La Léchère walks

This loop south of the Lauzière allows you to explore both sides of the chain, climbing directly to the Pas de Sarvatan, then crossing the western slope via a well-marked trail before descending from the Col de Monjoie through beautiful meadows.

A beautiful walk with several stream crossings. But beware of snow at the beginning of the season.

A beautiful family hike that combines green mountain slopes with water flowing in small streams and waterfalls. At the end of the hike, there is a small lake with crystal clear water.

This is a circular walk based on trails 5 and 8 as promoted by the Arêches tourist board. For the most part it is well marked with yellow signs and paint flashes or markers for trail 5 & 8. There are good views over to Mont Blanc and of the Beaufortain Mountains.

This is a circular walk based on trail 5 as promoted by the Arêches tourist board. It is well marked with yellow signs and paint flashes or markers for trail 5. There are good views over to Mont Blanc, the Beaufortain Mountains and the lake, although small, is a nice place to eat your sandwiches.

This circuit in the Beaufortain offers abundant panoramic views, first of the Arêches valley, then of the heart of the Beaufortain. On the ridge path, let the Mont Blanc guide you.

Lake Gittaz and the Curé passage.

This hike will take you to the Pointe de Chaurionde via the Col du Haut du Four and the south-west ridge. Don't miss the chamois that inhabit the slopes. At the summit, you can admire Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc. You will cross the Vallon d'Orgeval (the valley of bears), which has now become a peaceful valley home to Tarine and Abondance cows and marmots.In June, the flora is magnificent and varied. Chaurionde means "round summit". (6) Access to the summit (or descent) via the Chalet de Coutarse is now prohibited (ZR zone of the PNR).

The Rocher du Vent is an impressive rock formation offering a bird's eye view of Lake Roselend, near the Cormet de Roselend. The route described here is unusual as it goes through a tunnel and then along a balcony path, so it is only suitable for walkers who are not afraid of heights or claustrophobia! Others can still discover the site by cutting across to the Lauze chalet.

A lovely hike in the Beaufortain to discover the five lakes of Forclaz. This is an easy route with no navigation difficulties, so you can leave your map in your bag. At the start, you are still in the mountain pastures, then gradually the environment becomes more and more rocky.

Lac de la Plagne is a classic day hike in the Peisey Valley. It takes you right into the heart of the Vanoise National Park in a very mountainous setting. The normal route can be done without a map, as it is entirely on theGR®5, which is why I am suggesting a wilder route here, but also more challenging due to numerous stream crossings and some off-trail sections.

Located in the heart of the Vanoise massif, this route is a good introduction to France's first national park and goes around the Aiguille de la Vanoise. In early summer (June), you'll easily spot ibex, marmots and maybe even chamois. It is best to park at the Fontanettes car park above Pralognan-la-Vanoise, but you can also start from Pralognan. Moderator's addition on 04/08/2021: Please note! For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended that you do this route in the opposite direction to the one suggested here. See the reviews at the bottom of this page.

This 3rd stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) follows the Torrent des Glaciers up 900m to the Col de la Seigne. Climbing gently, at first, for just over 10km before dropping down 300m to Lex Blanche. Let's do it! The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.

This is an easy loop walk that allows you to see up close a major feature of the landscape at this end of the Beaufortain. Of industrial and historical interest (the construction of the dam is closely linked to the resistance movements in the area).

A walk with superb panoramic views.

An out and return walk to Lac du Mont Charvin. Passing through woodland, then pasture before entering the higher and more rocky terrain. Great views Mont Blanc from the ridge above the lake.

A wide loop around the hamlet of Chaucisse, allowing you to visit three summits by combining routes that can each be done as a shorter hike. The views along the way are magnificent, with the Aravis, Beaufortain and Mont Blanc in front of us.

This walk starts from the top of the gondola at Le Signal. It is an interesting walk, up to and through the Col de la Fenetre. The descent takes you back down through alpine pastures and into the valley leading back to Les Contamines-Montjoie. ⚠️ Please note that you need to park at (A) and not (D) for this walk ⚠️

This loop trail runs through the suspended valley of Montmin and takes you to the monument of the Seven Fountains (1642), a Christian building with a very unusual design.

On the border between the Mont Blanc, Beaufortain and Tarentaise massifs, this hike will take you through alpine pastures to discover the Lacs Jovets at an altitude of over 2,100 metres.

Starting from the village of Gleysin, from the Bourgeat Noire car park, this beautiful loop in Belledonne connects several iconic sites in the Haut Bréda valley.The route passes by the Chalet du Bout, then climbs up to the Croix du Léat, before descending to the peaceful Lac du Léat, ideal for a quiet bivouac with views of the Chartreuse and the Bauges. The route continues to the Refuge de l'Oule, a small, friendly alpine lodge where you can also spend the night, then descends back to the starting point. We did this hike over two days with a night at the lake, but it can also be done in a day for the more experienced. A beautiful and varied loop, between forests, alpine pastures, open ridges and wild waterways.

Beautiful hike with views of the Tournette and Lake Annecy.

This 2nd stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) follows the river Le Bonnant upstream to climb over the Col du Bonhomme at 2,329m. Let's do it! The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.

Hike offering superb views of the Massif des Bornes, Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc.

The famous Taillefer ridge hike is a great hike to do directly from camping la ravoiure and les fontaines. Mostly woodland hiking (therefore nicely shaded in many parts, with superb views of the lake and mountains. Steep ascent to the L'oratoire but no particular technical difficulties. Some passages can be slippery in wet weather. Walking poles are good to bring! This hike is approx 3-5 hours long.

From Les Contamines-Montjoie; an out and return walk to the Lacs Jovet, joining and following the Tour du Mont Blanc trail for most of the way. There are more challenging alternatives to this walk to make it longer, more circular or technically harder; these are described in the useful information section.

Belle randonnée avec, au sommet de la Pointe de l'Observatoire, une vue à 360° sur la Xanoise (Pralognan, petit Mont Blanc, Peclet Polset) et plus loin le Mont Blanc lui même.

This is a lovely, easy hike in the Vanoise. It is also a lake circuit dominated by the Vanoise glaciers between the Dent Parrachée and the Grande Casse. From Lac Blanc to the Plan du Lac refuge, the route is neither mapped nor marked.

From the new car park at the Aussois dams, there is a fairly easy route around Lake Plan-d'Amont, which allows you to discover the four refuges in the southern part of the Vanoise National Park. You enter the heart of the park. In summer, there are many marmots and they are not shy. The landscapes are magnificent and varied, from the rhododendron bushes on the lake shore to the Labby glacier and the mineral deserts of La Fournache.

A hike offering splendid views of Lake Annecy and the villages of the Bauges Natural Park.

A circular walk from Les Contamines Montjoie up to the Refuge de tré la Tete and views of the Tré la Tete glacier, then descending to Combe Noire to the waterfalls before returning past the pretty chapel of Notre Dame de la Gorge.

A lovely, varied walk with undergrowth, meadows and small villages, with the added bonus of the Angon waterfall and superb views of the lake, La Tournette and the Dents de Lanfon.

An atypical route through bushes and over the lake.