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In the heart of the Montagnes du Giffre, discover the most beautiful routes on foot or mountain bike starting from Samoëns thanks to the many itineraries accessible to all.
Choose your activity (hiking, mountain biking, trail or motorbike) and distance by clicking on “Filter”.
Download a GPX track and print a PDF of your route by accessing the route description.
For even more hiking itineraries, click here. For VTTAE routes in the Montagnes du Giffre, click here.
NEW: a selection of 14 “turnkey” hikes to complement the summer shuttle service. An original way of combining the shuttle service with walking – or the other way round – to create some lovely loops in the valley! Discover the “Rando’ Bus” guide and the shuttle timetable.
On the Grand Massif side, discover the downhill mountain bike trails by clicking here.
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Lac des Chambres is a very surprising lake. Rarely completely filled with water, it more often than not evokes a polar landscape, composed, depending on the season, of blocks of ice floating or washed up on the shore.
Lac des Chambres is a very surprising lake. Rarely completely filled with water, it more often than not evokes a polar landscape, made up, depending on the season, of floating blocks of ice or ice stranded on the shore.
Itinerary for guidance only.
Discover the Vallon du Grand Crêt.
From Samoëns, cross the hamlet of Vercland and reach the Grand Crêt. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley, opposite the Criou.
Nearby: Restaurant le Grand Crêt.
Through the Allamands forest, join the 4x4 track that leads to the Bostan valley and its refuge.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Giffre Valley and the Teeth of Oddaz.
This hike takes you through mountain pastures to the Bostan hut.
Starting altitude: 1,096 m
Finishing altitude: 1,769 m
Particular difficulties: none
Itinerary for guidance only.
The Golèse refuge is located on the Col de la Golèse in the heart of the alpine pastures, offering exceptional panoramic views over the Giffre (Samoëns) and Manche (Morzine) valleys.
Itinerary for guidance only.
Wide open and easy to access, the Col de la Golèse path has been used for a very long time. In fact, this route is the gateway to neighboring Switzerland via the Col de Coux.
Itinerary for guidance only.
Following the Clévieux stream for part of the way, you'll reach the Golèse hut, at the pass of the same name, to enjoy views over the Giffre (Samoens) and Manche (Morzine) valleys. @Patrice Gain
Itinerary under the emblematic Samoëns mountain, overlooking the village.
To discover: Chalet du Trot
This hike is on the famous "Grande Traversée des Alpes". It permises to discover different landscapes, enjoy breathtaking views.
On the GR®5 route, 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.
This magnificent village used to be lived in all year round. It had its own primary school downhill from the chapel.
(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.
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.
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.
Start: Place du Gros Tilleul, Samoëns
Map reference: topo-guide Vallée du Haute Giffre
From the Place du Gros Tilleul (planted in 1438), pass between the church and the Mairie (town hall), turn right behind the Ecuries du Chateau, then left. Continue along the path that once led to the Château de la Tornalta (destroyed by the Valaisans in 1476, the ruins can still be seen at the top of the Jardin Botanique de la Jaÿsinia), which runs along the wall of the Jardin Botanique, then past the imposing Simon farmhouse (towards Chantemerle).
After crossing the road, take the magnificent shady path, lined with low drystone walls, which leads above the hamlet of La Grangiat to the village of Les Combes (at the village exit, note the oratory built in 1754).
Continue along the wide gravel path that was once the access road to Chantemerle.
Cross the village and follow the signs for La Rosière.
A path, then a narrow road, leads to the hamlet of Les Chosalets. Shortly before this, turn right in the direction of "Samoëns par la Forêt des Suets" and follow the path up through the meadows.
At the edge of the forest, turn right onto a logging road that climbs to the ruins of a chalet.
The path descends fairly quickly towards the village of Chantemerle and crosses a path at "La pierre du dînna" (dinner stone). Follow this path to the left through the beautiful, game-filled forest of Les Suets.
The path enters a reforested area and offers splendid views over the Vallon plain, the Pointe de Sales and the Mont Blanc chain. It then takes you back to the hamlet of La Grangiat.
At the Pleignes cross, you can return to Samoëns via Levy (straight ahead) or via the path taken on the outward journey (turn left).
Itinerary for information only.
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.