine farms selling Reblochon cheese directly, parking areas, and hiking trailheads. On a clear day, open view of the Mont-Blanc massif. The pass also welcomes cyclists and bikers who tackle this legendary ascent.
The history of the pass is closely linked to the tourist development of La Clusaz: the opening of the road in 1902 marked the beginning of the resort's expansion. Today, the Col des Aravis is a must for mountain lovers, hikers and touring cyclists. The alpine depression where the chapel stands is framed by the cornices of the Etale and the spectacular opening of the Porte des Aravis to the north.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Col des Aravis, D909, 74220 La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie side) / 73590 La Giettaz (Savoie side) View on map
Coordinates
45.8722° N, 6.4648° E
Elevation
1,486 m
Opening hours
Free access year-round. Road occasionally closed in winter after heavy snowfall (about 5 days a year on average).
Price
Free
Parking
Free parking at the pass
Animals
Dogs on leash
Accessibility
Pass accessible by car, parking at the summit
Food
Several restaurants and shops at the pass
Cheese shop (Reblochon)
Direct Reblochon sales from several alpine farms at the pass in summer season (June–September)
Access
How to get there
By car
From La Clusaz, take the D909 towards Flumet / La Giettaz, 7 km to the pass. From Thônes to the north-west: 18.9 km on the D909 (Fier valley). From Flumet to the south-east: 11.5 km on the D909 (Val d'Arly). The road is sometimes closed in winter during heavy snowfall.
Open in MapsPublic transport
Free Aravisbus shuttle (line 1) in high season from La Clusaz.
Open in MapsBy bike
Classic climb of alpine cycling. From Flumet: 11.7 km, average gradient ~4.9%. From Thônes: 18.9 km, average gradient ~4.6%. The pass is a stage of the Route des Grandes Alpes® (Thonon-les-Bains → Nice).
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Col des Aravis · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · N-ARAVISBUS · 163 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
<p>Season by season:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>May – June:</strong> green alpine meadows, cows returning to the high pastures, few visitors at the pass.</li>
<li><strong>July – August:</strong> peak season, hiking, mountain biking, cycling events. Heavy attendance at the pass.</li>
<li><strong>September – October:</strong> autumn light, herds still on the alpine pastures until the désalpe.</li>
<li><strong>Winter:</strong> the pass is accessible by road most of the time, occasionally closed after heavy snowfall. More remote atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
Events : The pass is regularly crossed by the Tour de France and by the Time Megève Mont-Blanc cyclosportive.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Col des Aravis?
The Col des Aravis is at 1,486 m between La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie, 74) and La Giettaz (Savoie, 73), on the D909. It marks the boundary between the two departments.
Is access to the Col des Aravis paid?
No. Access to the Col des Aravis is free, as the pass is crossed by a public departmental road. Free parking on site.
What is the elevation of the Col des Aravis?
The Col des Aravis reaches 1,486 m, which makes it the lowest road pass crossing the Aravis range.
Is the Col des Aravis open in winter?
Yes, the D909 over the Col des Aravis stays open for most of the winter. It may be closed exceptionally during heavy snowfall (about 5 days a year on average). Check road conditions before travelling.
Can you see Mont-Blanc from the Col des Aravis?
Yes, on a clear day. The Col des Aravis offers an open view of the Mont-Blanc massif, which makes it one of the most popular road viewpoints in the area.
Can you hike from the Col des Aravis?
Yes. Several trails start from the Col des Aravis, including the Croix de Fer and chalet du Curé loop on the La Giettaz side, and the climb to the Porte des Aravis. Check with the tourist office for conditions and waymarking.
Is the Col des Aravis a Tour de France stage?
Yes, the Col des Aravis is historically crossed by the Tour de France, most recently in 2020 according to available sources. It is also part of the Time Megève Mont-Blanc cyclosportive.
Can you buy Reblochon directly at the Col des Aravis?
Yes. Several alpine farms at the Col des Aravis sell directly in season. Reblochon is the historic cheese of the Aravis range.
Is the pass suitable for a family outing?
Yes. The pass is accessible by car with parking at the top, restaurants on site, and several easy walks in the alpine meadows. The chapel and grazing cows usually interest children.
What is the best time to cycle up?
From May to October, early morning or late afternoon to avoid car traffic. Summer mornings often offer the best visibility of Mont-Blanc.
Sources
Sources & verification
- Office de Tourisme de La Clusaz — Col des Aravis
- Haute-Savoie Tourisme — Col des Aravis
- Office de Tourisme du Val d'Arly Mont-Blanc — Col des Aravis (La Giettaz)
- Commune de La Giettaz — La chaîne des Aravis
- Wikipédia — Chapelle Sainte-Anne du col des Aravis
- Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Tourisme — Descente du Col des Aravis
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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