Pointe de Sales

de fr

A magnificent ascent via the Sales Refuge.
After passing close to the Pleureuse, Sauffaz, Sales and Trainant waterfalls, the Sales valley offers us bucolic landscapes that contrast with the harshness of the surrounding peaks. It's like being in a Snow White cartoon... or, more to my taste, Shrek.
The rest of the route, no less remarkable, will lead us to a breathtaking panorama...

Details

n°377672
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.12 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,309 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,307 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,462 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,166 m
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Photos

Climbing up to the Sales refuge

Description of the walk

From Samoëns, turn right opposite the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval square towards Salvagny. Cross Salvagny then climb to Le Lignon, the end of the road (1180m).

(S/E) From the car park, follow the well-marked and signposted path south-west towards the Chalets and Refuge de Sales.

(1) At a crossroads, leave the path leading to the Alfred Wills Refuge on your left and continue straight ahead.
Climb up opposite into the Gorges de Sales to the Refuge de Sales.

(2) Then change direction and head left towards the north-east. At the start of the climb, the path is well marked.

(3) Take the trail on the right towards elevation 2244. From here, the route is less marked in this area of sharp limestone pavement. There are cairns, but you must pay close attention to avoid getting lost. We are now in ptarmigan territory, so please respect their peace and quiet.
The ascent ends on a beautiful sharp limestone pavement before reaching the summit of Pointe de Sales. The view is superb.

(4) From the summit, return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,167 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.4 - alt. 1,446 m - At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. - Cascades de la Pleureuse et de la Sauffaz
  3. 2 : km 4.46 - alt. 1,870 m - Refuge de Sales
  4. 3 : km 6.38 - alt. 2,249 m - Turn right at the sharp limestone pavement
  5. 4 : km 7.59 - alt. 2,448 m - Pointe de Salles
  6. S/E : km 15.12 - alt. 1,168 m - Car park

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Gomez Carlos
Gomez Carlos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very few people even up to the Sales refuge, which makes this route all the more beautiful. Then the view at the summit is sublime.

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Rochi1999
Rochi1999

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

So, yes, 1,300 metres of elevation gain is quite a challenge, but the scenery makes it well worth the effort; that's how beautiful this hike is! The waterfalls on the way to the refuge (1,877 metres, for those who are interested) and the 360-degree view from the summit are incredible.
We left at 8:30 a.m. from the car park yesterday (no stress, it's huge with over 150 spaces!) and returned at 3:45 p.m. after a 30-minute break at the refuge and 45 minutes at the summit, making for six hours of actual walking.
It was really busy up to the refuge, then there were three groups for the final climb, meaning a dozen people at the summit for our midday picnic. No particular difficulties, an easy and magnificent summit!

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fletcher_fr
fletcher_fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2024
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 with few visitors (four people at the summit plus two along the way) that can be completed in two days thanks to the proximity of the Sales Refuge. The trailhead at the refuge is located in front of the "Serpolet" chalet.

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raymondehautesavoie
raymondehautesavoie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very busy route to the Sales refuge, then much quieter to Pointe de Sales with magnificent views.

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gungnir80
gungnir80

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I was familiar with the area, having been to Col d'Anterne and Marteau near Brèche du Dérochoir several times, and I must say that we were delighted with this route, which we had never done before. On this beautiful August day, we were treated to a sublime 360° panorama, which we enjoyed for nearly an hour and a half during our picnic break. I highly recommend this hike. You should ask the people who run the Sales refuge for directions to the start of the trail, as it is not marked.
The climb is steady without any major difficulties, and the cairns at the end of the route help guide you to the summit, which is clearly visible.

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aventurier71
aventurier71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The view of the Mont Blanc massif is sublime, with beautiful views of Anterne and its lake. There are also beautiful views on the Buet circular trail, known as the "Mont Blanc des Dames", returning via Les Fonts. There are beautiful views of the Cirque du Fer à Cheval and the Dents d'Oddaz trail. I forgot to mention part of the Flaine sharp limestone pavement.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Le Grand Pré via the Chalets de Sales

Visorando member
Le Grand Pré via les Chalets de Sales
↔13.37 km ↗+902 m ↘-895 m ◔6h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
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.

Walking The Sales chalets from Le Lignon

Visorando member
Les chalets de Sales depuis le Lignon
↔9.58 km ↗+736 m ↘-736 m ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
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.

Walking From Le Lignon to the Alfred Wills Refuge via the small pass of Anterne

Visorando member
Du Lignon au Refuge Alfred Wills par le Collet d'Anterne
↔5.08 km ↗+686 m ↘-58 m ◔3h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
Beautiful climbs and pretty waterfalls, with panoramic views over the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval valley.

Walking Tour des Fiz in 4 days

Visorando member
Tour des Fiz en 4 jours
↔26.37 km ↗+2,058 m ↘-2,062 m ◔4 days ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
A superb four-day hike, with lakes, waterfalls, ladders, ibex, marmots and magnificent panoramic views, particularly of Mont Blanc, located 15 km away.

Walking From Lignon to Refuge Alfred Wills and descent via Refuge des Fonds

Visorando member
Du Lignon au Refuge Alfred Wills et descente par le Refuge des Fonds
↔15.47 km ↗+1,162 m ↘-1,162 m ◔7h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
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 :-) ).

Walking Circular from the Refuge des Fonts and the Cascade du Rouget

Visorando member
↔11.30 km ↗+648 m ↘-652 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
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.

Walking Traversée du Buet

Visorando member
Traversée du Buet
↔22.24 km ↗+2,345 m ↘-2,342 m ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
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.

Walking From the Alfred Wills Refuge to Châtelet d'Ayères via Lac de Pormenaz

Visorando member
Du Refuge Alfred Wills au Châtelet d'Ayères par le Lac de Pormenaz
↔10.05 km ↗+548 m ↘-943 m ◔4h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Passy (Haute-Savoie) (Haute-Savoie)
A beautiful hike at the foot of the Fiz cliff. Beautiful panoramic views from the Col d'Anterne, beautiful lakes and a dizzying descent.

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