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Right in the middle of the Northern Alps in Haute-Savoie, half way between Chamonix and Geneva, the Grand Massif welcomes mountain lovers to a land rich in character and contrasts. The area, with its 40,000 hectares of forest, is ideal for hikers of all levels, offering a naturally preserved landscape and a breath-taking panorama of the Mont Blanc range.
The GRAND MASSIF, 5 resorts, a huge playground!
It includes the resort of Flaine, listed for its art and architecture, and the village resorts of Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval to suit all tastes and styles!
In the Giffre valley, the choice is vast! Do you prefer easily accessible hikes with little variation in altitude, or the steeper, more remote areas?
Whatever your mood or level of fitness, it’s hard to miss the fabulous scenery the region has to offer.
Some advice :
- Lifts and footpaths are closed when there are thunderstorms.
- About pets, especially dogs :
Keep them on a lead or harness in order to protect wildlife and plants within the area,
Not allowed in the Grandes Platières DMC cable car in Flaine,
Enquire at the mountain huts if allowed.
Start : Flaine - at the top of the Grandes Platières DMC
Duration : 2 hrs
Public / difficulty : Family / fairly easy
Elevation drop : 900m
Itinerary : From the cable car, head towards the Tête Pelouse and then down towards Flaine by the track across the Balacha slopes.
Start : Flaine - at the top of the Grandes Platières DMC
Duration : 4 hrs
Public / difficulty : Sporty and regular walkers / medium
Elevation variation : 450m
Itinerary : From the DMC, head towards the Sales footpath, then descend the Platé Desert towards the GR96 alternative trail. On your left, you will see the Laouchets lakes. Rejoin the GR96, col de Portettes (pass) as far as the Platé chalets. Head back up to the Col du Colonney (pass), then back to the Grandes Platières.
Possibility of spending a night at the Platé mountain hut.
Start : Flaine - at the top of the Grandes Platières DMC
Duration : 6 hrs
Public / difficulty : Athletic walkers / difficult
Elevation variation : 600m
Itinerary : From the Grandes Platières, follow the GR96 trail towards the Sales chalets. Take the time to make a little detour to the Pointe du Dérochoir where you will get a grandiose view of Mont Blanc. The return route is via the Combe des Foges, then up towards the Tête Pelouse, col de Platé (pass). 2 options from here : back up to the Grandes Platières or descend down to Flaine via the Serpentine ski run.
Possibility of spending a night at the Sales mountain hut.
Start : Flaine - at the top of the Grandes Platières DMC
Duration : 6.5 hrs
Public / difficulty : Athletic walkers / difficult
Elevation gain : 792m
Elevation drop : 1595m
Itinerary : From the top of the DMC, head towards the Col de Platé (pass). 2 options from here :
- Head in the direction of the Combe des Foges until you cross the GR96 trail which leads to the Gers bowl. For the return, head up the Gers bowl on the GR96 trail as far as the Col Pelouse (pass) then down to Flaine Forum past the Balacha huts.
- Or, from the Foges chalets, head towards the Parchet lake bowl and then in the direction of the Col Pelouse (pass) and then as above pas the Balacha huts.
Starting point: from the top of the gondola.
Time: 30-45 mins
Public / difficulty: Family – all ages / easy.
Elevation +/-: 130 metres (if riding up and down in the gondola)
Itinerary: From the top of the gondola, follow signs for “lac de l’Airon”. On arrival at the alpine farmstead, possibility of eating at their restaurant, fishing for trout, buying cheese direct from the farm, and all with a fantastic view of the Aravis mountains.
To return, head in the direction of “col de l’Airon”, then towards “La Kédeusaz”. Head back down to the resort in the gondola or on foot.
Start : Morillon 1100 - Esserts and Bergin plateau
Duration : 2/2.5 hrs (uphill) - 1.5 hrs (downhill)
Public / difficulty : Family, accessible with children aged 5+ and for the very young, bring a baby back carrier / easy
Elevation variation : 850m
Itinerary : Family walk, some animals grazing freely (goats and cows), full of flowers in June, July and August. Numerous wetlands for those that are interested. A few marmots in the pastures. Keep your eyes and ears open. Panoramic view of the Giffre valley and the lower Arve valley.
Start : Samoëns - GME gondola, then Chariande Express chairlift
Duration : 5 hrs
Public / difficulty : regular walkers / medium
Elevation gain : 241m
Elevation drop : 1659m
Itinerary : From the top of the Chariande Express chairlift, follow the wide track which heads down to your left. At the Vernant pass, leave this track leading to the Vernant Lake and follow the path which heads up to the Grands Vans. Pass the chairlift and join the Grands Van pass. The itinerary now leaves the Grand Massif ski area. Follow the path down to your left past the Lanches Fleuries to reach the Gers bowl, then follow a wide path to the lake and the Gers mountain hut.
Start : Sixt Fer à cheval - old Vagnys chairlift
Duration : 2 hrs (uphill) - 2.75 hrs (downhill)
Public / difficulty : Sporty and regular walkers
Elevation gain : 650m
Elevation drop : 1050m
Itinerary : Reach the top of the old Vagnys chairlift and then continue to walk up a wide path to the left until you reach an intersection (signposted 1334m altitude), take the right hand path in the direction of the Grenairon mountain hut ; the path, which becomes a track, crosses over the ski run and continues through the forest to reach the wardens’ path at an altitude of 1400m.
Start : Sixt Fer à cheval - Grenairon mountain hut
Duration : 4.5 hrs
Public / difficulty : Athletic walkers / difficult
Elevation variation : 1150m
Itinerary : From the Grenairon mountain hut, reach the Lac du Plan du Buet by the Frêtes du Grenier. This ridge walk affords you a superb view of the whole of the valley right up the top of the Buet. Walk up the scree slope to reach the Eves mountain ridge; follow on along the Buet ridge, nicknamed the Ladies’ Mont Blanc.
Start : Sixt Fer à cheval - old Vagnys chairlift
Duration : 2 hrs
Public / difficulty : Family / easy
Itinerary : From the top of the old chairlift, follow the shaded forest track which opens up into the sunshine. On arrival, the alpine farmers will happily explain how they make their goats’ cheese and show you around the farm.
MEET THE UNEXPECTED
