Hiking Trail: L'Arête des Saix (Saix Ridge)
Description
A classic circuit near Sallanche to explore two mountain pastures and three refuges. In the heart of the Aravis mountains, overlooking Mont Blanc this beautiful trail links the Mayères pasture and refuge with that of Doran. Some elevated parts, but with cables installed.
Departure: Burzier car park
This 4x4 path is semi-shaded at the start, then more open towards the top of the mountain pasture. Accessible to 4x4s every day without restrictions.
1. start this route by the motorable road at the entrance to the car park.
2. the slope is a little steep at the start, but for only about 500 m (15 min)
2. you then come to a crossroads with Doran in front of you and Mayères on the left
3. take the left direction, direction Mayères, always by the jeepable path
4. the path is semi-shaded and emerges at times to give you a glimpse of the Mont-Blanc massif
5. After 1h30 to 2h of walking you will arrive at the 1st altitude refuge and restaurant, Le Tornieux
6. then 10 min above, you will find the altitude refuge and restaurant of Mayères with its famous altisurface: the last in Haute-Savoie
7. To the right of the refuge, a mountainside path climbs towards the Saix ridge
8. the trail is well marked and a little aerial, but it has cables in some places
9. arrived at the top of the ridge, observe the magnificent panorama that you have on the valley of Sallanches with the massifs of Fiz and Mont-Blanc and on the other side with the valley of Doran and the Pointe Percée.
You can observe ibexes and perhaps bearded vultures on the Aravis cliffs, behind the refuge
10. the descent is done on the Doran side by a small path between meadows and rocks
11. Nestled in the heart of a grandiose mountain cirque dominated by Pointe Percée, the highest point of the Aravis, the Doran mountain pasture invites you to discover - from June to September - its agro-pastoral and ancestral cheese-making activity where you can buy fresh cheese, the astonishing story of a chapel built by the scouts, the fauna and flora of the Alps and in particular the astonishing Bearded Vulture, reintroduced here a few years ago. And of course the charming refuge of Doran who will welcome you on site for a drink, enjoy a blueberry pie or even offer you the lodging for the night.
12. the return will be via the Doran jeepable track which also goes down to the Burzier car park, the starting point of this hike.
Walking time is approximate and does not include break times.
Hike safely!
This description allows you to orient yourself globally but does not replace a hiking map at 1/25000 or other topoguides that you can find in your tourist office! In Sallanches, our Office of Guides & Accompanists also offers a wide choice of outings accompanied by mountain professionals bringing you complete expertise on the environment and alpine nature, think about it!
Whatever your hike, check the weather forecast before you go.
Remember to take cereal bars in your backpack, enough water, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small first aid kit, as well as clothes suitable for your outing depending on the season. and the forecast weather.
Technical informations
10 km
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min. 99999 m
1107 m
1114 m
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Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Tornieux Refuge
As a family or with friends, experience the welcoming atmosphere of a quality refuge located in the heart of a lush mountain pasture with generous meals on offer. In winter, experience our sledging evenings: a Savoyard dinner and tobogganing.
Restaurant d'altitude Refuge du Tornieux
With family or friends, soak up the warm atmosphere of a quality mountain restaurant in the heart of a lush mountain pasture at an altitude of 1450m. In the winter, experience our sledge nights: walk up to the restaurant, enjoy a Savoie-style dinner and sledge back down. Booking recommended.Meals and birthday celebrations, banquets, meetings, receptions.... With a terrace facing the Mont Blanc. Possible Transportation of people up to the refuge if needed. Accessible by 4x4 and a shady path for walkers away from the road. Possible walks in the area: Vallée du coeur, Doran, quatre Têtes
L'Alpage de Mayères (mountain pasture)
Beautiful pasture in the heart of the Aravis range with breathtaking views over the Mont-Blanc and Fiz ranges.
Altisurface de Mayères
Dernière altisurface de Haute-Savoie ouverte à tous les usagers aéronefs utilisant la fréquence montagne 130.0. Au pied des Quatre Têtes le site vous offre une magnifique vue sur les 3 massifs : Mont-Blanc, chaine des Fiz et Aravis.Le refuge de Mayères possède la dernière altisurface de Haute-Savoie. Cette piste est réservée à des pilotes chevronnés possédant une qualification montagne . Infos pour les pilotes LAT : N 45 57 00 // LONG : E 006 35 10 ALT : 5118 ft - Radio: 130.00 Réglementation : du 1 Juillet au 31 Aout En semaine : 2 atterrissages maxi par avion après 9h Le Week-end : 1 atterrissage par avion après 9h
Restaurant d'altitude Chalet de Mayères
Traditionnal and quality cooking and also savoyard specialties. Nearby the Aravis chain this refuge has a unique sight on the Mont-Blanc, with one of the last landing strips of Haute-Savoie.-trash economies -renewable energy
Traditionnal and quality cooking. Situated in Sallanches, the "Refuge de Mayères", nearby the Aravis chain, has a unique sight on the Mont-Blanc chain, with one the the last landing zone of Haute-Savoie.
L'Alpage du Fresnay (mountain pasture) in Doran
At the foot of the Pointe Percée peak and to the sound of the bells of the Abondances (cows), Bernard and Jean-Louis Ballet-Baz welcome you to their alpine farm in Doran at 1500 m altitude. They sell cheese on the farm and at the Sallanches market on Saturday morning.
Chapelle de Doran (Chapel)
The Chapelle de Doran "Notre-Dame de la Paix du Monde" (Our Lady of World Peace) was built by the Boy Scouts between 1951 and 1965, at an altitude of 1600m, for shepherds who lived there during the summer who needed somewhere to pray.
Doran Refuge
Staffed mountain refuge at an altitude of 1495m at the foot of La Pointe Percée (2750m). Accessible from Sallanches : From the Burzier car Park 1 hour 30 walk (dirt track, possible to access in 4x4) From the Plan Chevalier car Park 2 hours 30 walk (through the Forest)
Restaurant d'altitude de Doran
Mountain restaurant nestled at the foot of La Pointe Percée where the Doran Valley has stayed true to its roots. Soak up a spot where agriculture, sport and nature thrive in perfect harmony.-trash economies -renewable energy - Hot water made with local wood - local product ( fruit and vegetable, meat, beer...)
Date and time
- From 01/05/2024 to 31/10/2024
- From 01/05/2025 to 31/10/2025
Additional information
Updated by
Office de Tourisme de Sallanches - 22/04/2024
www.sallanchesmontblanc.com
Report a problem
Open period
From 01/05 to 31/10.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Contact
Phone : 04 50 58 04 25
Email : tourisme@sallanches.com
Website : www.sallanchesmontblanc.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/sallanchesmontblanc
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