We’ve crafted this five-day trek to show you the raw beauty of this corner of the Alps — a route stitched together from paths we know and love. Thomas (your guide, and proud local from Passy) has spent the past ten years exploring every nook of the Fiz range — running, skiing, wandering, pausing. This route is his personal favourite: a custom-de- signed adventure that leads you over remote mountain passes, through wide open silence, along little-known trails, and to cosy, off-grid mountain huts where the fondue is hot, the stars are sharp, and the card games never end on time.
HAUTE ROUTE DES FIZ
Welcome to the Fiz Mountain Range. Just a stone’s throw from Mont Blanc, the Fiz mountain range is one of the best-kept secrets of the French Alps. Think dramatic cliffs, turquoise alpine lakes, and long, quiet trails where you’re more likely to bump into a curious ibex than a crowd of hikers. It’s wild, it’s rugged, and it’s absolutely stunning — all without the hustle of
the better-known tourist routes. And the best part? You get Mont Blanc views for days, without actually walking on the Mont Blanc trails.
Fiche publiée le 3 juin 2025
MASSIF DU GIFFRE
France
Votre guide : THOMAS DEBRAY
Activité : Randonnée
Nombre de participants : 5 min - 8 max
Dates :
Du 12-09-2025 au 16-09-2025
Durée : 5 jours
840 €
Loop itinerary / 5 days, 4 nights / 5 days hiking
60km et 4900m of elevation gain in total
DAY 1 - Meeting and hike to Refuge de Sales
This Haute Route des Fiz starts in Plaine Joux ! From here already, the view on the Mont Blanc is stunning.
The day will starts with an easy downhill trail, that leads to the beautiful, yet steep, climb to Désert de Platé. This first climb of 650m is already very wild and and we might even already see some Bouquetins. Arriving at the stunning Désert of Platé: this is of the largest limestone pavements in Europe. This vast chalky plateau was carved out by glaciers and meltwater.
After a possible stop at the refuge, we continue going up to the Col de Portette, which will offer a wonderful view of the Fiz. After enjoying our lunch, we will be going down toward our goal of the day : the refuge de Sales.
DAY 2 - Refuge de Sales to Refuge de Grenairon
After a good night and breakfast, we will start hiking toward Salvagny : a small village in the Giffre valley. On our way, the wonderful cascades de Sales provide some fresh air and a relaxing atmosphere. Just before arriving to Salvagny, the Cascade du Rouget is here. Named the "queens of the Alps", its 24m height is simply impressive! In Salvagny, it's going to be time for a good lunch.
Now we have a 1000+ climb ahead, toward the Refuge de Grenairon where we will spend the night. The hut offers a beautiful panorama on the Fiz.
DAY 3 - Mont Buet
Today is Mont Buet day: the 3000m peak of the tour! We start on "La cathédrale": a nice rocky ridge. After a flatter part, we climb to the Col du Génévrier. From here, we follow the technical ridge, equipped with cables, to the summit of Mont Buet! The highlight and the highest point of the hike! In case of good weather, taking a breah here for lunch would be amazing. Then we will have a very long downhill to Le Buet village where we will spend the night.
DAY 4 - Refuge de Moëde by Col de Salenton
Day 4 will also be a big day with less km but slightly more elevation gain ! From Le Buet village, the first climb leads to the Col de Salenton. From here, we pretty much see what is ahead. An easy descent and traverse toward the Refuge de Moëde Anterne.
DAY 5 - Lac de Pormenaz and Lac vert - End of the hike
Last day already, let's finish with an easy one. From the hut, we'll be hiking 20min to reach the Lac de Pormenaz. A beautiful and peaceful lake where hikers love to bivouac. Then we go down on a technical trail, with some ladders to reach the Chalet du Souay. From here, an easy wide trail will bring us back to Plaine Joux. A last wonder of the Fiz though: the Lac Vert and its amazing colors that will make you feel like you are in Canada !
This itinerary might be modified due to weather forecast, participants’ physical abilities and/or any reasons that could endanger the group safety. In that particular case, Thomas will be the only person entitled to take that decision.
Level required : This tour is for experienced hikers
You are in good shape, capable of hiking for several days, and able to adapt to all types of terrain. Trails can be tricky, and off-trail hiking is possible. The walking pace is normal, with a few regular breaks.
Please, make sure that you have the capacity to participate. If you have any doubt regarding your physical or technical level feel free to send an email to hallo@floordenil.com.
The price includes : Guiding by Thomas Debray, apprentice mountain leader / 4 nights in a shelter / Full board from dinner on the first evening to the picnic of the last day.
The price does not include : Drinks or snacks at the shelters / warm showers if/when you have to pay for it / first day lunch, / personal insurance / snacks, trip to the starting point and from the ending point (Plaine Joux) / transports.
Accomodation
4 nights in a mountain huts in a dormitory room.
Food
Full board with lunch boxes.
In every hut you will be welcomed by the owner and his staff who will cook diner and breakfast for you.
Meeting point
On Friday 12th september at Passy Plaine Joux at 8 pm at the ski resort car park.
End of the hike on Tuesday 16th september around 4.30pm.
Getting there :
By Train : until the Saint Gervais les Bains - Le Fayet train station and then bus LISHA 85 line to the "Passy Plaine-Joux" stop.
By plane : Nearest international airport : Geneva
By car : From exit 21 on the Autoroute Blanche, follow signs for Passy Plaine Joux.
How to apply : Complete a registration form via the “register for this trip” tab at the top of this page and send us a 30% deposit. The balance is due 30 days before departure. For payment by credit card, please contact us by telephone. If you have a high-end bank card (such as Visa 1er or Mastercard Gold), be aware that it can cover you for cancellation provided you pay for your stay with it upon payment of the deposit).
Feel free to contact SERAC on 0033 (0)4 76 86 46 84 for any question about your registration / insurance and any other information you might need.
Formalities
If you are a british citizen you need a valid passport to travel in France.Insurance for repatriation and hospitalization is needed.
Gear to take
- Clothes
Hiking shoes (boots or trail runners —
whichever you prefer)
Cap*
Warm hat
Category 3 sunglasses
Breathable long- and/or short-sleeved
T-shirts
Fleece and/or down jacket
Waterproof jacket
Hiking trousers or leggings, and/or
hiking shorts
Waterproof trousers
Pair of light gloves
Hiking socks (+ liner socks*)
Flip flops (for inside the huts)
Spare clothes for the evenings,
depending on your preferences*
- Food
2L water bottle (or two smaller ones that
add up to 2L)
Pocketknife*
Snacks for each day (there are no
resupply points on the trail)
Lunch for day 1
- General gear
Backpack (40–50L) + rain cover
Hiking poles
Headlamp
Sunscreen and lip balm
Sleeping bag liner + pillowcase
Toiletry kit (small towel, toothbrush,
etc.), toilet paper, earplugs*
Minimal personal pharmacy (think
blister plasters, basic meds like
painkillers, allergy tablets, etc.)
ID + cash for personal expenses
Quelques photos comme un avant goût du voyage...
SERAC Association de Tourisme - 2 rue de Mortillet - 38000 GRENOBLE
04 76 86 46 84 - contact@serac-montagne.com
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Garantie financière : GROUPAMA police 4000713451/0 - 93 NOISY LE GRAND - R.C.P. : MMA police A3.056.234 - 72 LE MANS SIRET 441 871 787 00046 APE 7911Z - TVA intracommunautaire : FR 8441871787
Médiateur : La Société Médiation Professionnelle – www.mediateur-consommation-smp.fr – 24 rue Albert de Mun, 33000 Bordeaux
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