Staying safe... The mountains are a natural setting; there are always risks but these treks are not technically difficult and do not follow dangerous routes. You are responsible for yourself: you must be equipped to help yourself and those with you. Choose a route within your capabilities and be prepared to turn back if the weather deteriorates (storms/fog, etc...). Be prudent before setting off Tell someone of your planned route and the time you expect to return (family, host...). Make sure you are well-equipped: take good walking boots, warm clothes (it could be windy and cold at altitude), hat and sunglasses, food and drink (for children too). Do not take any short-cuts; leaving the marked trail is often the quickest way to get lost! Useful maps IGN : TOP 25-3528ET (Morzine), TOP 25-3428ET (Thonon), TOP 25-3429ET (Bonneville) and TOP 25-3530ET (Samoëns) available at bookshops and other outlets. Someone to walk with Local guides offer a range of supervised outings to explore the mountains safely. Please ask for the guides' list from your nearest tourist office. Useful phone numbers • Chamonix weather forecast: 00 33 (0)8 99 71 02 74 (fee applies). The weather forecast is on display in tourist offices. • International rescue services: dial 112 from a mobile. Summer guide 2015 Guide été 2015 2/3 How to use this guide Total change in altitude. Easy hike. Average difficulty hike. The level is based on the length of the hike, its total vertical climb, but also on how wild or far from help it is. Mountain lifts (opening dates and times). Times listed here can vary depending on your fitness and walking speed. D DV Starting point - Optional detour. 1 Indicates orientation info (intersections, vistas) that can be found on the map and in the guide book's notes. Footpath described in the itinerary. Optional detours. Other footpaths to use as points of reference. Walks for young children or with pushchairs. For visitors on holiday, walkers or those who already know the area, the Multi Pass Portes du Soleil grants unlimited access to over 50 different facilities in the area, including the lift system that acts as a gateway to the walks described in this guide! €2 per for all visitors staying with a participating accommodation provider, otherwise available for just €8 per day. Ask for information at tourist offices visit www.portesdusoleil.com Geosites in chaBLais to visit this suMMer Notable Geosites Les Gorges du Pont du Diable © antoine Berger soMe Geosites in chaBLais to visit in the vaLLée this suMMer Lac de vaLLon (BeLLevaux) Lac de Montriond Forêt ivre (vaiLLy) ardoisières de Morzine BeLvédère de reyvroz rouLeau de Bostan (Morzine) BeLvédère de tréchauFFé (La ForcLaz) reMontées Mécaniques d'avoriaz (Morzine) GorGes du Pont du diaBLe (La vernaz) Lac des écoLes (Les Gets) Summer guide 2015 4/5 1 Le Lac de Vallon + 110m Section to access the waterfalls can be a little steep and slippery 3h Lake's emerald-green waters have a surprising past D At Bellevaux, head for the Vallon lake (6 km) and park in the car park when you arrive. Cross the road and walk up the forest path which passes the hamlets of Court- Champ and Grand-Champ. 1 Carry on along the forest path to the fork in the path, taking the path on the right that heads down into the forest as far as the Chèvrerie. Then cross the road and head to the Tête au Moine restaurant, before continuing downhill through the field between two ski lifts, to the Brevon river where the path heads to the right, leading to the Chapelle Saint- Bruno esplanade. 2 Continue towards the Croix des Chartreux but watch your footing -- and children's -- as the path can be slippy when it rains. The path heads uphill into the forest, as far as the Cascade de Diomaz waterfall. Have a look for the cross carved into the rock by the monks, which signals the limit of their domain (alt. 1195m). Look hard, and remember you could be standing on it! 3 Turn round and head back the way you came to Chapelle Saint-Bruno. Take the path on the left which will take you along the lake and back to the car park where you set out. The Vallon lake is one of the Geosites in the Chablais Geopark. Explanatory panels tell the story of the Geopark and Vallon lake. Summer guide 2015 Guide été 2054 6/7 Vallon lake In the heart of Bellevaux, a discovery trail "The call of the mountains" awaits (L’Appel de la Montagne). Answer the call (suitable for families) using the booklet and the 7 resort “trials”. Available during the course of summer 2015. More information and booklet sales (€5) from the Alpes du Léman tourist offices. 