Beaufortain walks

A beautiful walk with several stream crossings. But beware of snow at the beginning of the season.

A beautiful family hike that combines green mountain slopes with water flowing in small streams and waterfalls. At the end of the hike, there is a small lake with crystal clear water.

The Rocher du Vent is an impressive rock formation offering a bird's eye view of Lake Roselend, near the Cormet de Roselend. The route described here is unusual as it goes through a tunnel and then along a balcony path, so it is only suitable for walkers who are not afraid of heights or claustrophobia! Others can still discover the site by cutting across to the Lauze chalet.

A lovely hike in the Beaufortain to discover the five lakes of Forclaz. This is an easy route with no navigation difficulties, so you can leave your map in your bag. At the start, you are still in the mountain pastures, then gradually the environment becomes more and more rocky.

On the border between the Mont Blanc, Beaufortain and Tarentaise massifs, this hike will take you through alpine pastures to discover the Lacs Jovets at an altitude of over 2,100 metres.

This circuit in the Beaufortain offers abundant panoramic views, first of the Arêches valley, then of the heart of the Beaufortain. On the ridge path, let the Mont Blanc guide you.

This is a moderate hike offering access to a magnificent viewpoint over Lac de Roselend after a walk through alpine pastures.

You've seen some of it on foot, by bike, motorbike or car. If you're a keen walker, here's your chance to discover Lake Roselend, its dam and the alpine chalets that line its shores from different angles on an easy walk along a route that follows the lake's banks, with an elevation gain of around 400 metres. You will cross numerous streams via wooden footbridges before finally crossing the dam.

A beautiful hike in the heart of the Beaufortain, near the Roselend dam lake.

The ascent of Mont Joly, a unique viewpoint facing Mont Blanc, via the Aiguille Croche, which also offers superb panoramic views, with a long ridge walk between the two. A beautiful high mountain atmosphere.

A lovely walk on an accessible ridge, surrounded by flowers and with fantastic views of Lake Roselend and the snow-capped peaks.

Lac de la Portette is a beautiful hiking destination in the Beaufortain, at the foot of the Grande Pareï cliff. And as I've always preferred loops to round trips, the Col du Mont Rosset and the return via the Balme refuge offer a nice bonus with views of the Pierra Menta, an iconic peak if ever there was one.

An easy circular hike that alternates between descents and ascents with magnificent views of Mont Blanc, the Beaufortain massif and the Aravis.

A superb hike offering magnificent scenery. Mont Blanc is omnipresent! The view of the Beaufortain and its dams is also worth the detour.

Already offered in a (very) long version, this hike can be made a little more accessible to the general public. A hike in a splendid setting: the Roselend dam, the Pierra Menta, the Beaufortain, and a glimpse of Mont Blanc.

Whether you do it alone or with your family, this hike will allow you to discover how people lived around 60 years ago. It is a pleasant walk through a hundred hectares of forest and small plains. Along the way, you will find barns furnished with tools from the period and numerous photos. A very interesting route that will take you back to your starting point, where a guest book awaits you.

This route runs above 1,800 metres, starting in the mountain pastures and skirting our military heritage; the Crête des Gittes trail was built and sometimes carved into the rock by the military.

Combe Noire waterfall and its impressive torrential potholes.

Hike on the trail separating the two passes. This hike offers views of the Mont Blanc massif from both passes. Not particularly difficult, but be careful on the slopes where the trail sometimes climbs quite steeply

Hike in the Beaufortain, magnificent view of the Hauteluce valley, the Outray mountain and Mont Blanc. Moderator's note Accessibility in summer: see the notice dated 21/07/2022

This hike alternates between forest and pastureland and offers magnificent views of Mont Blanc from the Ban Rouge ridges. An orientation table allows you to better enjoy this magnificent panorama.

A beautiful hike with views of Lac de Roselend, crossings of mountain pastures and a wilder section towards Col de Bresson. The Presset refuge and its lake offer a chance to take a break in an exceptional landscape. After the Col de Grand Fond, Mont Blanc is visible for much of the return journey, directly opposite the path.

A hike with beautiful views, including the Mont Blanc massif.

Short, easy hike with beautiful panoramic views of the Aravis and Mont Blanc. Lac du Mont Lachat at the summit, very pleasant with picnic tables.

