Giffre (rivière) walks

A lovely walk in the Giffre valley, starting from the immense glacial amphitheatre known as the Fer à Cheval, to reach the Fond de la Combe, with magnificent waterfalls, particularly in spring; the flora and fauna are also impressive. Moderator's note, following a comment from a user on 17 June 2023. The footbridge at Fond de la Combe is temporarily closed by municipal order and if you want to go to Bout du Monde, you should cross to the right bank of the Giffre at the Prazon chalet. The loop indicated here is therefore not currently possible.

This place really does exist and it’s not far away! To get there, simply:- head to the stunning Sixt Fer à Cheval cirque,- take the wide tracks and paths starting from the car park,- continue on to the front walls.

As Hugues Aufray sings:Come on lads, wake up, we’ve got to get a move on, we’re off to the ends of the earth...Walkers who aren’t afraid of heights, or who can overcome their fear, will be rewarded with sublime views.

A superb hike in the Giffre Valley, much of which is in the Sixt Passy nature reserve, with exceptional scenery and breathtaking views.

Discover the ancient Tines Gorges, carved out by the Giffre. Now abandoned by this turbulent torrent, these gorges offer a spectacular walk. Please note: message from a hiker dated 18/09/2022: Part of the walk is closed by prefectural order due to the risk of falling trees. Another message dated 19/07/23 states: The path is destroyed in several places due to tree felling. Please check before planning this trip

A must-see in this mountainous area, close to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, this hike offers views of magnificent landscapes. Between the cliffs, you follow the Giffre river and admire the many waterfalls of the torrents that flow into it. It starts here from the car park just after Nambride, the last car park where you can park for free to access the site. You can therefore shorten this hike (see practical information and other descriptions on Visorando). Most of the elevation gain is at the bottom of the valley and can also be avoided (see practical information).

After climbing up the Giffre torrent, cross the impressive footbridge over the Tines Gorges. Head to the hamlet of Le Mont and its small chapel to return to Samoëns, passing through picturesque villages.

A very beautiful day hike with a wide variety of landscapes. Please note: the Pas du Boret pass should only be attempted by experienced hikers who are not prone to vertigo. If you do not feel comfortable walking along the mountainside, take the route via Bout du Monde instead. Avoid the Pas du Boret if the weather conditions are not favourable.

A superb circular hike to Pointe de Bellegarde, offering magnificent panoramic views throughout: after passing through Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, the ascent is via Pas du Boret, the Vogealle area and Col des Chambres. The return route is via Vallon du Salvadon.

A lovely hike in the Cirque du Fer à Cheval with its remarkable waterfalls, a stop at the Bout du Monde, with a balcony path through the forest to reach the Chalet du Boret, and a steady climb to reach the Refuge de la Vogealle perched on a pretty plateau. Important note: this route requires a taxi shuttle from the Cascade du Rouget to the Cirque du Fer à Cheval (14 km) to reduce the walking distance.

This fourth stage crosses the Giffre massif to reach the Anterne Refuge, situated in a magnificent setting at the foot of the impressive Fiz cliff face. From the Refuge de la Golèse, the GR®5 descends into the Clévieux valley (south-east), passing the Chavonnes chalets and then the hamlet of Les Allamands, where it joins the road. It runs alongside the road and follows it as far as Les Moulins, where it follows the left bank of the Clévieux and crosses through Samoëns. On leaving the town, it follows the Giffre upstream, first on the right bank then the left, before leaving the river to follow its tributary, the Giffre des Fonds. The GR®5 crosses it at the Pont des Nants and again at the Pont de Sales, before climbing up to the hamlets of Fardelay and Lignon and entering the Torrent de Sales valley. At the Pleureuse waterfall, it leaves this valley to head north-east, pass the small pass of Anterne and descend to the Anterne stream before climbing up to the Anterne Refuge.

Straddling the Franco-Swiss border, the Dents Blanches, Dents du Midi, Tenneverge, Mont Ruan and Aiguilles Rouges. An area strongly shaped by the folding of the Alps, with surprising landscapes ranging from lunar deserts to high-altitude lakes, waterfalls and forgotten mountain pastures. A wild and unspoilt nature that only hikers can discover. Alpine valleys, often isolated by "pas", technical and cabled paths opening the doors to this universe of raw and grandiose nature...