The southern and western sectors of the Cornettes de Bise (2432 m), with their sixty or so routes of all levels, form the largest group. It is subdivided into three distinct faces. The WNW face, commonly known as the Pilier Ouest, on the left of the Pas de la Bosse, is the first to be seen from the Chalets de Bise. On the other side of the Pas de la Bosse, on the edge of the Sérauquin couloir, we switch to the SSE slope, usually referred to as the South Face, a superb, imposing wall that is the source of many of the region's "all-round" routes. This long, magnificently sunny slope extends to the Toper sector, bordered by the Calaz couloir. The north-east slope, above the Chaudin valley on the Swiss side, is more suited to ski touring than climbing, although...

The south-east face of Les Pavis (2077 m) overlooking Lac de Darbon and looping the north-west valley above Bise. This beautiful, well-detailed wall offers a number of climbs of medium to abominably difficult difficulty.

Finally, the Dents du Velan (2090 m) form a short, narrow wall overlooking the Col d'Ugeon to the south and the Novel valley to the north. Here you'll find a few easy climbs with little or no climbing equipment.

Helmets are recommended.

Full route descriptions at www.chablais-grimpe.com

This topo guide is on sale at tourist information offices in Abondance, La Chapelle d'Abondance and Bernex for 15€.