The 7-kilometre Boucle de Tencovaz and the 5-kilometre Circuit de la Ménardière both lead to Col du Granier, but along routes described differently. Together with the Tour des Entremonts loop hike, cave bear history and artisan raw-milk cheese production, these themes show different sides of Entremont-Le-Vieux. For planning your stay, this gives you a clear first choice: should you focus on seasonal trails, winter activities, or culture and local production?

Hiking and snowshoe trails

The Tour des Entremonts starts in Désert d’Entremont and is a loop hike. Its route passes through numerous picturesque hamlets in the Entremonts Valley. Its starting point and loop format give it a different planning framework from the snowshoe trails, whose descriptions name Col du Granier as their destination. If you want to focus on a route through the hamlets while hiking, this gives you a specific point of reference to help choose.

Station du Granier is the starting point for two marked snowshoe trails to Col du Granier. Two named snowshoe routes can also be distinguished by length and route: La Boucle de Tencovaz is 7 km long and goes via the hamlet of Tencovaz to the Col. Le Circuit de la Ménardière is 5 km long, runs along the mountainside between hamlets of Entremont-le-Vieux, and also leads to Col du Granier. The different lengths and route descriptions help you compare the options. Conditions on these seasonal trails can vary; take this into account when planning.

Winter activities in Désert d’Entremont

The Le Désert d’Entremont alpine ski area has 3 km of pistes. This makes alpine skiing a distinct option alongside the snowshoe trails. Skis, snowshoes and sledges are available for hire on site in Le Désert d’Entremont. Since this is a seasonal offering and availability may vary, it is best to check on equipment hire for your visit. This lets you choose between pistes, snowshoes and sledges based on the activity you want.

Cave bear history and wayside oratory

The Musée de l’Ours des Cavernes presents a cave used by cave bears for hibernation over thousands of years. It focuses on a long natural and local history: the cave is understood through its former use as a place to hibernate. This is a different way to experience Entremont-Le-Vieux from its outdoor trails and seasonal activities.

Another historical detail is the Oratoire de la Babeau in Entremont-le-Vieux. This stone wayside oratory was built in 1873. As a small structure by the path, it belongs to a different period from the cave, whose history stretches back thousands of years. Together, the museum and oratory offer two distinct themes for exploring natural and architectural history, without needing to combine them into a single outing.

Raw-milk cheese and local production

The Coopérative laitière Ici en Chartreuse was established and renovated in 1935 to continue the artisan production of raw-milk cheese. Its connection to cheese production adds a local craft perspective to the trails and historic structures. Visitors interested in how traditional production began and continues will find this a distinct theme to consider when planning their trip.

For your stay, you can first consider your travel dates and what you want to focus on: the snowshoe trails and alpine ski area are seasonal options, while the loop hike, local history and cheese production appeal to other interests.

Discover more destinations: Le Pontet, Saint-Avre, Méribel-Village, Pugny-Chatenod, La Ravoire, Le Bois, Saint-Baldoph, Montailleur

For the broader travel guide: Savoie.