Circular of the Grandes Platières

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A beautiful circular at the top of Flaine, in a spectacular sharp limestone pavement setting, with one of the most beautiful views of the Mont Blanc range as a bonus.

Details

n°314817
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 901 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 901 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,477 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,574 m
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Photos

Col du Colonney
sharp limestone pavement
sharp limestone pavement
The ascent

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the bottom of Flaine.

The first stage is to reach the top of the Aulp de Véran cable car via the ski slopes (Méphisto).

(S/E) Head back up towards the end of the resort towards the Grandes Platières cable car departure point.

(1) At the chalets, turn right and follow the track up the slope.

(2) At the crossroads, turn right again (still on the slope) and climb up to the Grand Grenier ski lift departure point.

(3) Turn left (basically continue climbing) and go to the top of the Aup de Véran cable car.

The second stage is to reach the top of the Grandes Platières cable car by crossing the sharp limestone pavement field.

(4) At the Aup de Véran cable car, turn left onto the sharp limestone pavement. The trail is marked with two red and white lines (GR®96variant) and numerous cairns. Roughly speaking, it passes to the left of the chairlift departure point, then continues to the right to go around the cliff and reach the Grandes Platières from behind (for those who are familiar with the area, you pass by the Méphisto supérieur piste).

(5) At the Col du Colonney, turn left towards Grandes Platières (red markings).

Caution: stay close to the markings and watch your step, as the sharp limestone pavement is dotted with cracks, some of which are very deep chasms. Also be careful of snow bridges if there is still snow on the ground.

When you arrive at the top of the Grandes Platières cable car, you can admire the view (panoramic table) while waiting for those who have chosen to take the cable car (the cable car operates all summer).

Third stage: descend

(6) Follow the path. Pass the cable car arrival point and continue straight on across the Platé desert.

(7) Pass to the left of Tête Pelouse.

(8) At Col Pelouse, turn left to descend to Flaine and not Samoëns.

(9) When you arrive at the resort (at the bottom of the Balacha ski lift, at the top of the yoghurt pots), turn left. Follow the road to the basin surrounded by sharp limestone pavement.

(10) Turn right (towards the Chalet des Cascades). Pass between the chalet and the tennis courts. On your right, there is a small path that descends to the Grandes Platières cable car station. Descend via the piste.

(11) Turn right towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,576 m - Car park, Aup de Véran cable car station - Flaine
  2. 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 1,600 m - At the chalets on the right
  3. 2 : km 0.86 - alt. 1,652 m - Still to the right
  4. 3 : km 1.62 - alt. 1,811 m - On the left
  5. 4 : km 3.16 - alt. 2,186 m - Turn left through the sharp limestone pavement
  6. 5 : km 4.37 - alt. 2,327 m - Turn left at - Col du Colonney (2321m)
  7. 6 : km 5.21 - alt. 2,477 m - At the top of the Grandes Plaitères cable car
  8. 7 : km 6.72 - alt. 2,354 m - To the left of the Tête Pelouse mountain. - Col de Platé
  9. 8 : km 7.56 - alt. 2,302 m - Turn left towards Flaine at - Col Pelouse
  10. 9 : km 11.23 - alt. 1,692 m - On the left, road at the bottom of the ski lift.
  11. 10 : km 11.44 - alt. 1,676 m - Turn right at the basin.
  12. 11 : km 12.07 - alt. 1,600 m - Turn right towards the car park.
  13. S/E : km 12.49 - alt. 1,576 m - Car park, Aup de Véran cable car station

Notes

Please note: the top of the climb is on a sharp limestone pavement, which is relatively dangerous terrain that requires good footwear and a minimum of caution (especially with children or dogs). You may need to use your hands to get through certain passages.
Be careful of the chasms, which can be very deep (some are used for caving) and are sometimes hidden by snow bridges.

Be careful not to trample the vegetation, which already struggles to grow up there (it is not the "Platé desert") for nothing, and the animals (especially the white partridge (endangered) which nests in these grass-filled hollows and whose nests/chicks can easily be crushed.

If you have a dog:
There is very little water at the top of Flaine, so remember to take enough with you (there may be toilets at the cable car).
You may want to bring booties if your dog has sensitive paws (the sharp limestone pavements are very abrasive).
At the top of the large plateaus (from the cable car to the Tête Pelouse mountain), this route runs alongside the Sixt-Passy nature reserve, so dogs must be kept on a lead.
There are numerous herds (sheep, goats, horses, cows), especially on the descent, so keep your dog on a leash as well.
Dogs are allowed in the cable car.

