The highest point of the Les Sybelles ski area is at 2,620 metres and can be reached directly from Saint-Sorlin-Darves. There are also routes to a variety of destinations: a cheese dairy, the hamlet of Prés Plans or high-altitude lakes. Visitors planning a stay can choose their focus, from slopes and walks to longer excursions and historic buildings.
Les Sybelles Ski Area
The Les Sybelles ski area near Saint-Sorlin-Darves offers 310 kilometres of varied slopes for different ability levels. Together with direct access to the highest point, this provides a clear overview of the skiing on offer. The highest point is at 2,620 metres; the slopes span a total of 310 kilometres and cater to different ability levels.
Trails to a Variety of Destinations
Parcours n°1 – Malcrozet starts at the tourist office in the village of Saint-Sorlin-Darves. From there, it leads to Plan du Moulin and returns via a balcony trail above the Arvan River. The route continues along the Chemin de Sorlinette to the cheese dairy, where Beaufort is made. This route therefore links the trail itself with a specific destination in the village.
Parcours n°7 – Trail de l’Etendard follows a different route: it is a double loop that also starts at the tourist office and returns to the village after crossing the high-mountain area. Along the way, the route goes around the Ouillon and the Col de la Croix de Fer. If you are looking for a walk instead of a trail loop, you can choose the Vallée des Prés Plans: it leads to the hamlet of Prés Plans and the 17th-century Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie Chapel.
Another option is the Circuit des petits lacs. It leads from the Col de la Croix de Fer to three small high-altitude lakes and offers views of the Aiguilles d’Arves. Mountain guides are also available for guided themed excursions.
Church, Chapel and Local History
The Église Saint-Saturnin was built in 1603 and extended in 1658. It is part of a group of buildings in Saint-Sorlin-Darves that are protected as a whole: the church, cemetery, former town hall, chapels, crosses and oratory. The site was listed by decree dated 13 April 2004. Particularly striking are the glass-bead funeral crowns, which entirely cover the church facades. The Église Saint-Saturnin is open to the public and can be visited individually or in groups, independently or with a guide.
The Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie Chapel stands in the hamlet of Prés Plans: it was built in 1671 and restored in 1855. The Musée de la Vie d’Autrefois, founded in 1977 by dedicated local residents, offers a different perspective on the village’s history. Its exhibits include a reconstructed old kitchen reflecting the traditional home style of Saint-Sorlin-Darves, traditional costumes, tools and old photographs.
Beaufort and the Cheese Dairy
The Fromagerie Coopérative de la Vallée des Arves makes and sells Beaufort AOC. Free tours offer an insight into how Beaufort is made and aged. They take place Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30; groups can attend by reservation. The time slot and reservation requirement can help you plan a visit, particularly if you want to include the cheese dairy as part of a route.
Getting There and Seasonal Activities
To reach Saint-Sorlin-Darves, take exit No. 27 at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, then follow the signs to the Vallée de l’Arvan. A Sybelles ski bus runs between Saint-Jean-d’Arves and Saint-Sorlin-Darves; service conditions may vary depending on the season and ski pass requirements.
The Plan du Moulin Express chairlift can be used by pedestrians and mountain bikers. Operating dates and weather conditions vary by season. From the summit, trails for pedestrians, mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes are accessible, as are the Croix de Fer bike park and the mountain kart. If you plan to enjoy these activities, check the relevant conditions and operating dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Attignat-Oncin, Queige, Saint-Jean-D'arves, LĂ©pin-Le-Lac, Barberaz, Aiguebelle, Saint-Alban-Leysse, MĂ©ribel-Village
For the full travel overview: Savoie.
