Tour of Bisanne

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A leisurely walk through the mountain pastures.
No major difficulties
Perfect for families.
At the cross, take the path that goes uphill when you have your back to the cross. I didn’t see any signposts.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note: the route does not start from the Col des Saisies, contrary to what is stated in the description: “Park in the car park …, on the Col des Saisies”. :. Please read the practical information at the bottom of the description carefully: “To reach the starting point, coming from the centre of Les Saisies, drive through the centre and turn right 500 metres further on towards the road signposted ‘Bisanne’. Continue along this road for about 2 km and turn right, following the signs for Bisanne again; the car park is about 500 metres further on.” We may not have found the ‘right’ car park. We didn’t see a water tower or a colony of marmots. But we still had a lovely walk, with some lovely views. And we’ve learnt that you really do need to read the reviews!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful landscapes, half in shade, half in sunlight

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

In summer, access to the car park at the start of the route is closed, so you’ll have to make do with a car park further down the hill. Personally, I managed to park at the side of the road just past point 1, so I started the route from there. From ‘Les Plans’, a short but steep climb (100 D+) takes you to ‘Les Pachons’.

Lovely views over the Doron Valley, the Beaufortain and the Aravis. A 360° panorama at Bisane.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In point 2, the Le Planay route description states to follow the Bois de Molliassieres (which heads off to the left, following the signposts). However, the Inous route takes you to the right onto the forest track (a ski run in winter), which is rather dull.
In my view, it makes more sense to head towards the Bois de Molliassieres, which further on will take you through the woods towards the Croix de Coste, rather than going up the uninteresting forest road or ski run.
Otherwise, the rest of the walk offers a lovely panoramic view of the Doron Valley and the Isère Valley, and, on the return leg, of the Aravis range as a whole.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A variety of landscapes, ranging from woodland to wider paths. The elevation gain makes it a bit of a challenge, which means you can appreciate the lovely views even more.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk with the first snowfall.
Stunning views: thank you.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

At Planay, when you leave the woods, do not take the road that goes uphill, but rather follow the sign that says "take the forest road in summer and a ski trail in winter with snow cannons on the left-hand side."
There's nothing else to say.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Done on 26 August 2024.
Please note that the road leading to the starting point is not always open, even in summer. This was the case today. You will therefore need to stop beforehand at point 1723, where there is a small car park and a picnic area.
At point 1, depending on your arrival time, there is a small alpine restaurant with a view of the valley. It is best to call ahead to make a reservation.
After point 3, "turn right onto a small, fairly steep forest path. You will then reach the Croix de Coste." There's no need to measure the 200 metres as the path is marked by a pretty sign saying "Sous la croix de Coste 1751 m."
On the day of our hike, Mt Bisanne was shrouded in clouds, so we went around it to the north to return to the starting point. The path is well marked with a sign indicating "Bucheret" at the start
Then, as we had time, we descended towards the Chalets de Bisanne, then "La Palette" and returned to the Col des Saisies.
To get back to the start, the free shuttle dropped us off where we had left our vehicle (before the start indicated on this hike).
This detour adds about an hour, but is easy as it is almost flat.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Due to the recent installation of barriers, it is impossible to drive to the top of Bisanne, so the parking symbol on the map is no longer useful.
To avoid the steep climb in direct sunlight at a place called Les Plachons, we did the tour in the opposite direction.
The elevation gain is around 450 metres

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that the description at the start is incorrect, as is the elevation gain.
From the car park where there is a barrier, head towards the summit of Bisanne, then after about 700 metres
towards the arrival point of the Manant chairlift, turn left towards Les Pachons. Do not descend along the Bisanne road to Les Pachons, as you will then have to climb a steep slope in direct sunlight!
The total elevation gain is around 500 m because the path is not optimised and goes up and down instead of following a horizontal route. It is advisable to check with a GPS device that records the route.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On this day, the gate is open and you can access the starting point directly. It is a beautiful hike, starting with a long rocky descent, then climbing between two chalets at Les Pachons. At the Coste cross, turn
turn three-quarters of the way around the antenna and avoid a first small path on the left to continue on a wider path, keeping straight ahead and leaving another path on the right 50 m further on, overlooking a small dried-up pond. Beautiful views of Mont Bisanne and a giant hammock and wooden terrace for photos and memories.
Long descent to the right of the Bisanne ski lift, with panoramic views of Les Saisies and the car park.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Taken in winter on 31 March with snow. Exceptional landscapes

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy and pleasant hike

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that during the summer school holidays, access to the car park mentioned above is closed, so you will need to leave your car in the car park below, which adds a short climb to the route!
The hike is very pleasant, partly shaded and partly sunny, with some climbs, a few flat sections and descents, and above all magnificent views of the Aravis, part of the Bauges massif, Mont Blanc and even the Vanoise massif from the orientation table at Mont Bisanne.
Suitable for children or people who are not very experienced hikers :-)

Machine-translated