Hike and climb the 8 ultra prominent mountains in France

Mainland France boasts 8 beautiful ultra prominent mountains that are all worth conquering. Some are relatively easy hiking peaks, while others need to be climbed or even mountaineering.  

Ultra prominence means the peak is minimum 1.500 meters higher than its surroundings. This guarantees beautiful, uninterrupted views. Check-out the list here and have a look at each of the impressive mountains on the photos further down in the post.

1. Mont Blanc, 4.695 meter prominence, 4.808 meter high

Europe's highest mountain and the 11th most prominent mountain in the world. An impressive mountain to climb. It is a mountaineering endeavour with a guide to lead you up and down safely.

2. Barre des Écrins, 2.045 meter prominence, 4.102 meter high

Located in the Écrins National Park. A mountaineering peak that would require a guide to take you up and down safely. 

3. Chamechaude, 1.771 meter prominence, 2.082 meter high

Located in the Chartreuse Mountains north of Grenoble. It is a hiking peak that doesn't necessarily need any climbing although many climbs are possible.

4. Arcalod, 1.713 meter prominence, 2.217 meter high

Located in the Bauges mountains between Chambéry, Annecy and Albertville. It is a difficult hiking peak. Many climbs at different levels are available.

5. Pointe Percée, 1.643 meter prominence, 2.750 meter high.

Located in the Aravis range between Lake Annecy and Chamonix not far from the road between Geneva and Chamonix. It is rated as a difficult hiking peak with also many different climbing routes available.

6. Puy de Sancy, 1.575 meter prominence, 1.885 meter high 

Located in the Massif Central. It is not only the highest peak in the Massif Central, but also so prominent that it can be seen from the Mediterranean on a clear day. The peak can be reached with a medium level hike og via the gondolas to the skiiing area Super Besse.

7. Grande Tête de l'Obiou, 1.542 meter prominence, 2.790 meter high

It is the highest peak in the Dévoluy mountains in the Dauphiné Prealps. A difficult hike with very steep parts. You need to have experience, be surefooted and not afraid of heights to climb the Grande Tâte de l'Obiou.

8. La Tournette, 1.514 meter prominence, 2.351 meter high

Located east of Lake Annecy in the Bornes mountains with beautiful views to the lake and surrounding mountains. A medium level hike. After a successful hike, I recommend to have a nice lunch in the hut at the bottom of the Tournette. I have enjoyed it a couple of times already. 

What is mountain prominence

Prominence measures the elevation of a summit relative to its surrounding terrain. It is a great indicator of how impressive a mountain is and how much it stands out. Much better than the normally popular measure of mountain height above sea level. A really high mountain with a low prominence may just be a low peak on a high altitude plateau or barely noticeable on a ridge of another mountain. 

Monte Viso's renowned prominence (2.062 meters) attract many climbers

Prominence is the smallest drop from the summit to get to any other higher terrain. It is the height of a mountain measured by the vertical distance between the summit and the lowest contour line encircling it but containing no higher summit within it. 

In France there are only eight so-called Ultras (ultra prominent mountains) with a prominence above 1.500 meters.

Prominence is different from the vertical height of a mountain, which measures the height of the summit above sea level. 

To really judge how attractive a mountain is you need to see it. Have a look at the photos of the 10 most prominent mountains in France below.

Photos of the 10 most prominent mountains in France

Mont Blanc the 11th most prominent mountain in the world

Mont Blanc's prominence is impressive from a distance.

Mont Blanc is both beautiful and the most prominent mountain in France. 

Barre des Écrins the second most prominent in France

The north face of the Barre des Écrins

3. Chamechaude in Chartreuse north of Grenoble

Chamechaude is an impressive third in prominence in France

4. Arcalod from the northern Alps 

Arcalod in the Bauges is the fourth most prominent mountain in France.

Arcalod is a difficult T5 hike, where you sometimes have to use your hands. Wear a helmet as there is risk of stonefalls. You need to be surefooted in steep scree to reach this limestone peak. On the top you are rewarded with stunning views to the Mont Blanc and the Lake Annecy. 

5. Pointe Percée

Pointe Percée in the Aravis not far from Mont Blanc

The peak looks impenetrable from all sides, but there is actually a well marked hiking trail to the top via the west flank.

6. Puy de Sancy the Ultra volcano

Puy de Sancy in the Massif Central can be seen from the Mediterranean.

The old volcano has been distinct for about 220.000 years. The peak offers 360 degrees beautiful views. It is easy to reach as a hike or using the lifts in the Super Besse skiing area.

7. Grande Tête de l'Obiou - a limestone Ultra

L'Obiou is an impressive mountain in the Dévoluy range

The limestone Devoluy massif, between Grenoble and Gap, is a superb hiking and climbing area, The Grande Tête de l'Obiou is a challenging hike / easy climb with some steep parts that offers fantastic views and varied climbing. It is one of only eight Ultra prominent mountains in France with a prominence above 1.500 meters.

8. La Tournette towering above Lake Annecy

La Tournette is the most prominent and highest mountain around Lake Annecy

Location of the 8 French ultra prominent mountains

Please find the location of the ten most prominent French mountains on this map:

7 of the 8 ultra prominent mountains are in the northern Alps

1. Mont Blanc 
2. Barre des Écrins 
3. Chamechaude
4. Arcalod 
5. Pointe Percée
6. Puy de Sancy
7. Grande Tête de l'Obioy
8. La Tournette
9. Le Taillefer (almost ultra)
10. Les Aiguilles d'Arves (almost ultra)

For more information on how to hike or climb these impressive mountains, I recommend to look them up on the following websites:

Altituderando

Camptocamp 

They are both in French although you can choose English as the base language on Camptocamp. You will find a lot of useful information, lots of photos and gpx files for your gps app.

For more mountain hiking tips and trails, go to my website here.