"Au Fil du Giffre" trail on horseback

A revitalizing walk, full of surprises, along a mountain river which, depending on the weather and seasons, can either be calm and tranquil or rough and fast-flowing. Discover the delights of the Giffre mountains, at your own pace, on foot, bicycle or horseback, with family and friends, away from cars and motor traffic.

Taninges - La Rivière Enverse Section: set off along the "Au fil du Giffre" trail,
to the Chartreuse de Mélan monastery and its sculpture park. This impressively, well-preserved building was constructed in 1285 by Béatrice de Faucigny. Today it is owned by the Haute-Savoie Department and its 3-hectare grounds are home to a number of contemporary, monumental sculptures. The path then takes you along the river Giffre where you can follow an Art and Nature Trail to explore the pristine, natural surroundings.
This trail, which is constantly evolving, was set up by the "Artistes en herbe" association and features both semi-permanent and temporary artworks.
The route then continues along the Lac des Vernays, ending up in "Les Bois" hamlet.

Morillon - Verchaix - Samoëns section: after a long ride through woodlands, you'll reach the ultimate leisure and recreational site: Lac Bleu in Morillon and then 7 kilometres further on, Les Lacs aux Dames, both of which offer a wide range of fun activities! These places are ideal for both relaxation and thrill-seeking activities. At Lac Bleu - whose name is derived from the magical shades of blue that contrast with the green of the surrounding peaks - you can go swimming, treetop climbing, horseback riding, ride a pump track or play a game of crazy golf. In short, there are a whole range of activities to enjoy with family or friends. Les Lacs aux Dames in Samoens is another remarkable place where you can walk, go fishing, explore, run or try out some of the organized activities on offer including: treetop climbing, tennis, disc golf, swimming, paragliding etc. After crossing the R’biolle walkway, you’ll pass under the Grand Massif Express cable car used in winter to access the Grand Massif ski area. After the Clévieux walkway, there are 2 options available to you: either carry on along the Giffre (GR5) through the woods, or take the path bordering the agricultural plain where you'll enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Criou and Buet. Both trails end up at the Pont du Perret.

Sixt Fer à Cheval section: after an uphill section through the hamlet of Perret, you’ll reach the Tines gorges where you can stop to watch rafting and other white-water sports. If you wish, you can cross the Tines walkway, by the car park, to reach to Rochers des Tines, a popular climbing spot in the Giffre Mountains, with routes for all levels. If you head back to the path leading to the Tines view point, you’ll see the ancient railway tracks that once connected Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and Annemasse. The closed tunnel that is also visible is now used as a maturing cellar by the neighbouring farm. Continue through the delightful village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and then follow signs for the hamlet of Vivier until you reach the Cirque du Fer à Cheval. This important Haute Savoie site takes its name (Fer-à-cheval = horseshoe) from the shape of the cliffs which resembles an open-air amphitheatre. It is the biggest mountain cirque in the Alps. It impressive, vertical cliffs boast numerous waterfalls which vary in number throughout the season. The site is currently applying for "Grand Site de France," status.