Child of the country, in love with the valley and connoisseur of all its small treasures, Dominique Thovex is the Mr. Heritage of La Clusaz. To say that it is in old pots that the best soups are made would not be flattering. However, he embodies the wisdom of age while remaining young in his head. Between history, hikes to the four corners of the mountains, gourmet breaks and views of the village, he shares with us his favorite places to discover what makes the charm of the valley.
We can trust him, he knows the resort like the back of his hand. So we gave carte blanche to this hardcore Cluse. Follow the guide!
To start the day well, there is nothing like a beautiful viewpoint on the valley. Accessible to all and without difficulty: I’ll take you to Christ the King! A small hike ideal to contemplate La Clusaz, the Aravis range and the Beauregard massif. It’s not complicated, you can get there by taking the path of the Tour du Village!
The itinerary goes up in direction of the “Espace Aquatique” and then climbs up to join the ecological path. Along the ascent, there are panels presenting the local flora. A few dozen meters up, we are almost there, the last few switchbacks take us out of the shade of the trees and the trail leads to a scree slope in the heart of which stands the Oratory of Christ the King. A wooden sculpture of a Christ wearing a royal crown and not the traditional crown of thorns.
In the early morning, the sun rises behind the Aravis Range and, when the first rays pass the summits, the green of the mountain pastures lights up. From there, you are free to retrace your steps or to continue the hike by exploring the surrounding paths that lead back down to the village.
To the Hameau des Alpes and the old sawmill
If you know how to be attentive, La Clusaz is full of stories. Before being a ski resort, it is above all a village, my village! And to understand the present, you need to know a little bit about the past. That’s why I invite you to go for a walk along the Nom river to learn more about life in the past.
Going up the stream from the village, in the shade of the trees, the path leads us straight to the Hameau des Alpes and the old sawmill. Here, history and culture are one and the same! In an imposing traditional house, skiing and Reblochon cheese are in the spotlight. With tastings, games and outdoor facilities, it’s far from being a boring museum (laughs). A few hours are enough to discover the cultural and patrimonial wealth of La Clusaz. The making of farmhouse Reblochon cheese, the evolution of skiing, the visit of the traditional granaries, the functioning of the communal oven and the old sawmill will have no more secrets for you. I guarantee you that.
Gourmet break and descent to the lake of la Fériaz
For a nice excursion in altitude, I suggest you to climb from the village to the Pointe de Beauregard by taking the gondola of the same name, count about fifteen minutes. Once at the top, you can see the whole valley with a 360 degree view on the whole massif and the neighboring valleys. After having enjoyed the show as long as you want – some people can spend hours there – you go down in direction of La Clusaz following a marked out path which goes along the beginning of the mountain bike tracks.
After having left the hotel-restaurant La Piste Bleue on our left, the descent continues alternating between mountain pastures and forest. It is not rare to find blueberries in the middle of summer here. Don’t expect me to give you my picking spots (laughs), but it’s perfect for a little tasting or to stock up for later!
But let’s get back to our sheep, or rather our cows… The Corbassières farm appears below. Always decorated with flowers and bells, this alpine chalet is recognizable among all. It is the perfect place for a snack at the farm, or even a good traditional meal with delicious cheeses freshly matured on site.
End of the day at the Confins and sunset at the Danay
The Confins plateau is a magical place in all seasons. In summer, this charming little corner of greenery and its lake offer everything you could dream of: a grandiose setting, herds of cattle frolicking in the heart of the pastures, activities and walks for everyone.
There is nothing better at the end of the day to stretch your legs. From the chapel of Confins, after having gone up the parking of the golf, we go down by the path to join the edge of the lake while some go down the tyroliennes above the water. The coolness and the magic of the evening make this one of the most peaceful places in the valley.
And for an even more magnificent sight, the Tête du Danay is only an hour away on foot. From the parking lot, simply follow the signs to the summit. First on an alpine road, then on a path, the climb is continuous, but not difficult. The cross of Danay marks the arrival and, once installed on this inescapable point of view, there is only to take advantage of the last glimmers on the summits of Aravis. Remember to take a small lamp for the descent, because the return will be done little by little in the darkness!
