From Les Deux Alpes Mont de Lans to Les Deux Alpes Venosc via Clos des Balmettes

An easy hike to warm up and enjoy a superb view of the Deux Alpes resort. In this sense, the route allows you to benefit from the shade of the forest on the way up, and therefore to arrive in good conditions at Clos des Balmettes, where the descent to the resort will be in the open.

Details

3587541
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.04 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 275 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 219 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,879 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,600 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Place de l'Alpe de Mont de Lans, departure from the Vallée Blanche chairlift.

(S) Follow the footpath towards Prairies de Peysau, which branches off to the right.

(1) Cross the path that climbs up to route 612 towards La Molière on the right.

(2) Just after passing under the chairlift, cross a diagonal track and take the path that climbs opposite (unfortunately there is no sign at this point...). This is where the climb to Clos des Balmettes begins, in the cool of the forest. Reach the chairlift again.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the path that follows the contour line and you will reach another chairlift arrival point at La Bergerie.

(4) Follow the signs for Clos des Balmettes and join the piste at La Bergerie. At La Bergerie, opposite the Deux Alpes resort, take route 604 which branches off to the right. Pass under a chairlift and follow the descending path, ignoring the branches to the right or left.

(5) Ignore the path on the left and continue along the woods on your right. You will reach the "Prince des Écrins" residence in Les Deux Alpes Venosc (E).
At this point, you can take the free shuttle bus back to Place de Mont de Lans.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,649 m - Place de l'Alpe de Mont de Land
  2. 1 : km 0.62 - alt. 1,654 m - Towards route 612 in the direction of La Molière
  3. 2 : km 2.19 - alt. 1,620 m - Towards Clos des Balmettes
  4. 3 : km 3.73 - alt. 1,869 m - Chairlift opposite.
  5. 4 : km 5.4 - alt. 1,767 m - Towards Prince des Ecrins (route 604)
  6. 5 : km 6.16 - alt. 1,758 m - Fork in the road, opposite
  7. E : km 7.04 - alt. 1,705 m - Prince des Ecrins

Notes

Wide paths, no equipment necessary other than walking shoes.

Worth a visit

You can picnic just before Clos des Balmettes, with superb views of the surrounding mountains. For those with a hearty appetite, you can choose to climb up to Clos des Balmettes after stopping at La Molière for lunch at the charming restaurant there...
In any case, you can have a coffee at La Bergerie!

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Cataleya
Cataleya

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in sunny weather.
It starts under the trees, crosses fields with cows, and climbs steeply to offer magnificent views of the various mountain ranges and the Deux Alpes resort.
The return route takes you along the resort's main street, so don't hesitate to cross to the other side to avoid the cars and enjoy the peace and quiet at the foot of the slopes.

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nerics
nerics

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, this is a nice little hike to get back into shape.

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Bruno64
Bruno64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, very pleasant hike, partly through the woods, return via Les Deux Alpes. Note: take the stairs at the end of the route to avoid the road.

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Franky59
Franky59

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy hike, beautiful view.

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cccenmaraude
cccenmaraude

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike already known in part, modified and adapted with a detour to La Molière.
Please note in the hike description: the Bons chairlift has not been in operation for quite some time!
It cannot therefore be used as a reference point for this hike.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, Smile, for your comment, which I hope will be read by the author of the hike.
It is often necessary to update the descriptions.

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Smile
Smile

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello and thank you for this hiking guide ).

I did it a few days ago and it was beautiful once I got to the top. I experienced everything: rain, sunshine, storms, rainbows, magnificent!

But I had trouble with your explanations... It went well at first, but it would have been better if you had described the different signs you might come across, because there are a lot of them and even if they don't indicate the direction you want to go, they can serve as landmarks.

Also, you mention a chairlift at landmarks "2" and "3"... I didn't see any chairlifts apart from the one called "Télésiège de la côte" on the map, shortly after the starting point. The chairlift you mention must no longer exist. I checked the IGN map and it's no longer there, which is why I was confused.

But anyway, it was a very good hike to get back into shape.

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