To the end of the world (almost) and back again

Chalet Cristal

From the chalet you can either head straight along the main road into Samoëns or take the first left off the D907 and go along through the hamlets of Le Villard and Les Mouilles (Route du Villard and Route des Mouilles) before joining the Route de la Piaz (the Joux Plane road) at the bottom in Samoëns.

The hamlets of Les Vallons

The far side of Samoëns, take the road on the left to Le Vallon d'en Haut and Le Valon d'en Bas. Althuogh the route shows a right turn back onto the main road, ignore this and keep going through Les Vallons to rejoin the main road further along. Les Vallons are lovely old villages with interesting buildings and are well worth exploring.

Sixt

Sixt is a beautiful village straddling the river Giffre. There's a boulangerie, which also serves coffee, at the top of the small square just in front of the town hall on the left hand side of the road. Before you come into Sixt you'll pass the Gorge de Tines on the right hand side of the road which is worth a stop. The rafting and kayaking trips which start in Sixt all pass through here and it's also where the via ferrata starts.

The end of the world (almost)

Journey's end is the Cirque du fer-à-cheval nature reserve. The bout de monde (end of the world) is at the far end of the cirque itself. There's a stunning, easy circular walk in the cirque, with a cafe part way round (amazing homemade blueberry tart) and some tougher walks up and out of the cirque itself. The photo is taken from the Bout du Monde looking back down the valley to where the route finishes.

A brief diversion through L'Etelley

On coming back through Samoëns, there are a few options when you cross the River. 1) Keep on the main road and head all the way back to Morillon. 2) Stay on the road a little way and take the left turn for L'Etelley (as shown on the route map). 3) Take the road signposted Samoëns 1600 as soon as you cross the river. If you're a glutton for punishment you can go all the way up to 1600 on this road. Alternatively, head up here for a few hundred m and then take the right turn to l'Etelley. Follow the road through L'Etelley and then turn left onto the D4 up to Morillon Les Esserts (Morillon 1100).

Morillon 1100

Just shy of 400 m climb brings you up to Morillon 1100 ski station. The road up is a very quiet, little used narrow route through farms and brings you through the back of the resort so you won't really see it unless you choose to stop. There are beautiful views from Morillon 1100 across to the Col de Joux Plane. From here it's downhill all the way, through Morillon village and then back across the river to the chalet.

Back to the chalet

Just in time for a late breakfast / elevenses in the sunshine on the verandah.