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Savoie-mont Blanc: our ten most beautiful hikes at altitude

2022-05-26T06:47:54.005Z


On the menu are lakes and waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and steep peaks, flower-covered meadows and lots and lots of marmots. On foot, how beautiful the mountains are in the two Savoies!


The most refreshing: the Angon waterfall, at Lake Annecy

A walk of an easy level, ideally done on a hot summer day, the route taking place exclusively in the forest.

Head for

Talloires

, a charming village on the shores of

Lake Annecy

.

The path quickly leads us into the wooded heights towards the

Saint Germain hermitage

.

It was here, in a cave, that this Savoyard hermit, first prior of the abbey of Talloires, lived in the 11th century.

The cave offers a breathtaking panorama of the lake and the

Duingt peninsula

.

To discover

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The path continues in the direction of the waterfalls up to a metal barrier which marks the entrance to the gorges.

Partly cut into the rock, the access cornice to the

Angon waterfall

takes us below the cliffs.

Be careful, the ambient humidity makes the passage slippery in places.

After a short passage equipped with chains, we arrive at the impressive waterfall of Angon… or rather behind it since we are behind the curtain of water.

The waterfall impresses with its 35 meters in height and its intense flow when the snow melts.

We then reach the

Pont des Fées,

which spans the impetuous

nant d'Oy

, a torrent descended from the Tournette.

One last look at the "potholes" and it's time to go down to Talloires.

Duration: 2h15.

Elevation: 305 m.

Read also48 hours in Annecy, between lake and mountain in the Venice of the Alps

The most committed: the Évettes circus (Vanoise National Park)

A beautiful amphitheater that can be enjoyed while picnicking on the edge of a torrent.

APernet

In the heart of

the Vanoise National Park

, the

Cirque des Évettes

is one of the most beautiful glacial cirques in the Alps.

However, this hike does not present any particular difficulty.

The path is also very busy in summer.

The show begins in the

hamlet of Ecot

(2027m), above

Bonneval

.

This adorable handful of gneiss houses topped with lauze seems to watch the seasons pass in a setting of mountains over 3000 meters high.

Nicolas Vanier made it the main frame of his film

Belle et Sébastien

.

The path that climbs towards the circus offers beautiful views of the

Maurienne

,

the Iseran pass

,

the Écot

and the

Arc valley

dominated by

the Grande Aiguille Rousse

.

It is at

the Évettes pass

(2561 m) that you can finally see the majestic circus.

On arrival, near the

Évettes refuge (2590 m), you can contemplate the

Évettes glacier

in turn .

, the high surrounding peaks which offer their southern slopes to neighboring Italy, then below the small

lakes of Paréis

and the

Roman bridge of La Reculaz

... A very beautiful amphitheater which can be enjoyed while picnicking at the edge of a torrent.

Another option: take a siesta on the edge of one of the small lakes of Paréis, where the Évettes glacier is reflected.

The Albaron

(3638 m), the

Petite and Grande Ciamarella

(3549 m and 3676 m), the

Pointe de Bonneval

(3321 m) are peaks reserved for mountaineers but the walk between the Évettes refuge and the foot of the glaciers is very accessible, even with the family.

If the weather permits, we will then continue to

the Reculaz waterfall

, before descending through

the Reculaz gorges

(not recommended if there is still snow or in rainy weather).

In case of doubt, the return can be done from the refuge by following the same route as the outward journey.

Tip: leave early to avoid the crowds.

Duration: 5 hours (return via the Reculaz gorges).

Elevation: 750 m.

The most vertiginous: the Prariond valley, in Val d'Isère

A verdant circus, dotted with flowers and populated by swift marmots.

Moussfilms Group Val d'Isere

A short hike, but one that can be extended at your leisure... The start is at the parking lot of

the Saint Charles bridge

(2056 m), descending from the

Col de l'Iseran

towards Val d'Isère.

The path winds up towards the beautiful

gorges of Malpasset

.

Here and there, steep passages can be impressive (watch out for children, not recommended for people prone to vertigo).

You soon

reach the Prariond plateau

at the end of which nestles the refuge of the same name (2324 m).

After the spectacle of the gorges, the gaze rests in front of this green circus, dotted with flowers and populated by swift marmots, under the tutelage of the

Grande Aiguille Rousse

.

We can stop at the refuge, but to tell the truth, several options are available to us all around.

Easy walks with young children in the bottom of the valley allow you to observe flowers and marmots, or to observe chamois far from the crowds around

the Niolet stream

.

Walkers will prefer to take the

Col de la Lose

(2957 m) or the

Col de la Galise

(2987 m), each of which requires 4 hours of walking there and back.

