Hiking Trail: Hillside Circuit

Gain some height on the hillsides above Sallanches! Following a mix of quiet paths and country roads, make your way to Burzier with Mont Blanc as your backdrop. On the way back, discover the hidden treasures of the hillsides, including three chapels, before returning to Château des Rubins.

Starting from Château des Rubins, this loop takes you up into the hillsides above Sallanches. Following quiet country roads and trails, the route winds through a rural landscape dotted with farms and hamlets, with beautiful views opening out towards Mont Blanc.

The route gradually reaches the Burzier area, a gateway to the Mayères and Doran mountain pastures. The return follows a different route through the hillsides, offering a more intimate discovery of this area. Along the way, several chapels bear witness to local history and traditions, while the farms and old houses reflect the rural character of the heights above Sallanches.

Back at Château des Rubins, take the opportunity to visit this emblematic site dedicated to the mountains and their heritage. You can also extend your walk with a visit to Saint-Jacques Collegiate Church, a listed Historic Monument.

Start: Château des Rubins car park

1. Walk down to the church square.

2. Turn left onto Route de Saint-Joseph and follow it to the junction with Route de la Provence.

3. Turn left, then take Chemin de Bellegarde. You will find the Torche trail, which runs alongside the houses before joining Route de Saint-Roch.

4. Cross the road. To the right of the waste containers, take the signposted trail that climbs towards the hamlet of La Torche.

5. Follow the signposts carefully towards Burzier.

6. At several points, the route briefly follows the road instead of the trail. Follow the road for a short distance until you rejoin the trail further on.

7. At the hamlet of Les Murets, take care not to continue towards the houses: a sign indicates that you should not go that way. Follow the road through two bends, then, after a long straight section, at the third bend take the trail on the right, alongside a stone wall.

8. Pass a farm and continue until you reach the vicinity of the Burzier road.

9. The route arrives just below the Burzier bus stop.

10. From here, you can reach the starting points of two of Sallanches’ must-do hikes, the Mayères and Doran mountain pastures, by continuing along the road to the Burzier car park.

11. To continue the Hillside Circuit, stay on the loop and take the alternative return route.

12. Turn left and follow the road towards the hamlet of Les Houches. A little further uphill, you can see the hamlet’s chapel.

13. Then head back down to the main road and take the trail on the left, next to a small iron cross, following the signs for “Sallanches – Château des Rubins”.

14. You will pass the Chapelle de la Pierre and its former school.

15. At the bottom of the trail, walk a short distance uphill along the road to the right, then rejoin the trail further on as it descends to the left.

16. Continue through the hillsides, passing farms and houses. Depending on the season, you may sometimes see sheep or a donkey grazing alongside the trail.

17. At the bottom of the trail, you reach the hamlet of Mernex. Continue right, passing a water wheel on your left, then follow the path alongside the houses to Chemin de Monargue.

18. You then reach Route de Doran. Follow it downhill to the Trois Tours crossroads, a fine viewpoint over Sallanches’ heritage: Tour de Disonche on the left, Tour de la Frasse on the right and, in the centre, the bell tower of Saint-Jacques Collegiate Church.

19. At the crossroads, turn right towards Route de Lévaud.

20. On your left, the Chapelle de l’Immaculée Conception offers a lovely place to pause and admire the view of Mont Blanc.

21. Near the chapel, take the small trail leading to Château des Rubins.

22. Back at Château des Rubins, we recommend a visit to discover more about the mountains and their heritage.

23. You can also visit Saint-Jacques Collegiate Church independently; it is a listed Historic Monument. The chapels are only open to visitors on request, but you can ask the Tourist Office for further information.