Goat Village to Col de Bassachaux hike near Morzine

By July 25, 2014Latest News

goat village view towards lake montriond  

Hike from the Montriond Goat Village to Col de Bassachaux and back via Chaux Fleurie/ walk down

If you are looking for a nice summer hike this weekend around Morzine then read on…

A few weeks ago we wanted to go for a good couple of hours walk not too far from Morzine with our dog Bungle. We had a look at our walking map for some inspiration and planned to go somewhere within the Portes du Soleil in the hope of incorporating one or two of the chairlifts into the route. We have Multipasses for the whole season so need to get some use out of them, however a one way or return trip on the lifts are very reasonably priced. We remembered a couple of years ago walking to the Col de Bassachaux from the top of the Chaux Fleurie chair and that it was a lovely hike back down
abundance cow in mountain pasture
This time we decided to do the hike in reverse. We drove to the ‘goat village’ at Les Lindarets and parked. First we walked up through the goat village which is only around 15 minute drive from Morzine and well worth a look. Strangely our usually confident golden retriever seemed more afraid of the goats than they were of him! We let Bungle have a quick swim in the river near the restaurants and ski lifts at the Lindarets bowl. We then set off back down through the goat village for our hike.

To find the start of the route you need to walk through the parking area that is on the left as you drive up through the restaurants of the little hamlet. At the end of the car park there is a gravel track leading slightly down hill. There is a signpost for Lac Montriond, Col de Bassachaux and a couple of other places. From the start you will get great views down the valley towards Lac Montriond and Morzine. Continue up this track for approximately 40 minutes until you reach a narrow walking path which heads into farm land. There is a small chalet uphill to the left. It is signposted all the way for the Col de Bassachaux. Continue along this path until it splits. Take the left hand fork which doubles back towards the Col.

After another 10minutes or so you will reach the Col de Bassachaux. There is a large, very popular restaurant here and the road which comes up from Pre la Joux in Chatel. There are plenty or walking paths heading off from this direction but you want to head through the car park to the lower right hand side of the restaurant. Here you will see another footpath sign saying ‘Sentier de Fantasticable’. Follow along this track (part of the popular GR5 walking route). This is now a flat track that opens out to incredible views across to Mosettes, Switzerland and Avoriaz. After a couple of hundred meters the path takes a left to continue uphill to the ridge at the top of the Chaux Fleurie lift that separates the Chatel and Avoriaz ski areas. Or continue straight on to walk down: see below.

Tip: before heading up the hill to the left, continue straight on for 100m then take a left up to a small farm. Here you can buy Abondance cheese direct from the farmer. You will need to turn back on yourself to take the same track that will now be on your right. 
Abondance cow near goat village
Continue to the top of the Chaux Fleurie lift and then ride back to the bottom. You will need to make sure you have your pass before starting the walk. There is a lift pass sales office in the Lindarets bowl just above the goat village. Or you can purchase in Morzine or Les Gets at the lift pass offices or tourist offices. Once you dismount the chairlift you will be in the Lindarets bowl and will just need to walk back down through the goat village to your car.

If you would rather not take the lift down or are doing this hike outside of the summer lift opening times (end of June to end of August) then it is possible to walk back to the car. Instead of turning left from the flat track as above, you can continue straight on along the GR5. The track will then cross the mountain bike VTT trail BEWARE! Bikers come down very fast so watch out! You can from here either continue straight on along the GR5 into Switzerland or take sharp right turn to walk down the cross country bike trail back towards Les Lindarets. DO NOT take the downhill VTT trail! It is incredibly dangerous and signposted. However we have watched on many occasions as seemingly oblivious walkers amble down this Black rated trail. It is not only dangerous for the walkers but to the riders too.

The walk will take aroun 2.5 hrs total including a lunch stop. If like us you will be taking a canine friend on this hike then please make sure you carry enough water from them as there are no real streams/ rivers or ponds on this route. Also be aware of the farm animals in the Alpine pastures and keep your dog on a lead where necessary. 

We will let you know of more local hikes in the future as we discover them, happy hiking!