Pointe de Banc Plat, Mountain peak in Bellecombe-en-Bauges, France.
Pointe de Banc Plat is a summit in the Montagne du Charbon, within the Bauges massif, reaching 1,796 metres. It lies about 19.6 km north of Annecy, on the border of Bellecombe-en-Bauges and Chevaline. The surrounding slopes are mostly wooded, with views over the limestone terrain of the massif.
Pas de la Combe, a passage carved through limestone in 1893, created a direct route linking Lathuile village with the alpine pastures beyond the rock face. This work gave locals faster access to their seasonal grazing lands.
The name Banc Plat, "flat bench", describes the long limestone shelf the summit crowns. Herders from Bellecombe-en-Bauges and Chevaline still bring cattle to the pastures below in summer, and the chalets along the route serve as stops where walkers eat and rest, as they have since grazing routes were established.
The hike starts at the Petit Reposoir parking area at 1085 meters and takes about 5 hours with roughly 900 meters of elevation gain. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are essential since the route crosses exposed sections and steep terrain.
A rock inscription honors Camille Dunand, who was central to creating the path through the limestone cliffs of the massif. Visitors often miss this memorial stone while making their way up the trail.
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