The Montaimont Meadow

The Prairie de Montaimont is a vast, easy area that is ideal for snowshoeing. This route quickly offers magnificent panoramic views (Belledonne, Cheval Noir, the Col de la Madeleine, the Maurienne Massif, the Aiguilles d'Arves in the distance, etc.).

Details

113850
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Last update:
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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.46 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 3 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 584 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 584 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,875 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,291 m

Photos

Description of the walk

At La Planche, there is a car park on the left after the bridge, a few dozen metres from the start.

(S/E) At La Planche, there is a marked path (sign) that branches off to the right (east). Follow this path, which runs alongside the Ruisseau de Settaz stream, to the Moulin de la Settaz mill.

(1). Cross the stream and follow it north towards the Chalet des Combes. Go around this chalet to the north. The slope becomes a little steeper and turns east. Continue on this path until you reach the junction with the path coming from the right, from Lac du Loup and Taramur.

(2). Turn left heading north to reach the main road.

(3). Follow this road to the left until you reach the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel.

(4) The path on the left takes you directly back down to La Perrière.
For the long route: continue along the road, which turns into a track, still heading north. Pass close to the Chalets des Reys until you reach a place called La Grolle (sign and viewpoint at 1,800 m). Take the track on the right to reach the Chalets de la Grolle.

(5). A little further up, you will see a wooden cross on a high point. Head towards it for a magnificent view, particularly of the Col de la Madeleine and Saint-François-Longchamp.

(6) Take the track again to reach the start of the ridge line that leads to Le Paradis.

(7) Continue to the place known as Le Paradis.

(8) Descend this slope (south-east) until you reach a path.

(9) Continue south until you reach the path that descends from the chapel; short circular.

(10) Follow it to the hamlet of La Perrière and take the road that will take you to Les Bigots and then back to your starting point, "La Planche" (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,291 m - Car park at La Planche
  2. 1 : km 0.42 - alt. 1,344 m - Moulin de la Settaz
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 1,520 m - Junction with the path (Le Loup Taramur)
  4. 3 : km 1.65 - alt. 1,541 m - Junction with the road
  5. 4 : km 2.59 - alt. 1,629 m - Chemin la Perrière junction (short circular)
  6. 5 : km 5.51 - alt. 1,839 m - Chalet de La Grolle
  7. 6 : km 5.84 - alt. 1,875 m - Wooden cross
  8. 7 : km 6.37 - alt. 1,808 m - Start of the ridge line
  9. 8 : km 7.23 - alt. 1,704 m - Le Paradis
  10. 9 : km 8.23 - alt. 1,515 m - Junction with path
  11. 10 : km 9.01 - alt. 1,394 m - Circular trail junction
  12. S/E : km 10.46 - alt. 1,291 m - Car park at La Planche

Notes

This route can be done on snowshoes, on foot or a combination of both, depending on the season and snow conditions.
Don't forget your hats and other headgear, as this route is very exposed to the sun. Bring plenty of water.

This route also allows those who wish to do so to take a shorter circular route, following a marked path that descends directly to the hamlet of La Perrière (turn left at the small Sainte-Marguerite Chapel (4)).

Worth a visit

There are many points of interest: superb panoramic views, Lac du Loup, the small Sainte-Marguerite Chapel, a superb ridge line leading to paradise (it feels like you're in heaven). This hike can be done on snowshoes until the end of March. The small, characteristic villages of La Perrière and Les Bigots are pleasant to walk through.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
philippe basty
philippe basty

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike on a sunny autumn day.
The return journey after crossing the ridges is less well marked, but it is not difficult to find the right path.

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Vivre01
Vivre01

The Montaimont meadow pdf file impossible to open ???!!! So I went on another hike! Have a great end of the year!

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Nath.Jacquemoud
Nath.Jacquemoud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike at this time of year
No need for snowshoes

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Sidoun
Sidoun

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful snowshoe hike in sunny weather, on fairly hard snow... and therefore relatively busy. But the arrival on the plateau and the views are well worth the trip.
The last kilometre, on a road that is admittedly very quiet, is the only downside to the walk.
Time: 3 hours 20 minutes without climbing up to the wooden cross at Point 6.

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Deuxpattes
Deuxpattes

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

All-day hike in the mist;
we had to make our own trail for most of the way; in soft snow, with water running underneath on the downhill slope, where we often sank up to our knees
All accompanied by the violent and icy sirocco wind on the peaks
. It took us 5 hours without breaks and with only a quick snack.
However, the little we were able to see of the landscape made us determined to return to the area as soon as possible...
Thank you for this post!

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Visophi
Visophi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
The snow is good, even if there isn't much at the start. A very beautiful hike. The area offers many possibilities. However, I am surprised by the estimated time. It's better to allow around 4½ hours, including breaks and photo stops. Let's take the time to admire the scenery!

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lambda
lambda
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful, open walk. Stunning views for two-thirds of the hike.

The description doesn't add much more than the map (we had questions several times). Furthermore, according to standard snowshoeing guidebooks, this hike takes more like 3 hours 45 minutes rather than 3 hours (although Kilian Jornet could probably do it in less than an hour ).

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roro57
roro57

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike starting from La Perrière (car park at the entrance to the village) where we headed towards Col du Paradis and Buffat, tackling the difficult part of this hike first, which took us through pretty hamlets and typical villages.Be careful after the sign indicating the direction of "Col du Paradis" or "Lac du Loup" not to miss the path that goes left towards the pass, otherwise you will cut your route short by arriving directly at the three chalets described.After a break at Lac du Loup, we took a detour via Le Loup and Tarmar to return to Moulin de la Settaz and the car, with beautiful views of the valley.

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auvray mf
auvray mf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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catherinep
catherinep

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike, despite some difficulty finding our route due to snow covering the path. We'll be back in the summer!

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FANNY73
FANNY73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did it on touring skis, it was brilliant.

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Bisserain73
Bisserain73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We set off from La Perrière and joined the route above Les Bigots via a small trail through the meadows.
Above 1,500 metres, the snow conditions were excellent; below that, it quickly became problematic.
Very beautiful, wide-open views.
Walking time: approximately 4 hours.

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Doix
Doix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We snowshoed above 1,500 metres; there was no snow below that. It must be even prettier in summer.

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lesblablarando
lesblablarando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

Lesblablarando really enjoyed this snowshoe hike. The snow is starting to melt!
No need for snowshoes below 1500-1600 m, above that it's just slush!
Just one observation: allow four hours rather than three for this hike, especially if you want to enjoy
the scenery. It must also be a lovely walk in spring.

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