Walking Route Samples

Our walks are graded to allow you to pick one suitable for your level of hiking. The walks are described as follows:

Discovery - scenic walks on a fairly low level, normally 1- 2 hours in duration. Taking in village life and the local scenery - perfect for an evening stroll or a relaxing afternoon.

Explorer - more challenging walks over mixed terrain with some short but steep climbs giving rewarding panoramas over the surrounding mountains and villages. Normally 4-5 hours in duration.

Adventurer - advanced full day, high mountain walks, including narrow rocky tracks, scrambles and steep long ascents. You will experience a full range of amazing scenery from lower pastures to high ridges with some stunning views.

St Jean de Sixt to La Clusaz

1.5hrs-2hrs return - Discovery

Leaving from the lodge, drop down into the gorge and climb a short steep hill through the forest. Come out past some interesting chalets, following a path back into the woods. Beware of some steep drops along here down to a racing river on the valley floor. Fun to go on Mondays - La Clusaz's market day.

Pointe de Beauregard to St Jean de Sixt

3-4 hours - Explorer

Leaving from La Clusaz take the Gondola up to the summit of Beauregard. Open clearings greet you with stunning views of the Aravis mountain chain and over to the snowcapped Mont Blanc on a fine day. Lots of descents, some fairly steep and stony, through the forest as you drop back to La Clusaz. Mainly fairly easy walking split evenly between meadows and forest tracks. Finish back at the Lodge. Several nice restaurants on the plateau for coffee whilst taking in the views.

Lac du Lessy to Chinaillon

5-6 hours - Explorer

A beautiful high mountain walk taking in meadows, forests, hamlets and ridgelines with stunning views of Geneva and Mont Blanc. There is quite a lot of climbing which is fairly steep at times. Drop down to the hidden village of Lac du Lessy where you can eat your picnic by the lake, and maybe even have a paddle on a hot day. The paths are well marked so navigation is easy. Finish in the old village of Chinaillon where we'll come and collect you.

The Belier Walk - La Clusaz to St Jean de Sixt via various hamlets

8 hours - Adventurer

Best known in the region for the annual Belier run, this is also a beautiful walking route. Lots of steep climbing (1000 metres of climbs over the 27km distance) with some sharp drops off the side of the paths - best for the surefooted. An equal mix of forest, clearings and meadows with several streams for a paddle if need be. Good chance of seeing deer and other wildlife. Cafes and restaurants accessible with a short detour plus the opportunity to visit a working farm for cheese tasting/purchase and refreshments. Finish back at the Lodge.

Balcon des Aravis: Col des Annes - Lac de Confins

6-7 hours - Adventurer

We will drop you at Col des Annes from where you will traverse the foot of the Aravis Mountains. Steep ridgeline tracks will reward you with stunning views of the Aravis mountain as well as down over the Alps and towards Annecy. Remote trails, rocky slabs and some easy scree scrambling will take you to the Refuge de Gramusset for lunch. There is the opportunity to pre-book a guide to climb Point Percee from here on a good day. Pointe Percee is the highest peak of the Aravis range at 2750 metres and will take an additional 3 hours to climb. Moderate descent through meadows past farms where you can buy cheese. Nearing the bottom there are buvettes for refreshments. End at Lac des Confins, a lovely farming village on a plateau with views over to La Clusaz and Beauregard. We'll collect you here.

When you have had enough walking there are plenty of other things to do in the surrounding areas - ranging from adrenaline fueled paragliding to gentle relaxing massages. See our Other Activities page for ideas.