 Samoëns
is situated 60 minutes from Geneva airport, at the heart
of the Haute-Savoie and is a walker’s paradise. Accommodation is in our beautiful Farmhouse which is situated on the GR5. Alpine walking extends for miles from our front door.
This typically French village and the nearby Les Vallons
nestle in a broad glacial valley watered by the river Giffre,
with nine other outlying hamlets on the wooded slopes nearby.
Its name comes from a medieval expression meaning ‘the
seven mountains which surround the village‘.
Occupying a broad valley among the Alps, lakes and rivers,
this ancient settlement, with its solid architecture, is classified
as an historic monument by the Caisse des Monuments Historiques.
 The
Grand Massif offers activities to suit all tastes, from long
expeditions using the mountain Refuges such as the Refuge
des Sales, la Golese and Bostan Tornay. One of the most beautiful
day walks around Samoëns starts at the cascade du Rouget,
passes by several more waterfalls and eventually leads you
to the Chalet des Sales. There are many other shorter and
flatter half day and day walks, such as the walk to the Cirque
du Fer à Cheval, which is a straightforward 3-4 hour
walk leading through the beautiful National Park onto the
Bout du Monde, the scene of major landslides in 2003.
From altitudes of 700 to 3 100 metres, there is something
for everyone: a walk on the plane along the banks of the Giffre,
following the guided trail through the local Chapels, a half
day guided walk meeting local people and finding out about
their way of life and traditions, and longer outings to see
the flora and fauna such as the 18 k walk from Bémont,
out through Sixt and back through the beautiful Les Vallons.
 From
the Jaÿsinia alpine botanical garden to the summit of
the Mont Buet, and the richness of local stories and legends,
you can roam in the footsteps of the Frahans, the renowned
stone cutters, through picturesque Alpine villages or follow
the trails of celebrated personalities such as Jacques Balmat,
the conqueror of Mont Blanc, the Deluc brothers, Alfred Wills,
and H.B.de Saussure, all wanderers who have enjoyed and sometimes
been challenged by the walking in this area.
The only massif of the French Pre-Alps with glaciers, the
Massif of the Haut Giffre is unique. Suspended over the abysses
of the Cirque du Fer à Cheval, the ice slopes lead
to very isolated summits. The Grand Ruan (3,040m) and the
Tenneverge (2,989m) are the highest points. In this mountainous
region there are 900 km of marked footpaths, supported by
exciting “Refuges” suitable for a day walk lunch
or an overnight bed. I have regularly enjoyed the walk to
the Refuges of la Golese and Bostan Tornay. This 10km (4-5
hour) walk starts on the northern slopes above Samoëns
and Les Vallons near to the route of the Col du Joux-Plane.
 For
those walkers who want even more of a challenge there is the
well-known 6-day Franco-Swiss itinerary, with 8 family walks
which will help you appreciate this unique region. In addition,
there is the challenging Haute-Route from Geneva to Chamonix
following the GR5 and GR20 which pass via Samoëns, on
through Les Vallons, away into the distance onto the Cirque
du Fer à Cheval, the Alps and Chamonix.
For those who want more of a thrill in their walking, the
Via Ferrata is an activity which lies somewhere between walking
and rock climbing; there is a horizontal and vertical progression.
The itineraries are equipped with cables and metal ladders
which make the route a little easier, although it can remain
demanding. Local guides will take you around this very different
“walk”.
 The
majority of all this and much more can be accessed from a
starting pint in Samoens or Les Vallons. You can take a horse-drawn
carriage through this town, or stroll through the picturesque
market square and along pedestrianised streets, past ancient
buildings many of which were crafted by medieval stonemasons.
Samoëns still preserves much of the fine stonework for
which its ‘Frahans’ (masons) were famous, notably
in the central area around the old market place.
At the heart of a great glacial valley, Samoëns retains
the friendly charm of an ancient market town still strongly
influenced by its farming and masonry traditions. The range
and type of walk available is so extensive that I have only
been able to give you a brief flavour of what is on offer
but I would encourage you to look in much greater detail at
this Alpine walker’s paradise. |
