We are off for our first hike in the Alps this season, up la Dent d'Oche, a sharp summit overlooking Lac Leman. It's getting pretty hot in the valley, so we are hoping to cool down at a higher altitude.
Route: La Fétiuère - Chalets d'Oche - Dent d'Oche - Planchamp - Portes d'Oche - Darbon - Casse d'Oche - Fétiuère
The climb starts immediately through the forest. We are sweaty already as we approach Chalets d'Oche, but a quick rinse in the trough helps before we continue upwards.
We didn't start the hike until noon, so it wasn't long before we were ready for a lunch break near the refuge, just below the summit. Not a bad place to picnic. The early sections of trail were a bit busy- a challenging climb, quickly rewarded with a great view, but beyond the refuge and later in the day we encountered more bouquetin than people.
After a fun scramble, we reached Dent d'Oche at 2221m, the highest point of our hike. La Dent offers an amazing panorama over the lake stretching from Montreux toward Geneva and out towards a ghost-like Mt. Blanc in the haze.
We have a few more ups and downs, and most of the mileage still ahead. The trail down to Planchamp is steep and rocky, slightly dizzying when you look down from the edge.
A short climb to Portes d'Oche and down to Lac Darbon.
Guardian of Portes d'Oche:
Hey, Derek, can you read that next signpost? We're still on the right trail.
Darbon, then the final climb before balancing along a ridge and descending to finish the loop.
