Les Balcons du Morel - B26

Two departures are possible to complete this loop:
Indeed, it is possible to leave from Valmorel at the departure of the Lanchettes chairlift, from the Doucy station, opposite the Les Terrasses du Morel residence or from the summit of the Celliers gondola.

Departing from Valmorel station, at the foot of the Lanchettes chairlift, the route takes a wide, gently sloping path which crosses a flowery meadow as far as Montolivet. Then the path rises on the left in order to access the Biard plateau (1560m), the highest point of the loop with a beautiful view up to Mont-Blanc. The route continues on the right towards the Doucy station.

Passage near the summit of the Celliers gondola. On your left, a superb panoramic view of the La Lauzière massif awaits you.

Be careful, you will have to be careful in some places because portions of trails are to be shared with mountain bikers (especially at Les Echapeaux and in the Crête de Doucy forest).

Near the Doucy Station swimming pool, you will cross the ski slope and take the small coated road which bypasses it and provides access to the center of the station.

From the center of Doucy station (1,250m), you will follow the road for 300 m towards the hamlet of Chantemerle and turn left on a wide path towards Meiller in order to return to Valmorel. In front of you stands the Black Horse (2,832 m).

Passage to the Granges du Villaret, then to the Meiller (1,150 m), across the slope meadows.

At the end of the forest after Le Meiller, you will take a road section for 300 m.

Passage through the village of Lancheverne. A final portion on a wide agricultural path takes you back to the Valmorel station.

Environment: forest, mountain pasture, slope meadow
Points of interest: Lauzière massif, Mont-Blanc, the Black Horse and Crève-Tête, balcony trail, herds, traditional Savoyard villages
Difficulty: no technical difficulty, route to be shared with mountain bikes between the Biard plateau and the Doucy station.
Total distance: 10.5 km
Total elevation: 450 m
Estimated time: 4h30