The 10 most beautiful walks around Megève

randonnees-megeve

Looking for the best walks around Megève? Between enchanting valleys and high mountains, discover the best trails nestled in this exceptional destination.

Just two hours from Lyon and one hour fromAnnecy, Megève is a superb mountain village as well as a sports meeting place. In winter, skiing and snowshoeing are the stars of the season, before the playground transforms into a hiker’s paradise in summer.

And given its geographical location, it’s easy to see why: right in the heart of the Alps, Megève is a veritable crossroads between the Aravis and Beaufortin massifs. With its exceptional panoramas, we’ve put together a small selection of the best hikes around Megève!

1. Col du Jaillet via Petit Croisse Baulet

randonnees-autour-de-megeve

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: about 3h30
  • Distance: 12.6 km
  • Ascent: 910 m
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • See the route

If you’re looking for the ultimate in Megève scenery, the Col de Jaillet hike and the panoramic summit of Petit Croisse Baulet are sure to thrill. With a 360° view of the Mont-Blanc massif and the Aravis mountain range, don’t forget your camera to immortalize the moment.

Most of the ascent is through undergrowth, making it a pleasant walk and an escape from the summer heat. Once you reach the top of the Col du Jaillet, in addition to the sublime scenery, a Roman milestone dating from 74 AD awaits you. Did you know that this pass once marked the border between two Celtic tribes?

Continuing on, the trail takes you to Petit Croisse Baulet, from where you can enjoy a fabulous panorama of the sublime Haute-Savoie massifs and the Mont-Blanc glaciers.

The trail alternates between alpine pastures and forest, in an atmosphere that is both grandiose and soothing. An excellent way to escape the sweltering summer heat, the trail can also be enjoyed in winter on snowshoes.

2. Le Belvédère de La Croix des Salles

Le Belvédère de La Croix des Salles

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: approx. 2 hours
  • Distance: 6.6 km
  • Height difference: 462 m
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • See the route

We stay with the sublime views and take you to the Combloux mountain pastures. With panoramic views of the Mont-Blanc massif, the Aravis mountains and the Aiguilles de Varens, the Belvédère de La Croix de Salles hike is a must-do around Megève. You don’t have to be a great sportsman to complete this loop, as the route is fast and the scenery directly breathtaking.

The trail starts at the Beauregard mountain pasture. And if the name doesn’t ring a bell, it’s the setting for the Milka advert with its famous marmot who puts the chocolate in the foil.

Continuing on, you’ll reach La Croix des Salles, with its panoramic view of the highest peaks in the Mont Blanc range. On the way back down, simply head for the Jaillet gondola, then the Ravine, before reaching the finish.

Good to know: in summer, you’ll find several chalets and restaurants along the trail, including Alpages du Cœur d’Or, P’tite Ravine, Petit Cuchet and Chalet d’Emilie, where you can enjoy a pleasant lunch in the heart of nature.

3. Mont Joux via La Croix du Christ and Hermance

Le Mont Joux par La Croix du Christ et Hermance

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: about 3h30
  • Distance: 12.2 km
  • Difference in altitude: 620 m
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • See the route

We’re now heading for the Mont Joux hike, a little-known yet magnificent route. The hike features several points of interest and superb views, with a more than reasonable gradient.

The route begins on the Route de Planay, alternating between forest and alpine meadows, before reaching a superb viewpoint of Mont Joux, standing proudly at over 1,800 meters.

Once you’ve been won over by the scenery, the discovery continues with the Hermance alpine chalets. These charming little cheese-making dwellings offer a superb panorama to explore at any time of year.

It’s also on this stretch of the trail that you’ll find animals in the middle of flowering meadows in summer, while they return to the stables the rest of the year.

Without difficulty, it’s a superb way to explore the mountains around Megève.

4. La Grande Croisse Baulet via Le Col du Jaillet

La Grande Croisse Baulet via Le Col du Jaillet

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: approx. 4h30
  • Distance: 11.6 km
  • Ascent: 899 m
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • See the route

We’ve already told you about the Col du Jaillet and Petit Croisse Baulet, now let’s get down to business: Grand Croisse Baulet via the Col du Jaillet.

These two peaks are part of the same chain in the heart of the Aravis massif, yet they differ from one another in terms of difficulty and altitude difference. Climbing to an altitude of over 2,236 metres, the hike to Grand Croisse Baulet is more demanding and requires a good level of fitness.

But the effort is well worth it, and the summit offers breathtaking views of Mont-Blanc, the Aravis mountains and the Fiz. You’ll pass several ridges offering impressive panoramas on either side, with the intoxicating sensation of being on top of the world.

