Walking along the Guisane river from Monêtier-les-Bains

This is a walk that could be called an aperitif if done early in the morning, or a digestif if done early in the afternoon. It is of course possible in all seasons, either on foot or with snowshoes.

Details

30167468
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 86 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 86 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,555 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,469 m

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite the Monêtier baths.

(S/E) Take the wide footpath, which has been well groomed by the Monêtier resort services. Continue following the footpath markers and the red and whiteGR®54markers to reach the Pont des Granges bridge.

(1) Do not cross the bridge, but stay on the track that continues opposite. Walk along the left bank of the Guisane river until you reach thefirst Casset bridge, the Moulin bridge.

(2) Cross the river and turn left to reach thesecond bridge. Cross it and then take the groomed trail on the right. You will reach athird bridge, which marks the end of the groomed trail.

(3) Continue left on a perfectly groomed snowshoe trail. Alternating between fields and forests, you will reach the Chirouzas bridge.

(4) Cross this bridge and then turn right onto the road to find the bridge on the groomed trail. Take it to the right and rejoin the route you have already taken.

(3) Turn left and follow the same route as on the way out until you reach the Moulin bridge.

(2) Cross the Guisane river and then the village of Casset. At the Maison du Parc, turn left onto the groomed trail that runs alongside the road.

(5) At the small bridge, cross the road and continue along the track, following the left bank of the Guisane. Walk past two ponds and the campsite until you reach Pont des Granges.

(1) Ignore it and stay on the left bank of the river to easily return to the car park, opposite the Monêtier baths (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,469 m - Car park opposite the Monêtier baths
  2. 1 : km 0.84 - alt. 1,481 m - Pont des Granges
  3. 2 : km 2.35 - alt. 1,510 m - Mill Bridge
  4. 3 : km 2.93 - alt. 1,530 m - End of groomed trail
  5. 4 : km 3.93 - alt. 1,555 m - Chirouzas Bridge
  6. 5 : km 6.07 - alt. 1,501 m - Small bridge
  7. S/E : km 7.92 - alt. 1,469 m - Car park opposite the Monêtier baths

Notes

This outing was done on the snow-covered footpath without snowshoes, so it was a walk on snow.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Francine Fichel
Francine Fichel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Done on snowshoes because the route was snowy but interesting.

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User 25976159

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A very good route in a particularly pleasant setting. Two drawbacks, however: part of the return journey (admittedly only a very short distance) is along the side of the road, and the walk (along the Guisane) is a little too short. It would benefit from being extended (slightly) to end at a point of interest beyond Le Casset.

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phidet
phidet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the heart of nature as it reawakens. A beautiful succession of hamlets.

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rando1420
rando1420

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Route completed on Saturday, 3 July;
Closure by a barrier at marker 5 of the hike. Return via the same route is mandatory.
Best regards.
JP RIMET

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Angie1109
Angie1109

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Taken on 14/07, a lovely, easy hike
Ideal for a solo or family outing
You cross the river, and the scenery is varied along the route.

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AlainLA
AlainLA

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike. A bit too much mountain biking during the season on the way from Monetier.
We didn't cross back over in 3 to take the same route, but continued along the little-used road to the village.
If you follow the route, the bridge shown on the map is closed to protect the pastures. Continue to the next wooden bridge about 100 metres away, then return to the hamlet.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello and thank you for your feedback.
Two comments on your remarks:
- Mountain bikes and now electric bikes sometimes behave in ways that can disturb hikers, bearing in mind that groups of hikers can also cause problems for them. This problem also occurs off-trail, particularly in towns, where scooters, bicycles, pedestrians and motor vehicles all share the same space.
- The Moulin au Casset museum is obviously worth a visit, so I will add it to the description.
All the best.

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ANNGVG
ANNGVG
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No snow on the trail.
We did the section of the trail from Monêtier-les-Bains to Le Casset and back. The trail is very pleasant. We would just like to point out that some mountain bikers do not warn pedestrians that they are coming and are potentially dangerous.
Don't forget to visit the small, informative and charming museum at Le Casset near the bridge, which is open to all. The return trip to Monêtier-les-Bains has little shade, so don't forget your hats!

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dino bertoli
dino bertoli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route completed in winter without snowshoes in beautiful weather, few people around.

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mandita
mandita

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route along the Guisane river, completed today on foot (without snowshoes) in the snow. Please note that a large part of the route is not accessible as it is closed to pedestrians (Nordic trail). This applies to the section from point 4 onwards, where you will need to turn back as it is impossible to complete a circular route. If the ground is covered in snow, it is best to set off before 2 p.m. as some areas become very slippery once they are in the shade.

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Chris3084
Chris3084
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did this ride on an electric mountain bike. I have an electric bike with 27.5-inch wheels. It's perfect for riding on snow.
A very beautiful route, almost flat. Fat bikes are allowed (signposted), which is rare enough to be worth mentioning.
Rather than starting from Monetier, it's nice to begin the e-MTB ride from the Pontillas lake (where the cross-country ski trails end).

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