Alex lies at the foot of the Dents de Lanfon (1,824 m) and the Dent du Cruet (1,833 m). The hiking routes differ considerably in duration, elevation gain and difficulty. They also take in forests, an alpine pasture overlooking Lake Annecy, and sweeping mountain views from Aulp-riant Dessus. If you are looking for accommodation in Alex, these landscapes and hiking experiences offer concrete points to consider when choosing your destination.

Hiking routes with different profiles

The Circuit de la cascade de Montviard loop is suitable for beginners. It starts at the Villards-Dessus car park, takes two hours and has an elevation gain of 236 m. By contrast, the route to the Chalet de la Rochette is a four-hour loop for experienced hikers, with an elevation gain of 762 m. It starts at the village square; from there, the trail climbs through the forest to the Rochette Dessous alpine pasture. The Chalet de la Rochette is privately owned.

The route to the Chalet de l’Aulp-Riant is classified as an expert route, with an elevation gain of 949 m. The ascent takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. The hike starts at the car park by the Villard-Dessus square and follows an out-and-back route. When planning your time, note the difference in the stated durations: for this route, the ascent duration is given, while the two- and four-hour durations refer to the other hikes. Elevation gain and route format also help you compare the hikes meaningfully.

Forest, spring blossoms and views

The Circuit de la cascade de Montviard runs mostly through forest. In spring, the meadows in the hamlet of Villards-Dessus are covered with daffodils. These seasonal blooms and the forest sections offer two distinct impressions of the landscape; the flowers are specifically a springtime feature.

From the Rochette Dessous alpine pasture, you can see Lake Annecy. A wider panorama awaits from Aulp-riant Dessus: it stretches across Lake Annecy and the Aravis to the Bauges and the wild side of the Tournette. You can also join the GR 96 at Aulp-riant Dessus. These two viewpoints combine views of the lake with different surrounding landscapes; they are located in different parts of the hiking areas described.

History and goat’s cheese from Alex

The Château d’Arenthon is a historic fortified house near Alex. It overlooked the exit of the Col de Bluffy and the Fier Valley. Following its restoration, it housed the Fondation d’Art Contemporain from 2001 to 2014. The château is now privately owned by a company and is not open to the public. It is therefore not a public sightseeing destination, but it adds a historical dimension to the area.

Another local specialty is goat’s cheese from Alex, sold directly at the Chèvrerie d’Alex “Les Chamoisées”. For planning your trip, this means you can choose between hikes with different levels of difficulty and landscapes, as well as a local product. The château remains a historic landmark with no public access.

Getting there and choosing accommodation

Alex is accessible by bus on line Y62/63 from the Aravis resorts, Thônes or Annecy. Check the line’s timetable before travelling. When planning your hike, also take note of the relevant starting point: the Circuit de la cascade de Montviard loop starts at the Villards-Dessus car park, the route to the Chalet de la Rochette starts at the village square, and the route to the Chalet de l’Aulp-Riant starts at the car park by the Villard-Dessus square. These are different starting points.

When searching for hotels in Alex, first decide what you want your stay to focus on: a shorter hike, a longer loop, an expert route, or the area’s landscapes and cultural heritage. When comparing hikes, consider not only the stated durations, but also the elevation gain, route format and indicated difficulty. This will help you choose accommodation to suit the focus of your trip, without treating the three routes as equivalent outings.

Discover more destinations: La Clusaz, Arâches-La-Frasse, Gaillard, Neydens, Scionzier, Menthonnex-en-Bornes, Cluses, Montagny-Les-Lanches.

For the regional travel overview: Haute-Savoie.