From Sallanches to Burzier via the chapels

If you arrive by car, park in the car park below the Château des Rubins, which houses the Observatoire des Alpes.

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the Sallanche towards the château, then turn opposite. At the end of the tarmac road, take the small path that climbs up to the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Then follow the road to the right until you reach the junction with Route de Doran.

(1) Turn left and follow this road until the junction with Route de Sainte-Anne.

(2) Above this crossroads, turn right onto Chemin de Monargue. The tarmac then gives way to a path that rejoins Route de Doran in Mernex.

(3) Turn left and join a path, following the hiking signs. Cross Route de Lachat, continue straight ahead and rejoin Route de Doran. Cross and follow Chemin des Houches straight ahead. Back on Route de Doran, turn right until you reach the nearby three-way junction and keep left to reach Chapelle de la Pierre.

(4) Just above the chapel, turn left onto the path that climbs uphill, following the signs to the hamlet of Les Houches. Cross Route de Doran again and continue straight ahead

(5) Stop to admire the beautiful chapel of Les Houches and the view of the Aravis and the Sallanches valley. You can see the Arpenaz waterfall opposite, below the Aiguilles de Warens. Then take the path that continues behind the chapel and passes through Les Combes with its magnificent old farms: there is a water source here, ask permission if you see the owners. In the forest, reach the crossroads with the paths leading to Tornieux or Mayères.

(6) Take the path on the right that descends towards the Burzier car park. Please note that in wet weather the path can be slippery and muddy. Reach the car park, which is the starting point for hikes to Mayères or the Chalets de Doran.

(7) Go around the shelter and continue to the right along the path below to begin the descent towards Sallanches, following the hiking signs. Return to Route de Doran, follow it to the right for about 50 metres, then leave it to take the path on the left along the Ruisseau de la Cornache stream. Once on Route du Freney, turn right then left onto Chemin de Burzier Devant.

(8) At the bend, turn right onto the path that passes under a power line and leads to a house, where you should turn right. Continue straight ahead to reach Route de Doran opposite a large farm.

(9) Turn left and follow this road downhill until you reach a huge rock on the left after two hairpin bends.

(10) Just after this, take the marked path that descends to the left and leads to the Torche neighbourhood. A few metres before reaching Route de Doran for the umpteenth time at a hairpin bend, follow the small path that descends to the left in front of a beautiful chalet with a balcony. This is Chemin de la Torche, which you should follow to Sallanches. Cross Route des Pacots and continue opposite, walking along a wooded area before coming out onto Route de Saint-Roch.

(11) Turn left for a few dozen metres, then take the path on the right to reach Chemin de Bellegarde. First turn left then right to reach Rue Saint-Joseph, turn right, pass in front of the school of the same name and arrive at Place Saint-Jacques.

(12) Turn right, then left to pass in front of the forecourt of the Collégiale Saint-Jacques. When you reach the Médiathèque Ange Abrate, turn left onto Chemin du Révérend Jacquier, walk along the Sallanche and cross the bridge to return to the car park (S/E).

There are two or three water points on the hike near the farm, a nice shelter and picnic tables at the Burzier car park.

Wear good shoes and be careful as some paths can be slippery in wet weather, particularly the one that descends to the Burzier car park between (6) and (7).

If you can stop by the Sallanches Tourist Office (under the town hall, very friendly staff), you can find a map of this walk on the Sallanches tourist map. With the GPX track, you should have no trouble finding your way.

Chapels, views of the Sallanches valley, the Aravis, Warens and Mont Blanc.