Approximately 3½ hours uphill and 2½ hours downhill.

Worth a visit

View of the Mont Blanc range from the top of the cable car.

Exhibition inside the cable car departure and/or arrival areas.

Numerous fossils in the sharp limestone pavement: geological trail at the top of the cable car (smartphone app).

The waterfall basin (on the descent when you arrive at the station) is a real blessing.

All the activities at the Flaine resort.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
didier burel
didier burel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The GR trail markings on the sharp limestone pavement seem to have been redone, as there are many directional arrows painted on the rocks.
There are many people at the summit who have taken the cable car, which detracts somewhat from the charm of this hike.

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Barrau73
Barrau73

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The signs numbered in the description do not exist and the route between Lake Gers and Col de Pelouse does not match up; the signs mentioned are not in place, which means you have to take a detour.
On the other hand, the landscapes are varied and splendid. The refuge is very welcoming. Worth doing.

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chouchouille2
chouchouille2

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with magnificent views of Mont Blanc, which (almost) makes you forget the 900 m elevation gain
The only potential difficulty for some is crossing the sharp limestone pavement, but in good weather and with caution (especially for children), this passage can be crossed without any problems.
Keep an eye out for cairns, as the GR trail markings could do with refreshing.
For those who need it, refreshments and snacks are available at the cable car arrival point.
The descent is easy, if a little monotonous, but offers beautiful views of Flaine.

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namarill
namarill

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very nice hike, suitable for anyone in good physical condition (we did everything on foot, but the climb can be tough for some). Not recommended in wet weather or for young children. The lapiaz is beautiful and spectacular. Pay close attention to the paint marks: white and red, then orange at the Col du Colonney (they are no longer red as of September 2019) on the cairns on the sharp limestone pavement.
The map was extremely helpful.
I can't comment on the view, which we sometimes guessed was breathtaking: we were right in the clouds!
The hike becomes a little less interesting from a technical point of view on the descent, after the large plateaus. A very beautiful view finally cleared up , thank you!

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loupias
loupias

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

great hike

Overall, the way the hikes are presented is great. (GOOD WORK)

The content is generally good, but sometimes it's better to have the GPS track so you know where to go.

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trs01
trs01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Your beautiful hike on the sharp limestone pavement, once at the top. At the start, at the stadium, head towards the Aujon viewpoint and then join the Plan des Chardons, which avoids the climb up the road and gives access to a balcony path to reach the Plan des Chardons (1820m). Once you reach the Chapeau (2196m), descend below the Aup de Véran to pick up the GR trail markers and cross the lapiaz to the Col du Coloney.

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LaBigo53
LaBigo53

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Pay close attention to the paint marks and cairns on the sharp limestone pavement.
Another snowfield at Col du Colonney on 14/07/2018.

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Lskn22
Lskn22

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very interesting route.
The sharp limestone pavement is dangerous, but how beautiful it is.
A desert that lives up to its name.
Magnificent panorama at the summit of Les Grandes Platières.
The ibex came to say hello during our lunch break.

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froelich
froelich

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Wonderful hike.
We took the cable car up and did a circular loop around the Platé desert.
On the way down, we chose the grassy path over the rocky one.
Almost at the end, we saw a marmot and heard it whistling.
A really great area, shame that the village of Flaine spoils the landscape!

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MK58
MK58

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb views of the valley and Mont Blanc
Beautiful hike with ibex in attendance
Impressive landscape of sharp limestone pavement - Worth discovering

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, pierrot66
Did you encounter any problems with the route you rated "average"?

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pierrot66
pierrot66

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

There is still some snow left. You have to watch where you put your feet because there are many crevasses in the sharp limestone pavement at the end.
The view from the top is magnificent over the Arve Valley.
The Flaine cirque is very beautiful.

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co27684
co27684

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike through breathtaking landscapes.
Best avoided in late autumn/winter, as there is a risk of slipping on the sharp limestone pavement and snow (we got caught out, which was not without risk...).

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william69
william69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great hike!! Magnificent view of Mont Blanc, discovery of sharp limestone pavement! The fault lines, crevasses and chasms give the impression of a lunar landscape, a must-see!
Encountering ibex is a definite bonus on this hike.
However, the markings at the start of the hike are sparse, so I did it in the opposite direction, which made some passages tricky with wet soles.

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