Cirque de Saint-Même avec un peu d'adrénaline

After passing the car park toll, drive through the hamlet of Saint-Même-du-Haut, in the commune of Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, and 300 m further on, park in the Pont de Drugey car park.

(S/E) Continue along the road to the left of the Guiers (right bank) until you reach the inn. Continue along a path for 300 metres. Photo: The Cirque de St-Même

(1) At the sign, take the waterfall path on the left. It climbs in fairly steep switchbacks, passes in front of the Pisse du Guiers viewpoint and arrives at a fork in the path (altitude 1,035 m). Leave the path on the right towards the Grande Cascade and turn left where a small sign warns of danger. After 150 m, you will reach a second fork with no signpost (altitude 1,070 m). Photo: Fork marked by this rock

(2) Leave the Pas de la Mort trail climbing to the left and follow the slightly descending trail to the right. When you reach the waterfall, climb the embankment to its left and you will come to a rocky escarpment marked by a fault with a cable. This is the Pas Ruat. Photo: The Pas Ruat

(3) Pas Ruat crosses a well-equipped rocky escarpment and presents no difficulty except for the risk of slipping on the often wet rocks. Reach the top of the Cascade du Guiers waterfall. Behind the waterfall, you will see the entrance to the tunnel.

(4) Cross it on the right (cable) then on the left to make the best progress through the very large scree. The tunnel opens onto a fault lined with rock walls. Still on the right, take a small equipped ledge, running along the right wall. After a short climb, leave the horizontal path on the right, which you will take on the way back, and follow the one on the left. It leads to the Guiers spring cave after crossing a metal footbridge. Photo: Guiers spring cave

(5) At the top, you will see the entrance. Be careful, although the stream crossing is easy, it is very slippery. Bring a head torch to visit the cave. From the cave, turn back, do not go down into the fault, but follow the path noted above for 20 metres.

(6) Climb the rocky spur of the fault. After this short, cable-assisted passage, take the ledge that follows it and rejoins the Pas de la Mort path that you left before Pas Ruat.

(7) Climb to the right in a north-easterly direction. Cross the steps carved into the rock, a landslide equipped with a ramp and an uprooted tree lying across the path. Pass through an aerial strap well equipped with cables and ramps. Photo: Aerial ledge Then descend via a cable-equipped passage (superb view of the cirque) and after about 500 m, turn sharply to the right to approach a fault marked with a red arrow.

(8) This is the poorly named Pas de la Mort (Death Pass), which is in fact a simple chimney well equipped with chains, cables, steps, ramps and handles. Photo: Le Pas de la Mort ] At the exit, you will find a path climbing up through the forest with numerous hairpin bends to the left towards a small rocky ridge. Keep an eye out for cairns as the trail is not always visible. Walk along the ridge to the right until you reach its end. Climb up the switchbacks to a high rocky ridge. At 1,420 m, the trail runs along its foot, then climbs up a small valley and exits the forest.

(9) On the left (north), the path disappears into the meadow. Climb the grassy slope heading east, aiming for the ridge to join the^GR®®9(white and red markings). Photo: Towards the Habert de la Dame Take it on the left (north) and after a big bend, descend to the Habert de la Dame (Alpettaz hut). Continue downhill towards the edge of a wood until you reach a fork flanked by a sign (altitude 1,540 m).

(10) Leave the^GR®® towards Alpette (north-east) and follow the path towards Les Varvats and Saint-Même d'en Haut (north), marked in yellow and red. It descends into the forest until you reach a fork sign (altitude 1,280 m).

(11) Continue downhill to the left (west), still heading towards Les Varvats. When you reach a forest track, follow it to the right.

For a more direct return: As soon as the track levels out, after 300 m, you will see a large concrete beam on the left supporting the edge of the path. This is the start of a very steep path, marked by a few cairns, which goes in the opposite direction. It leads through the woods and takes you straight back to the car park.

To continue the circular track, follow the forest track for 500 m. At the sign, leave the direction of Les Varvats and follow the direction of Saint-Même d'en Haut (south-west). In the hamlet, continue left along the road and return to the car park (S/E).

Warning

This circular trail is poorly marked, and the adventurous sections are not marked at all: from point (2) to point (10). The risky sections are equipped with cables, handrails, steps, or handles.

Please note that this route, although not particularly technical, is exposed and is not suitable for people who are afraid of heights and have no experience of aerial crossings or climbing steps.

Avoid at all costs in wet weather due to the risk of slipping and falling.