Hike to the Alpage of Chailloux

The chalets of Chailloux are built in the middle of a mountain pasture. An exceptional green landscape allows you to admire the Mont Blanc massif as well as the Bossons glacier, located just opposite.

This exceptional viewpoint located at 2285m of altitude will lead you to the doors of the natural reserve of Carlaveyron. With a magnificent and panoramic view on the Mont Blanc, this mountain rises in front of this sumptuous massif.

Nestled at the southern end of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, in the commune of Les Houches, the Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron is home to a mosaic of environments favorable to numerous species.The Carlaveyron Nature Reserve is located at the southern end of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, in the commune of Les Houches. Its 598 hectares have been protected since 1991. The Carlaveyron plateau is a veritable sanctuary of biodiversity. The altitude, relief and soil conditions are conducive to the development of wetlands: peat bogs, low marshes and ponds. These environments are home to the Cordulie des Alpes, a dragonfly emblematic of high-altitude wetlands, as well as remarkable plants such as the Droséra, the Rubanier à feuilles étroites and the Laîche de Magellan - a rare plant found in France only in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Amphibians such as the Red-legged Frog and the Alpine Newt also find refuge here; the latter is dressed in its nuptial finery of glowing red hues as breeding approaches. In fine weather, ibex and chamois come to feed and quench their thirst. At the upper limit of the forest, black grouse move between blueberry and rhododendron moors and alpine meadows. Further down, the beech-fir forest of the Diosaz gorges hides rare and protected species. In the wet valleys, shady ravines and moss-covered gneiss walls, the Lynx shares its territory with insects that love dead wood, the Hazel Grouse, the Golden Eagle and the discreet Three-toed Woodpecker. Regulations : - Dogs prohibited - Garbage prohibited - Fires prohibited - Flower picking prohibited - Overflight prohibited - Camping prohibited, reservations required for bivouacs - All sound equipment prohibited - Inscriptions on rocks, markings and signs prohibited - All advertising referring to the nature reserve is prohibited - Work prohibited, including the installation of new climbing routes

BOOKING REQUIERED Come and watch the mountain animals roam freely in this animal park in a magical setting, at an altitude of 1500m, just opposite Mont-Blanc.Perched at an altitude of 1500m above the Chamonix valley, the Merlet mountain pasture first amazes with its breathtaking panorama of the Mont-Blanc massif. Merlet then immerses you in its vast animal world, as you enjoy an easy hike through forest and sunny meadows, marked out by its traditional old mountain chalets. The unusual closeness of this area to its many animals is surprising, and almost makes you forget how wild they are... Species to discover: ibex, sika deer, llama, mouflon, marmot, chamois and fallow deer! Short mid-mountain hike, 2 to 3 hours' visit. Numerous benches and deckchairs punctuate the visit. The altiport, a large, flat lawn, is also a great place to lie down. At any time of year, discover the exhibition rooms and video projections, the souvenir store, the fun and educational stages and the guided tour in 4 languages on your smartphone! In July and August, depending on the weather and the agenda, free afternoon activities are offered: the mountain and its secrets, wood and horns, predators, "Merlet, what a story!" Fun trail, exhibition room and video projection, entertainment, restaurant and store. Services at your disposal: - 150 parking spaces spread over 1000m. - Bar restaurant, panoramic terrace, open at the same times. - Picnic tables at the park entrance - Shuttles from July 7 to August 29, Monday to Friday from the station SNCF train station - free of charge Baby carriers preferable.

Free outdoor parking at Le Bettey. Authorized parking time: 24 hours.