Hiking Trail: “Au fil du Giffre” Greenway

Taninges–La Rivière Enverse Area: Set out on the “Au fil du Giffre” trail, starting with a visit to the Chartreuse de Mélan and its contemporary art park. Built in 1285 by Béatrice de Faucigny, this structure is spectacular in both size and state of preservation. Now owned by the Haute-Savoie department, the site’s 3-hectare park is home to monumental contemporary sculptures. You’ll then continue your journey along the banks of the Giffre, where you can enjoy the Art and Nature Trail, which winds directly through natural, preserved landscapes. Constantly evolving, the trail—created at the initiative of the “Artistes en herbe” association—features semi-permanent and ephemeral artworks. You’ll then continue along the shores of Lac des Vernays to reach a place called “Les Bois.” Morillon–Verchaix–Samoëns Area: After a long walk through wooded areas, you’ll arrive at the heart of the “Au fil du Giffre” trail’s recreational paradise: Lac Bleu de Morillon and, 7 kilometers further on, Les Lacs aux Dames—two sites offering a multitude of fun activities! Places perfect for both relaxation and thrills. On the shores of Lac Bleu—which gets its name from its magical hues contrasting with the green of the surrounding peaks—you can swim, tackle a tree-top adventure course, go horseback riding, try your hand at the pump track, or even play mini-golf. A wide variety of activities to enjoy with friends or family. Les Lacs aux Dames in Samoëns is a remarkable destination where you can hike, fish, take a leisurely stroll, go for a run, or try the on-site recreational activities: tree-top adventure courses, tennis, disc golf, swimming, paragliding… After crossing the R’biolle footbridge, you’ll pass under the Grand Massif Express gondola, which in winter takes you to the eponymous ski area. After the Clévieux footbridge, you have two options: either continue along the Giffre River (GR5) through the woods, or take the dirt road that runs alongside the farmland, enjoying a beautiful panoramic view of the Criou and Buet rivers along the way. The two trails meet at the Pont du Perret. Sixt Fer à Cheval Area: If you’re biking, it’s recommended to tackle this section on a mountain bike. After a climb through the hamlet of Le Perret, you’ll reach the Tines Gorges, where you can stop to watch rafts and other whitewater enthusiasts pass by. If you wish, you can cross the Tines footbridge near the parking lot to reach the Rochers des Tines, a major rock-climbing destination for all skill levels in the Giffre Mountains. As you continue along the path leading to the Seuil des Tines lookout point, you’ll see the old railroad track that once connected Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval to Annemasse; the closed-off tunnel you see now serves as a aging cellar for the neighboring farm. You’ll then pass through the beautiful village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval before heading toward the hamlet of Vivier and continuing on to the Cirque du Fer à Cheval. This major site in Haute-Savoie gets its name from the shape of its cliffs, which give the impression of being in an open-air amphitheater. It is the largest alpine cirque. Its impressive vertical walls give rise to a multitude of waterfalls, the number of which varies with the seasons. The site is currently in the process of applying for “Grand Site de France” designation.