Languages spoken
- French
Opening
From 01/05 to 31/10 daily.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
See the photos
sentier pédestre : l'arête des Saix
départ : parking de Burzier
route de Doran
74700 Sallanches
France
45.957608, 6.609945
An iconic Sallanches loop in the heart of the Aravis, linking the Mayères and Doran mountain pastures with Mont Blanc as a backdrop. Two mountain pastures, three mountain refuges and an airy section equipped with cables along the Arête des Saix: a great mountain adventure!
From Burzier, this beautiful loop links two iconic mountain pastures in the Sallanches valley: Mayères and Doran. The climb to Mayères follows a track used by 4x4 vehicles, offering beautiful views of Mont Blanc and the Fiz mountains. In hot weather, a more shaded forest trail also provides an alternative route to the mountain pasture.
After the Tornieux mountain refuge and then the Mayères refuge, the route takes on a whole new character. The trail follows the mountainside towards the Arête des Saix. Some sections are slightly airy and equipped with cables. Once you reach the ridge, wide-open views stretch across the Sallanches valley, the Fiz mountains and Mont Blanc, while on the other side, the Doran valley and Pointe Percée come into view. At 2,750 m, Pointe Percée is the highest peak in the Aravis, our “little Matterhorn”! The surrounding cliffs are also a great place to spot ibex and, with a little luck, bearded vultures.
The descent then leads to the Doran mountain pasture, nestled in a magnificent green haven at the foot of Pointe Percée. From June to September, the mountain farm bears witness to a thriving pastoral and cheese-making tradition. You can buy cheeses produced on site and discover the small shepherds’ chapel, built by Scouts in the 1950s. The Doran mountain refuge and restaurant, staffed in summer, is also a great place to enjoy a meal or extend your adventure with an overnight stay.
Doran is also closely linked to the history of the bearded vulture: in 1999, the site hosted a reintroduction programme for this emblematic Alpine species. A remarkable story that continues today in the mountains around Sallanches.
The return to Burzier follows the Doran track used by 4x4 vehicles, completing the loop and offering two very different mountain experiences.
After the Tornieux mountain refuge and then the Mayères refuge, the route takes on a whole new character. The trail follows the mountainside towards the Arête des Saix. Some sections are slightly airy and equipped with cables. Once you reach the ridge, wide-open views stretch across the Sallanches valley, the Fiz mountains and Mont Blanc, while on the other side, the Doran valley and Pointe Percée come into view. At 2,750 m, Pointe Percée is the highest peak in the Aravis, our “little Matterhorn”! The surrounding cliffs are also a great place to spot ibex and, with a little luck, bearded vultures.
The descent then leads to the Doran mountain pasture, nestled in a magnificent green haven at the foot of Pointe Percée. From June to September, the mountain farm bears witness to a thriving pastoral and cheese-making tradition. You can buy cheeses produced on site and discover the small shepherds’ chapel, built by Scouts in the 1950s. The Doran mountain refuge and restaurant, staffed in summer, is also a great place to enjoy a meal or extend your adventure with an overnight stay.
Doran is also closely linked to the history of the bearded vulture: in 1999, the site hosted a reintroduction programme for this emblematic Alpine species. A remarkable story that continues today in the mountains around Sallanches.
The return to Burzier follows the Doran track used by 4x4 vehicles, completing the loop and offering two very different mountain experiences.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Start: Burzier car park
The route starts on a track used by 4x4 vehicles, partly shaded and more open as you approach the mountain pasture. Accessible to 4x4 vehicles every day, it offers beautiful views of Mont Blanc and the Fiz mountains. In hot weather, you can also take the more shaded forest trail.
1. From the entrance to the car park, start the route on the track used by 4x4 vehicles. More exposed to the sun than the forest trail, it nevertheless offers more open views of Mont Blanc and the Fiz mountains.
2. The slope is fairly steep at the start, but only for around 500 m (15 min).
3. You then reach the locality known as “Les Planes”, where two directions are indicated: Doran straight ahead and Mayères to your left. Turn left towards Mayères, continuing along the track used by 4x4 vehicles.
4. The track is partly shaded and opens out in places, offering glimpses of beautiful views of Mont Blanc.
5. After approximately 1 hr 30 to 2 hrs of walking, you reach the first mountain refuge and restaurant: Tornieux.
6. Continue for another ten minutes to reach the Mayères mountain refuge and restaurant, with its famous airstrip, the last one in Haute-Savoie.
7. To the right of the refuge, take the trail along the mountainside towards the Arête des Saix.
8. Well signposted, the trail becomes slightly airy in places. Some sections are equipped with cables: take particular care here.
9. Once you reach the top of the Arête des Saix, enjoy the magnificent panorama. On one side, the Sallanches valley, the Fiz mountains and Mont Blanc; on the other, the Doran valley and Pointe Percée. With a little luck, you may also spot ibex and perhaps bearded vultures on the Aravis cliffs behind the refuge.
10. The descent towards Doran follows a small trail winding between meadows and rocks.
11. You then reach the Doran mountain pasture, nestled in the heart of a magnificent valley dominated by Pointe Percée. Take the time to discover the mountain farm, the shepherds’ chapel built by Scouts in the 1950s, and the Doran mountain refuge and restaurant, where you can enjoy a well-deserved break.
The mountain farmer sells cheese produced on site. You can also ask for the chapel key to visit it.
12. For the return journey, follow the Doran track used by 4x4 vehicles, which leads back down to Burzier car park, the starting point of the hike.
Useful information
Equipments and Services
Equipments
- Picnic area
- Car park
- Orientation board
- Coach parking
- Free car park
Comforts & services
- Pets welcome
- Coach access
- Accommodation
- Restaurant
Prices and payment
Free access.
