Discover Montvalezan through its hamlets and trails: around forty hamlets are spread across the area, many of them organised around earlier agricultural activities. Chapels and hiking trails reflect this cultural landscape. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing destinations by their character and conditions: a loop through the hamlets is different from a hike rated difficult or a seasonal offering in La Rosière.
Hamlets, architecture and cultural heritage
The altitude in the Montvalezan area ranges from 850 to 2,900 metres. The hamlets are characterised by stone and timber houses, slate roofs and compact layouts. Several chapels feature Baroque elements typical of Savoyard religious art. The parish complex in Montvalezan provides a specific historical reference point: it includes a tower classified as a Monument historique, built in 1674. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Liesse in Le Villaret houses an altar, an altarpiece and associated furnishings dating from the 18th century.
The Chapelle Saint-Michel in Châtelard is also part of this cultural landscape. It was included in the summer 2026 programme, when chapels in Montvalezan were open to the public from 9 July to 20 August. The Le Chemin des Ecoliers loop passes Saint-Michel and links hamlets, chapels and traditional houses along the route.
Choose hikes by trail character
Le Chemin des Ecoliers is a loop hike through the hamlets, chapels and traditional houses of Montvalezan. The route in La Rosière–Montvalezan is listed as taking 2 hours and 40 minutes and as being of moderate difficulty. Duration and difficulty may vary depending on conditions. The route is listed as open year-round; in winter, check the snow conditions, as snowshoes may be necessary.
Another option is Le Chemin des Bergers: this difficult hike around the Combe des Moulins starts at Plan de l’Arc, passes through Plan Pigeux and Putétruit, and returns to the leisure area at Plan de l’Arc. Its listed duration is 2 hours and 50 minutes; the seasonal window depends on snow conditions. The listed times for the two trails differ by only ten minutes, but their difficulty ratings do not: Ecoliers is moderate, while Bergers is difficult. So when choosing, consider the trail character and conditions as well as the time required.
Seasonal connections and activities
The S80 summer shuttle connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Montvalezan, La Rosière and Col du Petit Saint-Bernard. As this is a seasonal service, check the route and timetable for your travel dates. The Espace San Bernardo also requires seasonal planning: this cross-border ski area links France and Italy, connecting La Rosière with La Thuile via Col du Petit Saint-Bernard. Lift access and operating hours depend on the season.
For 2026, the La Rosière Bike Park is described as having four downhill trails and six enduro and e-bike circuits, with up to 1,200 metres of elevation gain. The selection described also includes a marked route linking France and Italy, open to mountain bikes and e-bikes, with charging stations along the way. Operating details and routes may change, so check them before setting out. This makes it possible to consider cultural trails, seasonal connections and sporting activities as distinct parts of a trip to Montvalezan.
Discover more destinations: La Rosière, Grésy-Sur-Aix, Saint-Avre, Villard-Sur-Doron, Aigueblanche, Valmorel, Valezan, Lanslevillard.
For the wider travel overview: Savoie.
