In summer, Valloire’s hiking trails between mountain pastures, famous mountain passes and alpine panoramas take centre stage; in winter, cross-country and downhill skiing shape the range of activities on offer. Free shuttle buses connect the village with its hamlets via eight routes in both summer and winter. Check current routes and timetables before your trip—the connections are a helpful guide when planning activities and getting around locally.
Summer hikes between mountain passes and a lake
In summer, Valloire offers a 14,000-hectare hiking area with walking trails. They range from the Col du Télégraphe at 1,556 metres to the Col du Galibier at 2,642 metres, passing through a landscape of mountain pastures and alpine panoramas. For a specific natural attraction, Lac des Cerces offers views of the Grand Galibier and the Aiguilles d’Arves. The hike there is considered accessible for most visitors; however, weather and trail conditions can affect access.
For orientation, the route from Valloire follows Route 902 towards the Col du Galibier, passing the hamlet of Bonnenuit, to the free Plan Lachat car park. In summer, some shuttle buses serve Plan Lachat; check the current operating days in advance. The Buvette du Galibier is also on the route to Lac des Cerces. This refreshment stop is known for its fresh-fruit tarts, but opening times and availability are seasonal.
Cross-country and downhill skiing in winter
Valloire’s well-maintained cross-country ski trail network caters to beginners and experienced skiers alike. It includes routes for both classic and skate skiing. This lets you choose the technique that suits you, without combining the two styles into a single route. Snow conditions and trail grooming vary by season.
For downhill skiing, the Galibier-Thabor ski area offers 160 kilometres of skiing across five slopes. Cross-country and downhill skiing are therefore different options for a winter stay: one network is described in terms of technique and experience, the other in terms of size and slopes. Check seasonal conditions before your trip.
Baroque church and chapels in Valloire
The Eglise baroque Notre Dame de l’Assomption is an example of 17th-century Savoyard Baroque and was consecrated in 1682. Its interior can be explored through specific details, including a high altar retable, a choir vault decorated with plaster stucco, side altarpieces, altar paintings by the Dufour family and frescoes in the nave.
The chapels are also part of the village’s cultural character: Valloire comprises 17 hamlets, each with its own chapel. Visitors interested in regional architecture can thus view the church and the chapels scattered across the hamlets as different aspects of the cultural heritage.
Fort du Télégraphe: history and seasonal access
Fort du Télégraphe was built between 1885 and 1893 on the site of a relay station for the optical Chappe telegraph on the imperial Paris–Milan line. The fort’s history is therefore closely tied to the former telegraph link. From the car park at the Col du Télégraphe, it can be reached via a small road in about ten minutes; local conditions may affect the walk.
The fort is open to visitors only in summer, as part of guided tours. These are offered by Guides du Patrimoine Savoie-Mont-Blanc and FACIM. Check the current programme before your trip if you would like to plan a visit.
Straw and hay sculptures near Les Verneys
The straw and hay sculptures are located on the Route des Grandes Alpes, at the edge of the hamlet of Les Verneys between the centre of Valloire and the Galibier. They remain on display until All Saints’ Day; the exact annual programme may change. In summer, you can reach the site by shuttle or on foot via a hiking trail, a 40-minute walk from the centre. Free parking is available nearby. Check the current operating days for the shuttle service.
Valloire offers different sides to a stay: summer trails and alpine scenery, winter cross-country and downhill skiing, as well as churches, chapels and seasonal sculptures. The eight shuttle routes connect the village with its hamlets beyond any single activity; current timetables help you plan how to get around during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Levassaix, Saint-Jean-De-Chevelu, Montalbert, Les Avanchers Valmorel, Grésy-Sur-Aix, Cohennoz, Modane, Les Coches.
Return to the regional travel overview: Savoie.
