Dranse d'Abondance (rivière) walks

Discover the banks of the Dranse d'Abondance from La Chapelle d'Abondance towards Châtel and two beautiful waterfalls on the Ruisseau des Mattes. On the banks of the Dranse, see practical information.

A beautiful hike to the Boudimes nature reserve, where you may spot chamois depending on the season, followed by a climb to the Mattes mountain pastures accompanied by the sound of bells and marmots whistling. Forests and mountain pastures follow one another to our great delight, with superb views of the mountains surrounding the villages of Châtel and La Chapelle-d'Abondance, then passing at the foot of Mont de Grange (2,432 m) and its rocky ridges. You are in a protected area! See the regulations in the practical information section.

An easy summer hike in the playground of downhill mountain bikers. Panoramic views of Lake Montriond, Lake Geneva and the Portes du Soleil ski area. Descent via theGR®5and a forest path. You are in a protected area! See the regulations in the practical information section.

A short round-trip walk to the Queyset reservoir. Two tables are available around the reservoir for a picnic break. The short but steep climb through the forest should not be underestimated.

A walk that is mostly through woodland but offers beautiful views both towards Châtel and the Chalets de Lens. Ideal for a half-day walk on a hot day. You are in a protected area! See the regulations in the practical information section.

Starting from Châtel, the climb to this summit offers a superb 360° panorama, notably of Lake Geneva and the Mont Blanc massif. The route starts in the woods. The final section is exposed along the long Arête de Coicon. At the top, snowfields may remain even in the height of summer. You are in a protected area! Please see the regulations in the practical information section.

Hike, half road, half trail, loop, starting from the village centre, which offers several viewpoints of Pointe d'Autigny, Mont Jora, Mont de Grange and Mont Chauffé.

The Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) mainly follows the GR®5, with a few possible variations such as the crossing of the Haute Vanoise via the GR®55 and the Via Alpina, which this route takes instead of the GR®5 route via the Col de l’Iseran. It crosses the French Alps from north to south, from Saint-Gingolph to Nice. The guide includes web links to the many accommodation options along the route or nearby: mountain huts, lodges, campsites, cabins and shelters, excluding hotels. Although this guidebook details the GTA as a three-week trek, it can be adapted to suit your own pace, with stages of varying lengths, either completed in one go or in sections over several years. This journey, fuelled by the joy of freedom in unspoilt natural surroundings, will remain a superb and unforgettable experience, offering, moreover, the opportunity to meet many people with whom you can share this same passion for the mountains.

This second stage continues the traverse of the Chablais. The route winds through the beautiful Abondance valley amidst magnificent, tranquil scenery. From the Chalet de Bise, there is a steep climb up to the Pas de la Bosse. From the pass, the path descends to the chalets of Chevenne, then follows the Sechet stream, continuing the descent along the right bank to the Chapelle d’Abondance. It runs alongside the Thoules stream and then the Dranse, which it leaves at the hamlet of Le Moulin, before climbing towards Sur Bayard to the Chalet des Crottes. From there, it is best to leave the main GR®5 route and, via a western path, follow the detour leading to the Refuge de Trébentaz, as the Refuge de la Haute Bise – shown on the IGN map – no longer offers accommodation.

Itinéraire de la traversée des Alpes. De La Chapelle d’Abondance passer par le Haut Giffre pour un intermède suisse. Cette étape domine la Haute Vallée de la Dranse d'Abondance, passe par le domaine skiable des Portes du Soleil. Vous êtes sur une zone protégée. Voir la réglementation dans les informations pratiques.