- French
An up-trip on the Foilleuse chairlift takes the sting out of this hike, which offers spectacular views from ridge leading to the Pointe de l'Au, and a bucolic return through the idyllic They Valley.
Visitor NotificationThe Foilleuse chairlift will be closed throughout the summer of 2023 due to the construction of the new gondola lift.
This hike is for those who prefer hiking downhill as it starts with a fun ride on the La Foilleuse chairlift in Morgins (timetables and prices on www.pds-ch.ch).
From the chairlift, walk past the Là Ò restaurant and follow the ridge to your right which climbs gently to a summit at 1,901 metres before descending slightly towards the Pertuis Chétrain * crossing.
From here, continue straight, passing near the Bochasses chairlift arrival station. The small, marked path begins a little below the ridge, then rises to meet it. To reach the summit of Pointe de l’Au at 2,152 metres, the highest point of your hike, you can choose between a narrow path which climbs to the right of a third chairlift or along the wide path further down below.
Descend the ridge by a path which joins the Col des Portes du Soleil at 1,950 metres **.
Here the trail widens and provides a view of the Fontaines Blanches waterfalls as you head toward the friendly Tovassière alpine restaurant (you can buy some of the famous alpine cheese produced on the alp). From here, a path descends straight down to reach Sassey. The walk then continues along the Vièze (take a small detour at the Fontaines Jaunes), passing by the Cantine de They alpine restaurant and the Sentier des Ponts, on the way to Morgins.
* Short variation : 2h (altitude difference: positive 150 metres / negative 650m)
In Pertuis Chétrain, you can shorten the walk by going directly down towards Bonavau and the Cantine de They.
** Long variation : +45 min. :
At the Col Portes du Soleil, climb up Col Portes de l’Hiver and descend via Lac Vert / Refuge de Chésery then take the direction Lac de Chésery / Fontaines Blanches.