Alert
Alerts
Hiking: From Bise to Ubine
IGN cards
Description
A beautiful hike between alpine pastures and forests. It offers superb views of the mountains and the Cornettes de Bise and Mont de Grange Natura 2000 sites.
Don't miss the impressive cliffs of Mont Chauffé.
The Bise and Ubine hike, nestled in the heart of the Chablais, in the Abondance valley, will offer you an exceptional view of various alpine peaks.
Starting from the car park of the Bise chalets, you will walk on a downhill forest path then you will reach the Fontaine lake. Following a forest path with a slight difference in altitude, you will then reach the Ubine refuge, where you can take advantage of the tables and an outdoor pool to take a break. The small Ubine chapel was built during the French revolution.
You will cross several mountain pastures during this hike, these are the ones that allow the cows to graze and then the farmers to produce Abondance, the famous cheese characteristic of the territory and the object of a protected designation of origin.
You will then reach the Col d'Ubine, under the vertiginous ridge of Mont Chauffé and descend to the Chalets de Mens.
You will then go up by the Pas de la Bosse with a superb view of the Cornettes de Bise, a nice descent on the GR5 trail to reach the Chalets de Bise and its refuge.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Date and time
- From 01/06/2026 to 15/10/2026
Additional information
Open period
From 01/06 to 15/10 daily.
Check with tourist offices in advance to find out the current access conditions.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Sustainable tourism
This route crosses the Cornettes de Bise nature reserve. To avoid disturbing wildlife and preserve its habitat, please respect the regulations in force:
Dogs are allowed and must be kept on a leash. It is forbidden to pick and gather plants, to dump waste of any kind or to use motorized vehicles. Bivouacs are permitted from 7pm to 9am.
To respect agricultural practices, natural areas and wildlife, please keep your dogs on a leash and pick up after them. Keep and sort your garbage, stay on the paths and close the fences.
Updated by
Office de Tourisme Leman Mountains Explore - 24/11/2025
leman-mountains-explore.com
Report a problem
Environments
Lakeside or by stretch of water
Lake view
Mountain view
Mountain location
Contact
Phone : 04 50 73 51 41
Email : lachapelledabondance@ot-peva.com
Website : https://leman-mountains-explore.com
Type of land
Stone
Ground
Grit
Not suitable for strollers
Location complements
Access (by car) : From Thonon-les-Bains, take the D22 towards Vacheresse then leave the village via the hamlets of Villard and Revenette, towards Bise.
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
Hiking maps and guidebooks are available for purchase at tourist offices throughout the Evian and Abondance Valley region.
Map references :
- Map guide to 65 walks and hikes in the Evian region and Abondance valley
- Map of walking routes in the Portes du Soleil area in France and Switzerland
- IGN TOP 25 No. 3528 ET Morzine Chablais Massif Portes du Soleil
Reception complements
Whatever your hike, remember to take cereal bars, sufficient water, sunglasses, sun cream, a small first aid kit, as well as clothes adapted to your outing according to the season and the weather forecast.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/ From "Chalets de Bise (parking)", take the direction "Ubine (Refuge) by Lac de Fontaine". Continue to follow "Ubine (Refuge)" at the intersections "Les Chatellets", "Lac de Fontaine", "Marais de Léchère" and "Les Maupas".
2/ At the first signpost "Ubine (Refuge)", continue towards "Ubine (Parking)" and then at the second signpost "Ubine (Refuge)", follow the direction "Chalets de Bise (Refuge) by Pas de la Bosse". At the intersection "Col d'Ubine", take the path on the right, always towards "Chalets de Bise (Refuge) par Pas de la Bosse".
3/ At the level of "Chalets de Mens", "Chalet de la Combe au Trot", "Combe au Trot (Haut)", "Pas de la Bosse" and "Chalet de Bise", continue in the direction of "Chalets de Bise (Refuge)
4/ Once you have reached the Chalets de Bise Refuge, go back to your starting point " Chalets de Bise (Parking) ".
Animals
Yes. Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of livestock and wildlife.
Livestock guard dogs are present in this area, so it is recommended that you adapt your behaviour to minimise disturbance to the livestock and avoid triggering the dogs (barking, approaching, etc.). If the dogs approach,
