Snowshoe trail - Col de Bassachaux | Plaine Dranse

This route, which starts in the forest and leads to the Col de Bassachaux, takes you through some magnificent scenery with panoramic views over the Vallée d'Abondance, the Vallée d'Aulps and Lake Montriond.

To get to the start of the trail from the village centre, take the route de Pré la Joux and park at the Pré la Joux chairlift car park. You can also take the line 1 shuttle bus to the "Télésiège de Pré la Joux" stop. The path begins by climbing gently above the carpet tunnel and then dips slightly into the forest along the stream. Cross the stream on a small bridge to emerge above the bobsleigh run. Continue along the right-hand path, again through the forest, as far as "La place des plaines", where there is an oratory. The route then turns left to reach the Grands Plans mountain pastures. Follow the track and markings through these magnificent areas to the Col de Bassachaux, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the two valleys. The return journey takes the same route. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can continue along the summer route to the chalets at Plaine Dranse. From there, you can return either by the same route or by taking the Pierre Longue chairlift back to Pré la Joux. You can also take the Pierre-Longue chairlift directly up to the Col de Bassachaux from Plaine-Dranse. In this case, the difference in altitude is 150m and takes 1 hour 20 return (4.6 km).