Circular route via Les Confins starting from La Clusaz

A very pleasant hike alternating between forest and mountain pasture landscapes, suitable for experienced walkers due to a few steep sections.

Details

37063974
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 620 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 625 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,546 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,078 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park on the Route des Confins, in the car park at the Bossonnet ski lift station.

(S/E) Start the route in front of the Bossonnet chairlift ticket office, go round the building to the left, then take the steep path opposite to reach a crossroads on the edge of a copse.

(1) Take the path on the left towards the forest; be careful here: make sure you stay on the left-hand path as the one on the right is reserved for mountain bikes coming from the opposite direction. Pass under the ski lifts as you walk through the forest and reach the riding centre.

(2) Cross the Ruisseau du Var and continue on to reach the junction with a wider track.

(3) Take the path on the left towards Le Fernuy and follow it to the Notre-Dame des Neiges Chapel.

(4) Turn right towards Les Confins. At the crossroads marked by a cross, take the path on the left to reach the hamlet of Crêt Braffaz.

(5) Continue due east. At the next crossroads, turn left then right to reach Lac des Confins.

(6) Go round it on the right, come out onto the tarmac road leading to the hamlet of Les Confins and turn right to reach the Chemin du Danay at the entrance to the hamlet.

(7) Turn left onto this path and continue uphill. At the edge of the woods, you’ll reach a crossroads with several directions.

(8) Turn left towards the Tour du Danay (follow the mountain bike route), staying on this path until you reach another crossroads in the Covagnet clearing.

(9) Turn left towards La Clusaz, go round a barn and then head down the path. You’ll reach another crossroads with a building nearby.

(10) Turn right and continue along an almost level path. Pass the Col des Mouilles path on your right to reach a T-junction.

(11) Turn left towards La Clusaz and head for the hairpin bend just before a viewpoint.

(12) Turn left, continuing downhill: be careful, the path is not signposted but is perfectly passable. However, a few rocky sections require caution. You will reach another junction near a spring.

(13) Turn left onto the path towards the houses, then follow it to Route de Plattuy and continue downhill along this road towards La Clusaz. You will reach the Adroit district.

(14) Turn left, then head down Route de la Grallière. Cross Route de Plattuy, then continue straight on along Route de la Grallière. Keep going straight on until you reach the car park at the Bossonnet ski lift station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,083 m - Car park at Bossonnet station
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 1,125 m - Trail-mountain bike junction
  3. 2 : km 1.65 - alt. 1,202 m - Equestrian centre
  4. 3 : km 2.58 - alt. 1,291 m - Trail junction
  5. 4 : km 3.67 - alt. 1,209 m - Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Neiges (La Clusaz)
  6. 5 : km 4.48 - alt. 1,340 m - Le Crêt de Braffaz
  7. 6 : km 5.38 - alt. 1,368 m - Lac des Confins
  8. 7 : km 6.27 - alt. 1,404 m - Chemin du Danay
  9. 8 : km 7.03 - alt. 1,514 m - Multi-way junction
  10. 9 : km 8.89 - alt. 1,484 m - Le Covagnet - Tête du Danay
  11. 10 : km 9.46 - alt. 1,395 m - Crossroads with a building
  12. 11 : km 10.49 - alt. 1,371 m - Les Mouilles de la Perrière
  13. 12 : km 11.52 - alt. 1,350 m - Crossroads leading to the oratory and the - Belvédère du Christ Roi
  14. 13 : km 12.26 - alt. 1,239 m - Crossroads: spring
  15. 14 : km 13.26 - alt. 1,195 m - L'Adroit district
  16. S/E : km 14.19 - alt. 1,082 m - Car park at Bossonnet station

Notes

Good walking boots are recommended, as is suitable clothing, as the weather can be changeable; bring water with you, as there are no places to buy it apart from in Les Confins. Picnic tables can be found along the route, around Lac des Confins and just before Les Mouilles de la Perrière.

Worth a visit

Highlights along the route include numerous views of the valley, the Notre-Dame des Neiges Chapel and the village of Les Confins.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
philippe basty
philippe basty

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy hike with a gradual elevation gain over the length of the trail.
The return from point 13 is a little tricky to find.
We took the path downhill and then followed the path on the left leading to the residences to reach the starting point.

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Pierreclos
Pierreclos

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty, which can even be done in winter. I imagine it’s even more beautiful in spring, with Lake des Confins!

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schelker
schelker

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely circular walk starting from La Clusaz, offering a varied route that alternates between uphill and downhill sections, meadows and woodland. No particular difficulty.

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masdelaraz38
masdelaraz38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk took 3½ hours in pleasant weather. Make sure you bring water as there are few, if any, places to buy it along the way. The magnificent scenery (mountains, forests, clearings) made for a delightful hike. We passed a few mountain bikers, but with a bit of courtesy, everyone can enjoy the trail. Be careful if it has rained in the days leading up to your walk, as some sections can be quite slippery (pebbles and fallen leaves). There is a fair amount of elevation gain; not recommended for families. Walking poles aren’t essential but can be helpful. The route and signposting match the description. Thanks to the author for this breath of fresh air!

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