This hike takes you to the summit of the Criou, the symbolic mountain towering over the town of Samoëns. There is a breathtaking panoramic view from the summit over the Giffre Valley, Mont Buet, Rousse des Chambres and Les Dents Blanches.
Time taken: 5 hours

Starting altitude: 717 m

Finishing altitude: 2,207 m

Particular difficulties: none up to the chalets at Le Criou. The ridge at the top of Aouille du Criou overlooks the very sharp drop of the north face of the Criou.

Itinerary for guidance only.

Mountain symbol overlooking the village of Samoëns.


Departure: Vallon d'en haut

To discover: the alpine chalets of Pertuet, Trot (refreshment room), Criou and Feux.


@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

Although located in the heart of the ski lifts, this short walk from the resort of Samoëns 1600 is very pleasant. Departure point: Plateau des Saix car park (Samoëns 1600). To discover : The Saix head (2100m)

@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

The path overhangs the gorges until the bridge, crossing the Giffre des Fonts, which gives access to the refuge and the mountain pasture.


Departure point : Samoëns Tourist Office

Tip: You can park your car at Salvagny


@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

Enjoy a safe family outing.

@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

The village of Vallon is split into two parts: Vallon d’en Bas and Vallon d’en Haut. Its inhabitants are called the Cavoêrus. This village constituted a civil parish from 1730. On June 22, 1811, it was attached to Samoëns by an imperial decree.
Duration: 1h30

Elevation: 17 meters

Type of terrain: Roads and trails

Special recommendation: none

Starting point: The Grand Massif Express (GME) cable car park

Special difficulty: none

Map reference: itinerary n ° 4 topoguide Haut Giffre Valley.


Go along the Giffre to a footbridge spanning the Clévieu. Cross then take the path on the left, which takes you on the old dykes of Giffre. The path, in the undergrowth, soon joins the Giffre which we follow to the Revé bridge.

Leave the bridge on your right and take, a few meters further, the path which leaves on the left and crosses the plain of Vallon. Facing you overlooks the Criou mountain and to the right, at the bottom of the valley, the Commune mountain.

Cross the road and continue with the one just opposite which leads to Vallon d'en Haut.

In the village turn left. Observe the fountain, dated 1873 and carved from a single block of stone. Continue to Vallon d'en Bas. The chapel founded in 1636 is placed under the name of the Saints: Jacques, Philippe and Joseph, in thanks for their protection during the plague epidemic which raged in 1630.

Shortly after the chapel, turn right in front of a large pool. The road leads to a crossroads. Turn left, follow the Clévieu stream then cross the departmental road.

At the second bridge, change banks and continue along the Clévieu to find the footbridge taken on the outward journey. Continue on the path and return to the gondola parking lot.


Itinerary for guidance only.

The Cascade du Rouget, nicknamed the "Queen of the Alps", offers visitors a contemplative and refreshing break. Departure point: Free car park at Nant Sec in Salvagny. TO DISCOVER The Cascade du Rouget, also known as the "Queen of the Alps".

Departure : Samoëns Tourist Office

Tip: You can park your car at the Parking du Nant Sec in Salvagny.


@Patrice Gain


Itinerary for guidance only.

Discover the chapels of Samoëns. The bulbous bell towers, of baroque influence, appear at the bend in the road and remind today's walkers of the patient work of the craftsmen of yesteryear.
@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

(Re)experience the UTHG race at your own pace with the Tour du Giffre course!

Start with a 3km climb which offers a breathtaking view of the whole Haut Giffre valley, then cross the mountain to the Chalets du Trot.


On your descent, discover the hamlet of Le Mont and then head for the Tines gorges.


A new slope leads to the majestic Lac de Gers and its combe.


The last few kilometres will take you to the Lac aux Dames where you can take advantage of the leisure centre to stretch your legs.


Itineraries are indicative.

(Re)experience the UTHG race at your own pace with the Fireflies Tour course !

Start with a 3km climb which offers a breathtaking view of the whole Haut Giffre valley, then cross the mountain to the Chalets du Trot.


On your descent, discover the hamlet of Le Mont and then head for the Tines gorges.


The last few kilometres will take you to the Lac aux Dames where you can take advantage of the leisure centre to stretch your legs.


Itineraries are indicative.

The shortest and steepest in the world!

From the village or from Vallon d'en Bas.


Itineraries are indicative.

Discover the Folly refuge on the 16km trail.

Itineraries are indicative.

This magnificent village used to be lived in all year round. It had its own primary school downhill from the chapel.

Departure altitude: 702m

Maximum altitude: 1100m

Difficulty: quite difficult

Managed by the International Association for Tour of the Dents Blanches (AITDB), this Franco-Swiss tour takes you on a route that is hospitable at times, e.g. on the way through the pastures in Barme (Switzerland), or wild as it is in the Ottants pass.

For information, see the Tour and Massif des Dents Blanches ramblers' guide book.

A little away from the classic hiking trails, this itinerary offers all that the imagination attributes to our mountain countries: the cows, the meadows mowed of the rosière opening on the Mont Blanc chain standing in the middle of the eponymous pastures.
Departure altitude : 1168 meters

Maximum altitude : 1374 meters

Tyoe of terrain : path and small roads

Dogs are forbidden on the leisure bases of Samoëns and Morillon.

Starting point : La Rosière

Itinerary for guidance only.

Following the Clévieux river for part of the route, you will reach the Golèse refuge, at the pass of the same name, to enjoy the view of the Giffre valley (Samoens) and the manche (Morzine).

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

@Patrice Gain

Itinerary for guidance only.

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.