2 Le Mont Forchat + 160m 2h A magnificent walk and a breathtaking view from Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc D From Lullin, head to the car park at Très le Mont, passing by the Col du Feu (6 km). From the parking, follow the dirt track, then take the path to the left that goes up towards the forest of pine and beech trees. Stay on the main path, marked out in red and white. 1 After a 50 minute walk, you will arrive in a clearing (where an annual mass for the pilgrimage of St Francis of Sales is held). 2 After another 10 minutes of walking you reach Mont Forchat (1539 m) where there is a breathtaking 360° panorama including views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Return by the same route. Summer guide 2015 Guide été 2015 8/9 The "Shadow in the Meadow" walk What might the sound of galloping be in the night? Who are these shadowy figures rising from the bog? "Fanfoué du Terrebout" tells the strange story of the black rider and the surprising events that are linked to the Très-le - Mont meadows. In fact, the pasture lies at the foot of Mont- Forchat and is a place climbers headed for before going on to conquer nearby summits. The 2- hour walk takes visitors deep into this magnificent venue, which is as grandiose as it is accessible for all. Experience what it used to be like in this Alpine meadow where people lived and worked for four months of the year. Booklets containing details of the routes are available for sale (€5) in all Alpes du Léman tourist offices. 3 De la Buchille aux chalets de Pertuis + 180m 1h A pretty walk in Alpine meadows D At Bellevaux, head towards the chalets at Buchille, via the hamlet at Bossons. The track rises to the meadows at Buchille (6,5km); leave your car below the chalets in the little parking area and take the track that heads up and to the right, towards the Pertuis chalets. 1 The path heads gently uphill through Alpine meadows to the Pertuis chalets (alt. 1585m) where you'll be able to see the Mévonne chalets at the foot of the sheer face of Mont-Billiat and the Rocher du Jotty. Far away, from north to south, are the peaks of the Mémises, Dent d'Oche and Cornettes de Bise. Further away still you'll see the Swiss Valais mountains. 2 Return to the Buchille chalets by the same route. SumGmueird geu éidteé 2200151 5 10 /11 This walk explores the high altitude meadows of La Buchille, between Mont Billiat and Ireuse summit. In the old days some 300 cows were kept here. Today, dairy farmers live here from June to September so they can milk the cows twice a day. Please keep dogs on a lead, so they do not disturb the cattle. The walk also provides the opportunity to see common high meadow plants: yellow gentian and Alpine anemone. 4 L’Oratoire des Pas + 50m 1h15 A shaded walk with a Lake Geneva view D From Reyvroz church, take the road uphill and follow the GR5 route signposted in red and white. 1 Once you arrive at the first oratory, carry on straight ahead to the next one, the Oratoire des Pas. The route meanders nicely in the shade of spruce and beech trees for around 30 minutes until you reach the Oratoire des Pas. Along the way you can see Lake Geneva and views of the Lower Chablais countryside, through gaps in the trees. 2 Head back the way you came and take a few minutes to find out more about the Chablais Geopark from the details posted on the information panel near the church, which indicates the Reyvroz Geosite. SumGmueird geu éidteé 2200151 5 12/13 The Geopark and Georoute The Chablais Geopark stretches from the southern shore of Lake Geneva to the peaks of the Portes du Soleil. It explores man and the Earth's shared history. 23 emblematic geosites that are independent yet complementary help explain how the Alps were formed, while also showing the countryside in a new light and helping us enjoy the riches on our doorstep. 5 La Pointe de Tréchauffé + 400m Elevated area at the peak 2h35 A pretty circuit offering a magnificent view of Lake Geneva D Leave your car at the Col de Tréchauffé car park near the goat farm (6km above La Forclaz village). From the car park, head back 300m or so along the road towards Tréchauffé chalets. 1 Take the track on your right towards Tréchauffé summit (“Pointe de Tréchauffé”), which you should reach in 1hr15. The track is steep to start with as far as Col de l’Aiguille (alt.