A lovely walk that takes the whole family up to the Vallée des Bauches. This suspended valley offers superb panoramic views of Mont Blanc, between larch trees and mountain chalets.
Take the Montchavin chairlift to Le Sauget. From here, after a short climb behind Chez Pat du Sauget, turn left to follow a forest road down to a place called "La Fontaine Froide".
Take the right-hand track (uphill) through the spruce forest to reach the Chalets des Bauches, which marks the start of the valley.
Be careful on this route: it crosses the Pelées and Esselet trails.
Caution "Fontaine froide": take the first path on your right, 50m before the safety nets, as the piste below is a skier's return from Les Bauches.
This route is groomed from the start up to Fontaine Froide and then un-groomed as soon as you take the ascent from Fontaine Froide towards Les Bauches.
The return is via the same itinerary to take the chairlift back down (check times according to the season).
Take the right-hand track (uphill) through the spruce forest to reach the Chalets des Bauches, which marks the start of the valley.
Be careful on this route: it crosses the Pelées and Esselet trails.
Caution "Fontaine froide": take the first path on your right, 50m before the safety nets, as the piste below is a skier's return from Les Bauches.
This route is groomed from the start up to Fontaine Froide and then un-groomed as soon as you take the ascent from Fontaine Froide towards Les Bauches.
The return is via the same itinerary to take the chairlift back down (check times according to the season).
Niveau difficulté
Level bue - Medium
Prices
Free access. Buy a single Montchavin chairlift ticket for 8€ or a weekly pedestrian pass for 62€ (free for children under 5) at the lift ticket office.
Opening
From 16/12 to 21/04.
Subject to snow conditions.
Subject to snow conditions.
Downloadable files
Characteristic
Minimum age
7 yrs
OK for families with children
yes
Elevation gain
520 m
Descent
520 m
Distance
4km
Type of itinerary
Return
Snowshoe Hike – Les Chalets des Bauches
Arrivée télésiège de Montchavin Montchavin
73210 Montchavin-les-Coches
73210 Montchavin-les-Coches
Altitude
1250m
Montchavin- Les Coches