On the menu: ibexes, a splendid panorama of the Isère glaciers and the peaks that mark the border with Italy.

And to observe wildlife at sunset or dawn, you can always spend the night at the refuge.

Duration: 1h15.

Elevation: 204 m.

The most spiritual: Our Lady of the Snows in Valmeinier (Neuvache valley)

In the past, mountain dwellers who spent the summer in the mountain pastures put themselves under the protection of Notre-Dame des Neiges.

Press picture

This family hike explores the beautiful

Neuvache valley

, where the eponymous river sings.

We are here at 2200 meters above sea level, in the heart of a Natura 2000 Zone. Our steps follow an old pilgrimage route.

In the past, mountain dwellers who spent the summer in the mountain pastures put themselves under the protection of Notre-Dame des Neiges.

Following the rural exodus, the pilgrimage fell into disuse, but a heritage association revives it every year on August 5th.

From the small chalet "La Source", the path runs along the river.

From June to September, flowers cover the meadows with a thousand colors and in August, it is not forbidden to taste blueberries along the way!

After 45 minutes of walking, we reach

Lac Vert

, whose clear water turns blue and green depending on the light.

The less cautious hikers will try a swim in this little Eden.

Retracing your steps, you take the path up to the

chapel of Notre-Dame des Neiges

(2180 m), which stands in the middle of the valley between

Valmeinier

and

Mont Thabor

.

Picnic of anthology near the chapel, facing the magnificent bottom of the Valmeinier valley.

Here and there, many alpine chalets restored or sometimes in ruins bear witness to pastoral activity.

The return is made on a balcony above the valley via

La Loza

and

Le Planay.

Duration: 2h30.

Elevation: 500 m.

Read alsoFrom Lake Geneva to the Pyrenees, five experiences to cool off on the great lakes of France

The most zen: relaxation and yoga trail in Flaine

The 3 km course, easy and accessible to all, offers magnificent views of the summits of Faucigny and Chablais.

Flaine Tourist Office - D. Durand

A well-being ski resort, Flaine promised in 2017 “the highest yoga session in the world”, facing Mont Blanc.

In summer, it will even be possible to indulge in the Zen attitude thanks to the Détente Yoga course, located at the

Col de Pierre Carrée

, at an altitude of 1900 m.

The 3 km course, easy and accessible to all, always offers magnificent views of the summits of

Faucigny

and

Chablais

.

The landscapes are different according to the slope where one is and according to the lighting of day.

Inhale, exhale cross-legged in front of the moors covered with blueberries and rhododendrons.

Position of the triangle facing the

Arbaron

.

Position of the dog upside down facing the open landscapes of the

Aravis

and the

Beaufortain

… The course is accessible by free shuttle all day and on foot for the more athletic from the center of the resort.

The sportiest: the Lac Blanc trail, Chamonix-mont Blanc valley

The Col des Montets lake, starting point of the walk.

Chamonix Valley Tourist Office

Lovers of hanging lakes and snow-capped peaks, this hike is for you!

Starting from the

Col des Montets

, in the

Chamonix

valley , the balcony route crosses the heart of the

Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve

with the Mont Blanc massif as a backdrop.

The trail climbs as it should, along a ridge and passes through a myriad of high altitude lakes.

An equipped passage allows you to cross large rounded rocks and lead to

Lac Blanc

, which only bears its name well in winter.

In summer, imagine instead a mirror of turquoise water encrusted in the rock.

The panorama over the Mont Blanc range rewards all the efforts made:

the Drus

,

the Grandes Jorasses

,

the Aiguille Verte

and of course the Mont-Blanc draw a frieze of snow-capped peaks which is reflected in the water of the lake.

Unforgettable…

Duration: 5 hrs.

Elevation: 890 m.

Read alsoSummer in Savoie Mont-Blanc, between unmissable sites and wild haunts

The most family-friendly: the Arpelières trail (Beaufortain massif and

Arly valley)

This acid sphagnum peat bog, the largest in the Alps, is a relic of the last ice age.

J.-P. Noisillier - nuts.fr

A little air of Scandinavia floats over the

Regional Nature Reserve of the Saisies peat bog

, a protected natural site of 290 hectares, and 10,000 years old.

Straddling the

Beaufortain massif

and

the Arly valley

, between 1,550 and 1,718 meters above sea level, this high altitude acid sphagnum peat bog, the largest in the Alps, is a relic of the last period. glacial.

The

Arpelières trail

, which has been laid out in the heart of the reserve, allows you to discover the fragile biodiversity of this wetland.

The grating-type wooden footbridges lead through sphagnum, moors, lawns and senescent forests.

