The Désert de Platé, a geological curiosity at an altitude of 2,500 m!
Use the destination's mobility network to hike for longer, without having to make the round trip.
265 km of pistes and 5 interlinked resorts (Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval)). For many years they were used as a training ground by Antoine Deneriaz, the gold medal winner in the downhill event at the 2006 Winter Olympics.Thanks to its geographical location, the Grand Massif enjoys abundant, regular snowfalls throughout the season, and the area is well known for the quality of the snow in spring. 80% of the slopes are north-facing, allowing the snow to lie for longer and remain in good condition. The Grand Massif features some exceptional spots: - The Combe de Gers with its dizzying 800 m drop and untouched snow! - The blue Cascades piste running for 14 km from the summit at Flaine to Sixt Fer à Cheval - The Marvel piste that provides beginners with a 5 km run through the heart of a forest over a century old The Grand Massif, freestyle version There are three jamparks for the greater joy of beginners or experienced freestylers alike. Find out more on www.jampark.com
The Platé lapies is renowned as the largest in Europe and offers a magnificent view of Mont Blanc. It covers most of the plateau, giving it the rightful name of "desert". Only accessible on foot.The Platé Desert is a true mineral fortressl. This limestone plateau is surrounded by the majestic Aiguilles de Warens and the mountain of Platé in a fantastic lunar setting. In the cracks, where a little humus accumulates, develops an original and colourful alpine flora including some rare and protected species. The wildlife present here includes: majestic mountain goats, curious marmots , graceful stoats, hares and ptarmigan. The site covers a vast area of ??1980 hectares, protected since 1998.
Refuge located in a preserved valley in the heart of the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval nature reserve. Family hike appreciated for its numerous waterfalls amidst ibex, chamois and marmots.Occupied by former alpine chalets, the Vallon de Sales is known for its access dotted with waterfalls, for the Dérochoir and its view of the Mont-Blanc massif and for the Platé Desert, geological curiosity. Roland and Elisabeth Mogenier created the refuge out of love for the mountains and nature in 1981, they were the guardians of the place for 32 years. Their children continued their family activity with the same values of simplicity, authenticity and respect for nature, while adding a touch of modernity, fantasy and dynamism.
3 km after the Cascade du Rouget, come and eat in an authentic setting in the Nature Reserve Sixt.
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval/Passy Nature Reserve, the biggest nature reserve in Haute-Savoie, covers a vast region and boasts two impressive glacier cirques (Fer à Cheval and Les Fonts), both bursting with spectacular waterfalls.Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval/Passy Nature Reserve, the biggest nature reserve in Haute-Savoie, is an exclusively limestone universe featuring a wide variety of forms sculpted by erosion: fissures, grooves, etc. It covers 9,000 hectares across different mountain levels: sub-alpine, alpine and nival, from the banks of the Giffre at 900 metres up to the top of Buet culminating at over 3,000 metres. This range of elevations and the diversity of terrains (wet zones, mixed forests, cliffs, grassy areas, etc., offer contrasting habitats that are richly populated with a wide variety of wildlife species. From the forests to the highest peaks, approximately 800 plant species have been recorded in the nature reserve, including 28 different orchids! Sixt forest is dominated by beech and spruce, but only the most compatible plants can be found in the mountain pastures. Because the habitat changes with the altitude, there is a huge diversity of animal species: deer, wild boar, marmot, mountain hare, etc.. Wild animals thrive in the tranquillity of the nature reserve: ibex, bearded vulture, rock ptarmigan and royal eagle. To view real-time car park attendance, please click here: affluences.com/parking-de-sixt-fer-a-cheval
Office de Tourisme de Samoëns - 28/06/2024
www.samoens.com
Report a problem
Gondola departure from Samoëns - Grand Massif Express (fee payable)
Take the Chariande Express chairlift (fee payable)
Start on foot from the Tête des Saïx summit.
Follow signs for Col de Vernant, then Col des Grands Vans.
Continue towards Lanches Fleuries, then Col Pelouse to the Col de Platé, from where you can admire the desert of Platé
de Platé, a vast limestone plateau covered with countless lapiaz.
Descend towards Pierre Carré.
Then on to the Refuge de Sales.
Descend towards Le Lignon. On the way down, you can admire numerous waterfalls, notably those of La Sauffaz and La Pleureuse.
Arrival at Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval - Lignon
Return by shuttle bus.
From 06/07 to 01/09/2024.
Phone : 04 50 34 40 28