Explore the mythical GR96 on the Cluses Arve & montains territory. A journey from the lapiaz of Platé to the Col des Annes, facing Mont-Blanc. Hike to the foot of the imposing Pointe Percée, the highest point in the Aravis mountains, for an unforgettable wilderness adventure.
1. Start from the Désert de Platé protected area, facing Mont-Blanc. From the Chalets de Platé, follow the path up through the lapiaz towards the Col du Colonney pass (2321 m). Once you've reached the pass, enjoy the exceptional panorama before starting the descent to the resort of Flaine. The route crosses the ski area to reach the resort center.
2. From Flaine, follow the signs that leave the world of concrete and rock behind and plunge into the forest. The trail descends for a long stretch towards the Arve valley. This is a stage with a significant negative gradient that takes you all the way to the main town of Magland. You cross the valley, passing close to the Tour Sarrasine and crossing the Arve to reach the foot of the opposite slope.
3. From Magland, tackle the sustained climb towards Nancy-sur-Cluses. The trail rises steeply through the forest to reach the unspoilt hamlet of Romme (1297 m). Take the opportunity to admire the traditional architecture of the farmhouses and the view over the valley you've just crossed.
4. Leave Romme and head for the Vormy mountain pasture. The trail offers a magnificent, gentler traverse, with unobstructed views of the Bargy range. After passing the Vormy chalets, the route descends to the village of Le Reposoir (980 m), nestled in the hollow of the mountain cirque, where you'll pass by the famous Chartreuse.
5. From Le Reposoir, the route climbs up the Vallon du Petit Foron. Follow the signs for the Sommier d'Aval farm. The path, wide at first, becomes a mountain pasture path for the final ascent. You climb to the foot of the Pointe Percée to reach the Col des Annes (1721 m), the end of the route.
A variant is available for experienced hikers (19.6 km and 1956 D+): an aerial route over the ridges linking Magland to the Col des Annes via the Pointe du Château and the Vormy mountain pasture.
1. Start from Magland. The route rises immediately and steeply above the valley on a steep and demanding forest path. Leaving the noise of the valley behind, you quickly gain altitude towards the hanging mountain pastures.
2. As you leave the forest, the scenery opens out onto a magnificent ridge crossing. The trail takes you past one panoramic peak after another: Tête de la Sallaz (2026 m) and Tête des Muets (2075 m). The atmosphere is airy, with breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc range on one side and the Aravis massif on the other.
3. Continue along the ridge until you reach Pointe du Château (2104 m), the highest point of this section. After taking in the 360° panorama, start your descent towards the Col de la Gueule à Vent, before dropping down into the vast, wild Vormy alpine pasture, dotted with lapiaz.
4 Join the Chalets de Vormy, the heart of this unspoilt mountain pasture. From the chalets, the path crosses the pastures (passing under the Pointe d'Areu and the Tête du Château) to rejoin the classic route. You finish this beautiful traverse by reaching the Col des Annes, opposite the Pointe Percée.
Warning: this variant is more technical and physical than the classic route via Romme. It includes ridge sections that can be impressive (subject to vertigo) and requires stable weather (very exposed to thunderstorms).
2. From Flaine, follow the signs that leave the world of concrete and rock behind and plunge into the forest. The trail descends for a long stretch towards the Arve valley. This is a stage with a significant negative gradient that takes you all the way to the main town of Magland. You cross the valley, passing close to the Tour Sarrasine and crossing the Arve to reach the foot of the opposite slope.
3. From Magland, tackle the sustained climb towards Nancy-sur-Cluses. The trail rises steeply through the forest to reach the unspoilt hamlet of Romme (1297 m). Take the opportunity to admire the traditional architecture of the farmhouses and the view over the valley you've just crossed.
4. Leave Romme and head for the Vormy mountain pasture. The trail offers a magnificent, gentler traverse, with unobstructed views of the Bargy range. After passing the Vormy chalets, the route descends to the village of Le Reposoir (980 m), nestled in the hollow of the mountain cirque, where you'll pass by the famous Chartreuse.
5. From Le Reposoir, the route climbs up the Vallon du Petit Foron. Follow the signs for the Sommier d'Aval farm. The path, wide at first, becomes a mountain pasture path for the final ascent. You climb to the foot of the Pointe Percée to reach the Col des Annes (1721 m), the end of the route.
A variant is available for experienced hikers (19.6 km and 1956 D+): an aerial route over the ridges linking Magland to the Col des Annes via the Pointe du Château and the Vormy mountain pasture.
1. Start from Magland. The route rises immediately and steeply above the valley on a steep and demanding forest path. Leaving the noise of the valley behind, you quickly gain altitude towards the hanging mountain pastures.
2. As you leave the forest, the scenery opens out onto a magnificent ridge crossing. The trail takes you past one panoramic peak after another: Tête de la Sallaz (2026 m) and Tête des Muets (2075 m). The atmosphere is airy, with breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc range on one side and the Aravis massif on the other.
3. Continue along the ridge until you reach Pointe du Château (2104 m), the highest point of this section. After taking in the 360° panorama, start your descent towards the Col de la Gueule à Vent, before dropping down into the vast, wild Vormy alpine pasture, dotted with lapiaz.
4 Join the Chalets de Vormy, the heart of this unspoilt mountain pasture. From the chalets, the path crosses the pastures (passing under the Pointe d'Areu and the Tête du Château) to rejoin the classic route. You finish this beautiful traverse by reaching the Col des Annes, opposite the Pointe Percée.
Warning: this variant is more technical and physical than the classic route via Romme. It includes ridge sections that can be impressive (subject to vertigo) and requires stable weather (very exposed to thunderstorms).
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