A magnificent, long hike for those who are not afraid of heights, probably one of the best views in the region of the Aravis, Mont Blanc and Beaufortain. Please note: The second part of the ascent is very exposed and impressive, not recommended for those who are afraid of heights, children or inexperienced hikers.

A lovely circular starting from the Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park. The path alternates between refreshing forests, meadows and breathtaking views. Among other things, you will see a natural bridge carved into the rock, a Roman bridge and the Combe Noire waterfall.

A beautiful hike offering views of numerous mountain ranges along the way: the Aravis range, Tête du Colonney and surrounding area, the Mont Blanc range, Mont d'Arbois and Mont Joly. The route includes a difficult section where the path disappears from view for a few dozen metres due to a lack of maintenance. An alternative route is available if you wish to avoid this difficulty.

Magical: the Combe de la Nova and the Pierra Menta.

This route passes by the pretty little Lac des Évettes lake in the middle of the pine trees and then joins the Refuge du Petit Tétras near the arrival point of the Crêt du Midi chairlift with its original orientation table. Magnificent view of the Mont Blanc, Fiz and Aravis mountain ranges.

In the heart of the Beaufortain massif, a beautiful summit offering a wide and distant panorama.Although not difficult, the final climb to reach the Grand Mont requires a minimum of attention to find your way. (!) 4 August 2025: user report: > However, I would like to point out that the western shore of Lac de St Guerin is closed to hikers by municipal decree due to the risk of rockfalls. The hike must therefore start and end on the eastern shore of the lake.

A short, shaded and pleasant family trail, allowing you to discover the Les Saisies peat bog, classified as a nature reserve, as well as rare and protected species, including carnivorous plants. ⚠️ 17/07/2025: Route modified.

Lake Gittaz and the Curé passage.

This is an easy loop walk that allows you to see up close a major feature of the landscape at this end of the Beaufortain. Of industrial and historical interest (the construction of the dam is closely linked to the resistance movements in the area).

This is a round-trip hike through meadows and woods. The last part descends steeply to the wooden bridge over the Nant Rouge. This section can be quite slippery in wet weather. ⚠️Recommended for experienced hikers due to its dangerous nature (steep and very slippery sections).

A classic summit in the area, but with an unusual starting point. Beautiful view of part of the Les Saisies ski area. 360° panorama at Mont Clocher, and you can even catch a glimpse of the Roselend dam.

A very pretty hike through the mountain pastures, without any great difficulty, which will allow you to discover two neighbouring peaks south of Beaufortin. You can admire the incredible 360° landscape from Crêt du Rey and also the curious jagged ridge of La Raïsse. Mont Pourri and its glaciers will be omnipresent throughout the day.

A lovely loop starting from the Gittaz refuge, passing through the Passage du Curé in the Torrent de la Gittaz canyon, the Col de la Sauce, the north-east ridge of the Rocher du Vent, the Col de la Lauze and, above all, the Rocher du Vent tunnel.

This hiking route provides access to Mont Joly via the south face, bypassing the ridge between Les Croches and Le Joly. From the summit of Mont Joly, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama. Please note that the return journey involves a steep descent.

This is a circular walk based on trail 5 as promoted by the Arêches tourist board. It is well marked with yellow signs and paint flashes or markers for trail 5. There are good views over to Mont Blanc, the Beaufortain Mountains and the lake, although small, is a nice place to eat your sandwiches.

This is a circular walk based on trails 5 and 8 as promoted by the Arêches tourist board. For the most part it is well marked with yellow signs and paint flashes or markers for trail 5 & 8. There are good views over to Mont Blanc and of the Beaufortain Mountains.

This walk starts from the top of the gondola at Le Signal. It is an interesting walk, up to and through the Col de la Fenetre. The descent takes you back down through alpine pastures and into the valley leading back to Les Contamines-Montjoie. ⚠️ Please note that you need to park at (A) and not (D) for this walk ⚠️

A good ridge walk starting from the Bettex telecabin station at Mont d'Arbois and finishing at Le Signal telecabin station above Les-Contamines-Montjoie.

stage2 of the TMB: from Les Contamines-Montjoie to the Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme.