Giffre 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 exists and it's not far away! To get there, simply: - go to the superb Sixt Fer à Cheval cirque, - take the wide tracks and paths from the car park, - continue to the front walls.

A superb walk facing the long barrier of the Rochers des Fiz (or Chaîne des Fiz – Massif de Platé, Haut Giffre), in an exceptional setting with a section of the route running alongside the Souay torrent. When the sun is shining, the reflections of Lake Pormenaz are truly beautiful.

As Hugues Aufray sings: Get up, guys, wake up, we've got to get going, we're going to the end of the world... Walkers who are not afraid of heights, or are able to overcome their fear, will be rewarded with sublime views.

A lovely, easy hike that climbs up to Lac Vert and goes around it. Along the way, there are beautiful views of the Mont Blanc massif.

This is a fairly short, easy walk. The mountain pasture and lake are magnificent, but the access path, which is sometimes quite muddy, is mainly in the forest and offers few views.

With its lunar landscape, peaceful atmosphere and magnificent views, Platé is a site unlike any other. Hike to discover a site with exceptional geological, floral and fauna riches. The size of the site makes it the largest sharp limestone pavement in Europe.

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

At an altitude of over 3,000 metres, there is a magnificent viewpoint over the Aiguilles Rouges and the Mont Blanc massif. This is a long and demanding hike in a wild setting offering superb panoramic views. This hike can be done in a single day (Very Difficult) or over two days with a night in a refuge (Difficult).

A very beautiful hike starting from Le Lignon in a magnificent setting (Passy - Haut-Giffre nature reserve). Depending on the season in which you do this hike, take into account the crossing of several snowfields (very late in 2013) and numerous streams that "cut" the path.

This is a fairly short walk with no real difficulty. There are beautiful views for much of the route and the scenery at the top is superb.

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).

An extraordinary hike that almost forms a loop, starting from the Châtelet car park; a complete change of scenery guaranteed in an exceptional environment (Passy and Sixt nature reserves; Platé desert). You will need two vehicles.

Crossing the Buet, ascending via the Refuge de Grenairon and descending via Les Fonts. It is a long loop with a significant elevation gain and a section at an altitude of 3,000 metres. Having done this hike again in the direction of Grenairon chalet to Fonts chalets, I am repeating the description as it is much easier, shorter (approx. 9 to 10 hours), and it is easier to see the rest of the path from above when descending from Beaux Prés.

This former mountain pasture is located at the foot of the Aiguilles de Warens and offers a beautiful landscape reminiscent of certain panoramas in the Dolomites. A superb circular, where you will pass the Aiguille de Varan from the Zéta. At Lachat d'en Haut and along the route, you will also enjoy superb views of the Mont Blanc Massif, the Aravis Massif and the Fiz Massif.

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 short circular hike, allowing you to admire the 360° panorama from Pointe d'Angolon and then enjoy the calm and beauty of the lakes of Nyon Guérin and Joux Plane. Please note that the ridge walk may not be suitable for those who are prone to vertigo.

A very pleasant short hike with beautiful scenery and superb views of the Arve Valley and the Aravis mountain range (with a view of Pointe Percée). Suitable for children who can walk a little.

This hike allows you to discover the Les Gets ski resort. It offers beautiful panoramic views of the Les Gets, Morzine and Samoens valleys. Route through the forest or mid-mountain, passing by the Col and Lac de Joux Plane.

A beautiful circular hike from Passy in a rugged environment with a remarkable summit overlooking the Arve valley. The wild and vertiginous crossing from the Aiguille de Varan to the Désert de Platé is quite unforgettable. The hike can be split into two by staying overnight at the Refuge de Varan. This hike should not be attempted in uncertain weather or foggy conditions.

An easy family walk that can be enjoyed in all seasons.

A beautiful circular at the top of Flaine, in a spectacular sharp limestone pavement setting, with one of the most beautiful views of the Mont Blanc range as a bonus.

This route presents no difficulties other than the distance and elevation gain, and can be completed in one go by well-trained hikers. The route is fully signposted and can be completed in its entirety by following the directions on the signs and markings (a little more difficult when the "high" part is snow-covered, as it was during our last hike :-) ).

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.

This hike includes some vertiginous passages on the ridges between Col de Joux Plane and La Bourgeoise, overlooking Samoëns and the Giffre valley.

A beautiful hike near Les Carroz d'Arâches. Between forest and mountain pastures, it first leads to the shores of Lac de Vernant, located between Tête du Pré des Saix, on the Les Carroz d'Arâches and Samoëns side, and Grands Vans on the Flaine side. The ascent then leads to the Col de Vernant with a distant view of the Cirque du Fer à Cheval, then to the Tête du Pré des Saix itself, which offers a remarkable panorama of Mont Blanc and its massif, as well as the other surrounding massifs. The descent finally ends at Lac de l'Airon, the last stage before the finish.

A hike from Le Lignon to the Sales chalets. It crosses forest and mountain pasture landscapes. Following the Sales torrent, you can admire the various waterfalls along its course. You will cross the Pas de Sales, a passage carved into the rock by farmers in the 19th century to bring their herds up to the mountain pastures. It is still used today. In addition to the domestic animals that make up the herds found around the chalets of Sales, it is not uncommon to see marmots and ibex, even close to the trails. This beautiful hike will delight your eyes.

The first stage of a two-day excursion to Lac d'Anterne, this day allows us to reach the Refuge du Col d'Anterne via Les Argentières and Lac de Pormenaz.

This is a long hike with a significant elevation gain. The effort is rewarded by panoramic views throughout the route.

A lovely mountain walk, easy at first, at the bottom of a wooded and green valley, then difficult, on the mountainside, exposed to the sun. Interesting waterfall. Panoramic view from the pass. ⚠️ This route crosses the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

From the Moëde Anterne refuge where you will have spent the night, there is a beautiful climb to the Col d'Anterne, facing Mont Blanc, then a return trip to Lac d'Anterne. The descent from the pass is via the 4X4 track to spare your joints.

A loop via the magnificent and wild Trè-les-Eaux valley on the way there and via the Col de la Terrasse and the Refuge de Loriaz on the way back. Exceptional 360° panorama from the summit!Trè-les-Eaux is one of the few places in the Chamonix valley that is still untouched by mass tourism.

Second stage of the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges. This second stage follows the itinerary of the Mont Blanc GRP®. Hike through the Passy Reserve to the Col de Salenton. It's optional to climb the Mont Blanc des Dames: le Buet. Descent through the Vallon de Bérard nature reserve to the mountain hut.

A very popular out and back walk into the nature reserve above Sixt Fer A Cheval. Excellent scenery but best enjoyed out of the main summer season when it is very busy. For information: following the collapse of cliffs on 06/09/2025 in the Méridienne - Pas Noir sector, access to the Fond de la Combe can only be made until further notice via the right bank of the Giffre.

Starting from Buet, this is a large loop in a very rocky landscape. After the Refuge de la Pierre in Bérard, the ascent of Mont Buet and the Cheval Blanc pass, the circuit makes a short detour into Switzerland to visit the dinosaur site. The return journey is via the Col de la Terrasse, the Refuge de Loriaz and the hamlet of Couteray ⚠️ This route crosses the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

A long and demanding hike to climb a summit that offers a superb panorama. The first part of the ascent takes place mainly in the forest. The terrain opens up after the Refuge de Folly. The route from Lac des Chambres is very pleasant, in a beautiful high mountain setting. It is of course possible to stop at Lac des Chambres, which is in itself a lovely destination for a hike (see practical information).

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.

Straddling the French-Swiss border, between Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and Champéry, this marked trail takes you between alpine pastures and high mountains. The Dents Blanche pass is remarkable for its geology, with its tightly folded limestone layers. A steep descent down a rocky chimney (with cables) takes you to the Col de Bostan, on the French-Swiss border. The Pas de la Bide, a tricky passage with its famous letterbox, leads to the Brame mountain pastures and the Auberge de Bonavau.

A lovely hike passing through the Col de Salenton, descend to take the balcony path through the mountain pastures of the Vallée de la Diosaz. Continue on to the Refuge de Moede-Anterne, then the Col d'Anterne and descend to the magnificent Lac d'Anterne. Then reach the Refuge des Fonts via a pretty path passing through the Petit Col d'Anterne. ⚠️ This route crosses the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

Pass through the listed site of dinosaur footprints, then climb up to Cheval Blanc and reach the summit of Buet via the ridges. A difficult alpine route classified as T4 with breathtaking views of the Aiguilles Rouges.

A pretty route, with views of the Tour and Argentière glaciers, which passes through the Refuge de Loriaz to reach the Barrage d'Emosson via a balcony path and finishes at the Refuge du Vieux Emosson.

A route through a very wild landscape between two bucolic lakes, with views of Mont Blanc. Very stony trail, ideal after rain. Shaded route in the first and last quarters.

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 route, starting from Salvagny (Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval), follows the course of the Giffre des Fonts to the Refuge des Fonts and then on to the Cascade du Rouget waterfall. The route alternates between forest paths and views of meadows. It is not uncommon to see wildlife (marmots, ibex, etc.) and colourful alpine flora.

A short circular walk from the top station of the Telecabin du Grande Massif Express. A short variant is also described to take in the two lakes. Magnificent views from the Tête du Pré des Saix.

Apart from the first hill at the start this is a mainly flat and low level walk from Samoens to Sixt Fer a Cheval and back taking in the Gorges des Tines. It is a pleasant walk with a lot to see and do.

A circular route encompassing a stunning ridge hike with views down to the glacial valley of Samoens and Sixt Fer a Cheval whilst overlooked by Mont Blanc.

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...

This route begins with a detour off the beaten track, suggested to us by the refuge warden, to reach the Col de la Terrasse. An alpine route with the Emosson dam in the background and a chance to discover the lakes at the Col du Corbeaux. After a long descent at the foot of Mont Buet in the Tré les Eaux valley, cross a long ledge equipped with cables and ladders to finally reach the Chalets des Granges and arrive at the Couteray car park.