An energetic hike to help you unwind in the mountains overlooking Mont-Blanc.
Sallanches Tourisme proposes a hiking circuit in 4 exceptional stages: 4 days/3 nights in the Aravis mountain range.
DAY 1: Sallanches center ville (550 m) - Burzier (970 m) - Refuge de Doran (1495 m)
Meet in Sallanches, at the SNCF station if you're arriving by train, or in the Rosay parking lot if you're leaving your car. The route starts in front of the Sallanches train station. Climb up to Burzier, then to the Doran mountain pasture, where you'll find its chapel, its alpagistes and its refuge.
DAY 2: Alpage de Doran (1495 m) - Les Quatre-Têtes (2364 m) - Alpage de Mayères (1563 m)
Head up the Doran valley, at the foot of Pointe Percée, the highest point in the Aravis massif. At the Col de Doran, make the round trip to the Quatre-Têtes summit, then descend via Lanchéron towards the Mayères mountain pasture and its altisurface. Overnight at the Tornieux refuge.
To do less! Reach Mayères via the Arête des Saix (1851 m)
without passing through Quatre-Têtes.
DAY 3: Alpage de Mayères (1563 m) - Col de Niard (1801 m) - Plateau des Bénés (1723 m) - Tête Noire (1691 m) - Village de Cordon (870 m)
Balcony trail, at the foot of the Cascade des Fours, up the Vallée de Coeur. Meet the mountain farmers before reaching the Col de Niard and the Cabane du Petit Pâtre. Cross the Bénés plateau, then descend to the village of Cordon. Pass through Abérieux to visit the farm and watch milking (not before 5.30pm). Your choice of accommodation in one of the village's B&Bs or hotels, or in the hills above.
To do more! Go up the Vallée des Fours instead of the Vallée de Coeur, and join the Gouille des Fours itinerary down the Col de Portette.
DAY 4: Village de Cordon (870 m) - Petit Croisse-Baulet via Bornes Romaines (2009 m) Sallanches Centre ville (550 m)
Climb to Col de l'Avenaz, then take the Roman milestones path to Petit Croisse Baulet and Col de Jaillet, which links the Communes of Cordon, Sallanches, Combloux and La Giettaz. Descend along the Sentier Découverte de la Forêt to Lezaive, where you pass along the right bank of the stream to Nant Cruy. Reach Sallanches town center
by the Bois de Fessy path.
To do more! From the Col de l'Avenaz, return to the "Grand" Croisse-Baulet (2236 m).
To do less! Complete the entire loop of the Sentier de Découverte de la Forêt (1400 m) and then take the downhill route.
Useful information
Languages spoken
Opening
From 15/05 to 15/10 daily.
Subject to refuges being open.