A family itinerary to discover the beautiful Giffre valley. From our charming village of Samoëns, set off to discover the Giffre valley and its villages by following the river.

Departure : Samoëns Tourist Office D 907 from Taninges - D902 Rivière Enverse - D4 Morillon

To discover :

Leisure centre of the Lac aux Dames in Samoens

Blue Lake in Morillon

Chartreuse de Mélan and its park of contemporary works

@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

On the way up, you will find 4x4 trails, which will allow you to access the Bostan refuge and its panorama, and it is on the way down that you will have a lot of fun.

Departure : Parking Le Plan aux Arches. From Samoëns, go to the place called "Les Moulins", then take the road on the right towards "Les Allamands". The car park is 800m after this village.

@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

The village of Vallon, splendid and particularly well maintained by its inhabitants, the Cavoêrus, is divided into two parts, Vallon d'en Bas and Vallon d'en Haut. The village became a civil parish in 1730.

Departure : Samoëns Tourist Office

To discover : The Samoëns fruit factory

Departure from Le Criou

Chapelle des Vallons

@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

This village was once inhabited all year round. We can find on many farms stone lintels, testimonies of the presence of "Kegnes and Frahans" (masons and stonemasons).

Its chapel (1684) is dedicated to Saint François de Sales.
Difficulty: fairly easy

Start: Place du Gros Tilleul in Samoëns



From the Place du Gros Tilleul (planted in 1438) pass between the church and the Town Hall, turn right behind the Ecuries du Chateau, then left. Continue along the path that once led to the Tornalta Castle (destroyed by the Valaisans in 1476, the ruins can still be seen at the top of the Jaÿsinia Botanical Garden) which runs along the outer wall of the Botanical Garden, then passes in front of the imposing Simon farm. (direction Chantemerle).

After crossing the road, take the magnificent shaded path, bordered by dry stone walls, which leads, passing above the hamlet of La Grangiat, to the village of Combes. (On leaving the village notice the oratory erected in 1754).

Continue along the wide stony path which is the old access road to Chantemerle.

Cross the village and follow the direction of La Rosière.

A path, then a narrow road lead to the hamlet of Chosalets. Shortly before it, turn right in the direction of “Samoëns via the Forêt des Suets” and follow the path which rises through the meadows.

At the edge of the forest, take a skidding path to the right which climbs up to the ruins of a chalet.

The path descends fairly quickly to the village of Chantemerle and crosses a path at a place called "La pierre du dînna" (in other words the stone of dinner). Follow this path to the left which runs through the very beautiful and game-rich forest of the Suets.

The path enters a reforestation area and offers splendid views of the Vallon plain, the Pointe de Sales and the Mont Blanc range. He will take you back to the hamlet of La Grangiat.

At the Croix des Pleignes, you can return to Samoëns via Levy (straight ahead) or else by the path taken on the outward journey (oblique to the left).

Itinerary for guidance only.

Thanks to the opening of skilifts this summer, you can go walking with your family and discover some different, breathtaking panoramic views with any strenuous effort beforehand.
When you want a chance to relax and get close to nature, take advantage of the skilifts and enjoy some easy walking in stunning scenery. Regain your sense of well-being in the serenity and peace of higher altitudes as you walk through alpine pastures and along the shores of lakes. In fact, why not do a spot of fishing while you're there?

Looking for ideas for easy walks in constantly-changing scenery? Leaving Samoëns behind, you can get a wonderful view of Mont-Blanc from the Tête des Saix. From there, head for La Combe de Gers with its lake and gîte-cum-restaurant, then return to Samoëns or Sixt Fer-à-Cheval.

Need to cool off and go for a walk? Head for the Gorges des Tines!

Use the destination's mobility network to hike for longer, without having to make the round trip.

This itinerary can be broken down into two others, the 1st: from Samoëns to Secouën (1h30)

the 2nd: from Secouën to Verchaix (1h30).



START : Place du Bérouze - Samoëns.



