Cirque de Saint-Même: a bit of an adrenaline rush

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

(S/E) Continue along the road to the left of the Guiers (right bank) as far as the inn. Carry on along a path for 300 m. Photo: The Cirque de St-Même

(1) At the signpost, take the Sentier des Cascades on the left. It climbs in fairly steep hairpin bends, passes the Pisse du Guiers viewpoint and reaches a signpost at a fork in the path (alt. 1,035 m). Ignore the path on the right towards the Grande Waterfall and turn left, where a small sign warns of danger. After 150 m, you’ll reach a second junction without a signpost (alt. 1,070 m). Photo: Junction marked by this rock

(2) Ignore the Pas de la Mort path climbing to the left and follow the path sloping gently down to the right. You’ll reach the waterfall; climb up the slope to its left and you’ll come to a rocky escarpment marked by a fault line with a cable. This is the Pas Ruat. Photo: The Pas Ruat

(3) The Pas Ruat crosses a well-equipped rocky escarpment and presents no difficulty apart from the risk of slipping on the often damp rocks. Reach the top of the Cascade du Guiers. Behind the waterfall, you’ll find the entrance to the tunnel.

(4) Cross it to the right (cable) then to the left to make the best progress over the very large scree. The tunnel opens out onto a fissure flanked by rock faces. Keeping to the right, take a small, secured ledge running along the right-hand wall. After a short climb, ignore the horizontal path to the right – which you’ll take on the way back – and follow the path to the left instead. This leads to the Guiers Spring Cave after crossing a metal footbridge. Photo: Guiers Spring Cave

(5) At the top, you’ll come to the entrance. Be careful: although the stream crossing seems gentle, it’s very slippery. Make sure you have a head torch to explore it. From the cave, turn back; do not descend back into the fissure, but follow the path mentioned earlier for 20 metres.

(6) Climb the rocky spur of the fault. After this short section, which is secured with a cable, take the ledge that follows it and rejoins the Pas de la Mort path, which you left before the Pas Ruat.

(7) Head up to the right, heading north-east. Climb some steps carved into the rock, cross a scree slope equipped with a handrail, and pass a uprooted tree lying across the path. Pass via an aerial traverse well-equipped with cables and handrails. Photo: Aerial ledge. Then descend via a section secured with cables (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 rather misnamed ‘Pas de la Mort’ (Death’s Pass), which is in fact a simple chimney well equipped with chains, cables, steps, handrails and handholds. Photo: Le Pas de la Mort. On emerging, you’ll find a path climbing through the forest via numerous hairpin bends to the left towards a small rocky outcrop. Keep a close eye out for the cairns as the track isn’t always visible. Follow the ridge to the right until you reach its end. Climb up a series of switchbacks towards a high rocky outcrop. At 1,420 m, the path runs along its base, then climbs up a small valley and emerges from the forest.

(9) To the left (north), leave the path as it disappears into the meadow. Climb (north-east) up the grassy slope, heading for the ridge to join the^GR®®9(marked in white and red). Photo: Towards the Habert de la Dame. Take the path on the left (north) and, after a wide bend, descend to the Habert de la Dame (Cabane de l’Alpettaz). Continue the descent towards the edge of a wood until you reach a junction marked by a sign (alt. 1,540 m).

(10) Leave the^GR®® towards L’Alpette (north-east) and follow the path towards Les Varvats and Saint-Même d’en Haut (north), marked in yellow and red. It descends through the forest to a signpost at a fork (alt. 1,280 m).

(11) Continue the descent 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 route: As soon as the track levels out, after 300 m, look out for a large concrete beam on the left supporting the edge of the path. This marks the start – in the opposite direction – of a very steep path marked by a few cairns. Through the woods, it leads directly back to the car park.

To complete the circular route, continue along the forest track for 500 m. At the signpost, ignore the sign for Les Varvats and follow the sign for Saint-Même d’en Haut (south-west). In the hamlet, turn left onto the road and return to the car park (S/E).

⚠️ This exposed route is not suitable for anyone who is afraid of heights or lacks experience of exposed traverses and climbing moves. It must be avoided at all costs in wet weather due to the risk of slipping.

Some sections are on a ledge where the GPS track may be just one metre away from the drop-off; this is why it is important to follow the route description in the exposed sections.

This route is not particularly technical but is exposed; it is not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo or who have no experience of aerial traverses or climbing moves.