Boucle cyclo du Giffre

A circuit of discovery of a beautiful pre-Alpine valley which is accessed by the small pass of Châtillon. Stop in Taninges to listen to the biggest carillon in Haute Savoie (Thursday only).

Direction of travel: clockwise
Landmarks and connections: Châtillon-sur-Cluses; Taninges (separation with the Circuit de la Ramaz n°38 and the Circuit de Joux-Plane n°36); Samoëns (separation with the round trip of Fer-à-Cheval n°40)
Description: The Giffre is the main tributary of the Are and one of the most abundant rivers in France relative to its size. This is due to the large amounts of rain and snowfall that occur in the pre-Alpine massif it drains. It is in May, June, and July, during the peak snowmelt, that you will see the most water in its bed, apart from flash floods caused by storms. The proposed route allows you to discover both sides of the middle Giffre valley. To get there, you will first have to cross the Châtillon pass. After the descent, you will cross the river and arrive in Taninges, whose bell tower houses the largest carillon in Haute-Savoie. You can hear it if you visit on Thursday, market day. Also worth seeing are the contemporary art exhibitions held in Taninges at the Chartreuse de Mélan. The route continues along the right bank to Samoëns where you will cross to the other side. After returning to the "back" side, you will cross the Châtillon pass again, with less elevation gain.