The Sarrasins Bridge via the Lachat barns

Coming from Thônes, on leaving the village of Les Villards, take the Mont Lachat road. Park at the junction for Praz Cornet (Deux Nants stream car park).

(S/E) At the hiking sign, continue for a few metres along the Praz Cornet road, then cross a meadow on the left, climbing steeply until you reach a track suitable for vehicles. Take the track straight ahead.

(1) Leave the path leading up to Mont Lachat on your right. Turn left and then leave the track, passing under a chalet and following the sign for “Balcon des Fours”. Continue straight on until you reach the Chalet des Millières.

(2) Go round to the right, then over and round this chalet, following the signposts. You’ll come to a junction at Les Fours, marked by a signpost.

(3) Head straight on towards Les Fours Dessus. The path passes beneath the first chalet, then climbs steeply, going to the right of the next chalets before entering the forest. Continue along this path to reach the Frasse junction.

(4) Take the path on the right which leads to Les Granges du Lachat.

(5) At the first chalet, turn left and walk all the way round the building to start the ridge path: if you end up at the toilet block, you’ve gone the wrong way. Follow this track as best you can as it winds along the ridge. See Practical Information.

(6) Ignore the path branching off to the left – you’ll use that on the way back – and continue downhill along the ridge. At the end of the route, the path branches off to the left towards the Pont des Sarrasins (signposted).

(7) Retrace your steps for about 1 km.

(6) Look out for a small rock marked with two green arrows and turn right towards a tree with a signpost. The path descends steeply for 500 m, then more gently, and joins the path leading from La Frasse to La Combe Banon.

(8) Turn left to return to the La Frasse junction, which you passed on the way there.

(4) Turn right and then head for the junction at Les Fours, which you also passed on the way there.

(3) At the signpost, turn left towards La Côte and Le Mont.

(9) Cross a footbridge and take the path on the left. Walk past the Chalets de la Côte; the path continues to climb, then becomes a balcony path leading to the Chalets du Mont.

(10) Turn right to begin the descent.

(11) Ignore the path on the left heading towards Praz Cornet and keep to the right to reach the initial junction of the circular route.

(1) Turn left and, heading in the opposite direction to the way out, make your way back to the Deux Nants car park (S/E).

This route is clearly marked for the section from the car park to La Frasse and Les Granges du Lachat.
However, the ridge route is very tricky. There are still traces of faded red, yellow and green markings. It is easy to lose your way; if this happens, try to follow the ridge as best you can, as the end is slightly better marked with green markings.
(6) On the return journey, it is important to spot the small rock with an arrow marking the direction of the descent.
This descent path is very steep at the start, so please take care.
If necessary, head back to the barns and retrace your steps.

(5) For the more adventurous, at Les Granges du Lachat, you can make a round trip up to the viewpoint.