Arctic emerald dragonflies, mountain owls and even the very rare black grouse can be found here, as well as around forty rare and/or endangered plants, including European starflower, polium-leaved andromeda and round-leaved sundew.

The guided tour allows you to become familiar with this little-known universe.

Duration: from 1h30 (3.6 km).

Cumulative elevation gain: 100 m.

Read alsoFive ideal mountain refuges for family vacations

The most magical: Lac des Vaches in Pralognan-la-Vanoise

The slabs laid flush with the water give the impression of walking on a giant mirror.

Press picture

An essential hike from

Pralognan

.

From the

Fontanettes car park

, the path starts in the forest to

the Barmettes refuge

.

It is partly paved with stones and lined with low walls, facilities that were intended to facilitate the movement of peddlers and smugglers who once transported salt to Italian Piedmont.

In the middle of the rhododendron massifs, a torrent meanders and a waterfall falls with a loud crash.

The

Glière Sud ridge

has a pretty orange hue, due to the quartzite, while to the right stands the impressive

Aiguille de la Vanoise

.

This limestone canine covered with dihedrals, slabs and slopes is the playground of climbing enthusiasts.

We soon reach

Lac des Vaches

.

Slabs have been laid on the surface of the water, so that crossing it by fording, you believe you are walking on a giant mirror!

The trail then goes up the moraine of

the Grande Casse glacier

.

After two hours of walking, the

Col de la Vanoise refuge

(2,517 m above sea level), the oldest in the massif, is in sight.

In the past, hawkers stopped here to reach

the Maurienne valley

.

Mountaineers and hikers replaced them.

One last look at the impressive mass of the Grande Casse, and we go back down the same path.

Duration: 4h (2h30 ascent – ​​1h30 descent).

Elevation: 860m.

Read alsoFrom Mont-Blanc to the Colorado Rockies, five novels in the atmosphere of beautiful mountain resorts

The most panoramic: the Môle in the Brasses massif

With its conical shape that makes it look like a volcano, the Môle is an emblematic mountain of Haute-Savoie.

Press picture

It is sometimes nicknamed the Fuji-Yama of the

Alps

... With its almost perfect conical shape that makes it look like a volcano, the

Môle

is an emblematic mountain of Haute-Savoie.

Despite its modest altitude (1863 m), it plays the role of belvedere and landmark between

Geneva

and Mont Blanc.

We reach its summit after an 8 km round trip hike from the village of

Saint-Jean-de-Tholome

.

The path winds up in the forest before reserving the first beautiful viewpoints over

the Arve valley.

The arrival at the top of the eminence offers a splendid 360° panorama over the whole region: the Mont Blanc massif, the

Chablais

,

Aravis

and

Bargy

chains ,

Mont Salève

and

Lake Geneva

... It's here that in 1775, the Englishman Schuckburgh evaluated the altitude of Mont Blanc at 4,804 meters.

The descent is via the Petit Môle and the place called

"la Lardère",

then the place called

"la Ravire"

.

The continuation of the descent is then carried out by a long and wide track.

Duration: 4 hours round trip.

Elevation: 750 m.

The most animal: Peyre Lake (Aravis range)

Perched at an altitude of 2,108 meters, it occupies a basin that collects runoff water.

T.Vattard - Le Grand Bornand

The

Aravis range

launches its peaks up to 2750 m altitude.

This walk without great difficulty begins at

the Col de la Colombière

, between

Cluses

and Le

Grand-Bornand

.

Past the mountain pasture chalets, the path weaves its way between scree and scree until it reaches a grassy flat area.

Lac

de Peyre

soon appears, nestled in a hollow between

Pointe Blanche

and

Pointe du Midi

.

Perched at 2108 meters, it occupies a basin that collects runoff water.

The surrounding landscape is spectacular.

Sometimes a herd of sheep invites itself, ringing its cowbells in the middle of the marmots.

But the hike doesn't stop there.

It is advisable to climb to

the Balafrasse pass

, at an altitude of 2,296 m.

Once at the pass, along the ridge, there is a good chance of observing chamois and ibexes, which like to bask on the grassy ledges and sunny cliffs.

In the sky, it is not uncommon to follow the flight of bearded vultures.

Be careful though, the ridge trail is narrow, and a fall at this point is not allowed.

It is not buff who wants…

Duration: 2h30 to 3h (+ 1 hour round trip to Col de Balafrasse).

Cumulative elevation gain: 550 m (720 m for the Col de Balafrasse).

More information:

www.savoie-mont-blanc.com

See also –

Yescapa: Le Figaro tested the Airbnb of the motorhome

[Originally published October 2020, this article is being updated.]

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2022-05-26

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