Hiking trails on Sulens, Savoyard specialties and historic buildings give a stay in Les Clefs a variety of highlights. Col de Plan Bois lies at 1,299 m within the municipality of Les Clefs, at the foot of Sulens. In summer, the pass is the starting point for numerous hikes. This gives you concrete questions to consider when planning: Should you focus on a hike to the summit, a bike ride or regional discoveries?
Hiking at Col de Plan Bois and Sulens
Trails on Sulens pass through forests and alpine pastures; routes reach the summit and its orientation table. One option with specific figures is the round-trip hike from Col de Plan Bois to the summit of Sulens: it is 8.7 km long, involves 540 metres of elevation gain and takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes. This makes it possible to plan a specific time frame for this outing.
Another hiking option is the Chalets du Sulens route. It starts at Col de Plan Bois in Les Clefs and follows the same route back. This gives you a choice of different destinations and types of tour: the round-trip hike to the summit, with stated distances and elevation gain, or the Chalets du Sulens route, returning along the same path. The Col is a clearly defined starting point for summer hikes on Sulens.
Cycling and other activities
Two cycling routes are also described with specific figures. The “Aller cyclo: Col de Plan Bois” cycling route is 6 km long and has 600 metres of elevation gain. The cycling climb to Col de Plan Bois via Le Veuillet from Les Clefs is 9 km long and has 672 metres of elevation gain. Mountain bikers and e-bike riders can also cycle around Sulens.
Other activities offer their own highlights: At the Champfroid stream, there is a stretch for fly-fishing for trout. In Belchamp, you can hear the stag’s rutting call in autumn. Snowshoe hikes and ski tours are undertaken on Sulens from the first snowfall. If you are planning these winter activities, check the current conditions and guidance for each activity in advance.
Savoyard specialties and seasonal ice cream
Local cuisine includes Auberge de Plan Bois, where potato fritters and other Savoyard specialties are served. The Auberge also offers Pavé de Sulens at the Col. This lets you combine a stop for local food with a named regional product, without implying a particular length of stay.
Ferme Lait’able des Frangins is a dedicated destination for sweet treats. You can sample ice cream flavours there with a view of La Tournette. The seasonal flavours are made using the milk of the farm’s cows, herbs from the garden, and fruit sourced directly from growers or gathered in the wild. As the selection is seasonal, the offerings may vary throughout the year.
Church and historic building
The history of the buildings also offers specific points of interest for a cultural focus. The church in Les Clefs is in the Baroque style and was consecrated in 1833. The Pont dit Romain crosses the Fier, dates from the 15th century and is listed as a historic monument in France. These are two distinct aspects: the church’s date and architectural style, and the bridge’s history and heritage status.
Whether you plan to spend your time on trails on Sulens, cycling, seasonal nature experiences or regional specialties, Les Clefs offers several different themes to help you decide on your trip. The stated route distances help you assess a specific hike or bike ride; the cuisine and cultural heritage offer other highlights.
Discover more destinations: Annecy, Saint-Ferréol, La Baume, Cervens, Ville-En-Sallaz, Menthonnex-en-Bornes, La Tour, Combloux
For the regional travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