@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

This walk along quiet roads and footpaths provides a glimpse of life in the valley and some of its traditions, through its chapels, shrines, old chalets and Clos Parchet folk museum.
Altitude at start: 700 metres

Maximum altitude: 1,000 metres

Difficulty: none

Type of terrain: footpaths and quiet roads

Itinerary for guidance only.

Shady ascent to the Refuge du Lac de Gers!

Use the destination's mobility network to hike longer, without having to make the round trip.

Need to cool off and go for a walk? Head for the Gorges des Tines!

Use the destination's mobility network to hike for longer, without having to make the round trip.

This is a typical family walk, along the banks of the River Giffre between Samoëns and Morillon in a wide forest road
The Samoëns leisure centre is organised around two lakes linked by a small waterfall. The tour of these lakes is in itself a short but very pleasant walk, with the Haut Giffre mountains in the background and more particularly the Criou.



The route to the Lac Bleu de Morillon takes the wooden bridge, located near the refreshment bar, between the two lakes. Shortly after the bridge turn right, then left, to enter a mixed forest: spruce and beech.

A wide path leads you to the R'Biolle footbridge which, with a single span of 17 metres, spans the Giffre.

At the end of the footbridge the path turns right and takes you through the woods of L'Etelley and then along the Giffre to the Lac Bleu de Morillon.



In July and August, the beach of the lake welcomes bathers (supervised swimming) and pleasant lawns invite you to relax.



Allow 1 1/2 hours for the return walk.

Flat ground.

Type of terrain: wide forest track.

Recommendation: no dogs allowed in the leisure complexes in Samoëns and Morillon.

Departure from the Lac aux Dames in Samoëns.

Difficulties: none

Map reference: Route 3 in the Vallée du Haut Giffre ramblers' guide ("topoguide").

Itinerary for guidance only.

This is a very easy walk with no hills, ideal for family walks with children from the age of 4 or 5 years.
You can not fail to come across some squirrels in search of food caches made in the fall, but become untraceable under the snow ...



Departure altitude: 689m

Maximum altitude: 689m

Elevation: flat terrain

Difficulty: very easy

Fancy a trip down the south-facing slope after your visit to the Clos Parchet Ecomuseum farm?

Use the destination's mobility network to hike for longer, without having to make the round trip.

Within the cirque, walk along the small paths that will take you to the beautiful village of Frenalay.



Departure: Car park of the Fer à Cheval circus



To discover: The waterfalls of the Cirque du Fer à Cheval



@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

This hike is on the mythical hike "Grande Traversée des Alpes".
On the route of the GR®5, the mythical "Grande Traversée des Alpes" invites you to hike on the alpine part of one of the most fabulous hiking trails in the world!



Start walking on the shores of Lake Leman and finish 620 km further (3 to 4 weeks walk) on the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea ... There is no doubt that the Grande Traversée des Alpes is An unforgettable hike !

Itinerary for guidance only.

Short hike accessible to all, joining the Bourgeoise from the Col de Joux Plane. This summit, located at 1770 meters of altitude, constitutes a superb viewpoint on the Mont Blanc and the summit of the Giffre massif surrounding.
Starting from the Col de Joux Plane and its lake, overlooking Samoëns to the south and Morzine to the north, this walk without difficulty starts in beautiful alpine landscapes until the Chalets of Mapellet.



Passing under the Pointe de Chamossière, the route offers many panoramas on the Giffre massif: The North Face of the Criou, the Pointe Rousse or the Tête de Bostant. The Mapellet Cross marks your arrival at the top, you will then be gratified from a breathtaking 360° perspective.



The view of the Mont Blanc from the Bourgeois is breathtaking. Also discover the surrounding peaks thanks to the orientation table on site.

This superb tour combines several hikes set out in the guide published by the Upper Giffre association.
It enables you to explore all the facets of the Upper Giffre: the valley, its history and its population, the forests, the mountain pastures, and the mountain trails that provide some splendid panoramic views. The tour takes 6 or 11 days to complete and is intended for experienced hikders.



Starting altitude: 1,691m

Finishing altitude: 1,770 m

Particular difficulties: none

Recommended period June to the first snowfalls.

Itinerary for guidance only.