However, it’s important to make sure you’re properly equipped before you set off: warm clothes and good shoes are a must. The summit can be very windy at times, making you feel cold in no time.

5. The Panoramic Tour of Haut Combloux

La Balade Panoramique du Haut Combloux

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: approx. 2 hours
  • Distance: 5.1 km
  • Height difference: 265 m
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • See the route

On a different note, the Balade Panoramique de Haut Combloux is the ideal way to admire an exceptional view of Mont-Blanc without spending the whole day climbing. Short and accessible to young and old alike, it’s the hike to include in your Megève vacation planning.

In addition to magical panoramas, this bucolic walk takes you through magnificent villages such as the hamlet of Ormaret. You’ll be able to appreciate the still-active farms, the village chapel and all its traditional architecture. Sublime and bewitching, with such an ambience the change of scenery is guaranteed.

6. Mont Joux and Mont d’Arbois via Chemin du Maz

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Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: approx. 6.30 hours
  • Distance: 18 km
  • Ascent: 1,076 m
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • See the route

The Mont Joux and Mont d’Arbois hike is one of Megève’s must-do trails. The path takes you first to Mont Joux, from where you can see not only the Mont Blanc massif, but also Mont Joly, the Fiz chain and the Aravis range.

But don’t stop there, and continue your ascent to Mont Arbois. You’ll be able to admire a second panorama, discover a breathtaking view of Mont-Blanc, and enjoy a pleasant lunch in a high-altitude restaurant. It’s the perfect way to take in the scenery before heading back down.

The trail isn’t the easiest, but it will give you access to unobstructed, varied views over the whole valley and its neighboring peaks. Between high mountain landscapes, farms and alpine pastures, this is truly a breathtaking hike from every point of view.

7. The Alpette loop

La Boucle de l'Alpette

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: approx. 2h15
  • Distance: 7.7 km
  • Difference in altitude: 620 m
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • See the route

The Boucle de l’Alpette is a pleasant family hike starting just outside Megève. It takes you along the Rochebrune path to the Col de l’Alpette.

Along the way, you’ll catch a glimpse of Mont Joly and the Aiguille de Croche, before climbing to the summit at an altitude of 1,871 metres! At the top, a completely different spectacle awaits you, with a sublime view of the Beaufortain mountains.

And what could be better to do after a great climb and fluffy legs? Enjoy a tasty meal in a high-altitude restaurant surrounded by nature. The 360° panoramic view makes for a magical moment, making it the ideal spot for a picnic break.

This year-round loop is ideal for both summer hiking and snowshoeing. It’s a route to keep in mind if you come to breathe the fresh air of Megève.

8. Mont d’Arbois

Le Mont d'Arbois

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: about 1 hour
  • Distance: 1.4 km
  • Height difference: 33 m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • See the route

Because you can’t leave Megève without seeing Mont Arbois, we suggest a short 1.4 km walk to get there.

As you can see, it’s a short but effective walk that takes you to some of the mountain’s most breathtaking panoramas, making it an unmissable part of any stay in Megeve, and ideal for the family’s first summer outings.

9. Le Leutaz et le Sangle

Le Leutaz et le Sangle randonnees megeve

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: about 5h30
  • Distance: 15.1 km
  • Height difference: 881 m
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • See the route

Now let’s discover some of Megève’s lesser-known valleys. We’ll take you up to Le Leutaz, with its magnificent 360° panorama of the Alpette and Mont de Vorès. The start of the trail takes you through the mountain pastures, where you’ll find the Chalet de Barchamp, La Tête, Le Stiard and Le Chevant.

Then, following the slopes of the Sangle, you reach an altitude of 2,020 metres. On this section, steep passages can increase the difficulty of the route, but the breathtaking panoramas will soon make you forget the effort.

We love this hike for its alpine pastures and unspoilt, mysterious valley atmosphere. The scenery changes as you gain altitude, with magnificent views in between. And the presence of ibexes along the way adds a dose of enchantment to the moment.

10. From Combloux to Praz-sur-Arly

De Combloux à Praz-sur-Arly

Photo credit : Alltrails

  • Duration: about 5 hours
  • Distance: 18.5 km
  • Height difference: 983 m
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • See the route

We end this selection with a traverse between Combloux and Praz-sur-Arly. Just a stone’s throw from Mont Blanc, the trail between these two villages offers magnificent panoramic views. You can also enjoy a gourmet or refreshing stopover when you arrive in Praz-sur-Arly, as the resort abounds in brasseries and restaurants.

The ascent takes place in an unspoilt natural cocoon of mountain pastures, villages, forest and green valley. This 18-kilometer loop is easy to complete in summer or winter, and is a pleasant hike to enjoy alone or with the family during your stay in Megève.