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Grande Sassière Nature Reserve and Lake
IGN cards
Description
Can you hear that high-pitched, shrill whistle? It's that of the marmots, true guardians at the entrance to the Nature Reserve, as you enter a site remarkable for its flora and fauna. And what about the turquoise-blue lakes!
The Grande Sassière Nature Reserve is ideal for discovering the high mountains with the whole family, as the paths are so wide and easy to access.
But don't forget your hat and sun cream, as there are few shady spots and the sun can be prickly!
That's why marmots and ibex love to bask in the sunshine on the rocky slopes, which also abound in waterholes.
And keep an eye out for no fewer than thirty-two species of protected flowers, which grace the valley with a thousand colors contrasting with the grey of the cliffs and the white of the glaciers.
And you'll discover many different facets of Savoyard heritage as you pass through the ruins of the hamlet of Le Saut, and turn around to see the distinctive buildings of the resort of Tignes in the distance.
And the most courageous can climb up to the Col de Rhêmes-Golette, a remarkable viewpoint over the Italian Alps, or the Col de la Bailleta,
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Date and time
- From 01/06/2026 to 31/10/2026
Additional information
Open period
From 01/06 to 31/10.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Updated by
Agence alpine des territoires - 17/09/2025
www.agate-territoires.fr
Report a problem
Contact
Phone : 04 79 40 04 40
Email : information@tignes.net
Website : https://www.tignes.net
Location complements
Road access: from the D902, after the Tignes dam, turn left after the second tunnel, towards Villaret du Nial, then Franchet. The road climbs for a few kilometers to the Saut parking lot (start of the hike).
Topo guides and map references
Map references :
TOP 25 IGN - 3532 ET - Les Arcs - La Plagne
Type of land
Not suitable for strollers
Environments
Lakeside or by stretch of water
Mountain view
Waterside
Lake view
Mountain location
In a nature reserve
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Departure point: from the Parking du Saut, follow the farm track, which is closed to all non-proprietor traffic. This wide track meanders through the mountain pastures and leads to the Sassière dam and lake.
1/ At Lac de la Sassière, cross the dam, then cross the weir and continue along the path for 250m.
2/ To return to the Saut parking lot, turn right to take the path on the left bank of the torrent.
3/ Possible extension to the foot of the Rhêmes-Golette glacier.
- Duration +:1h30
- Ascent +: 300/400 m
4/ Possible extension to Col de la Bailleta
- Time +: 1h30
- Ascent +: 400 m
Animals
Yes. Dogs on a leash are allowed in the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve
Data author
