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Plateau des Glières Discovery Trail

Sentier d'interprétation historique sur le Plateau des Glières, haut lieu de la Résistance française - 11 panneaux + monument national Gilioli 1973.

View on mapOfficial site
Historical interpretation trail - Plateau des Glières Discovery Trail at Thorens-Glières, Haute-Savoie - 4 km loop, 11 panels, very easy
At a glance
Type
Sentier d'interprétation historique
Access
Libre · Gratuit
Price
Gratuit toute l'année
Duration
1 h 30
Best season
Mai-octobre (route fermée hiver)
Parking
Gratuit au départ
Animals
Acceptés tenus en laisse
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Partiellement (chemins en terre)
Town
Thorens-Glières

Official source →

What is Plateau des Glières Discovery Trail

The Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières is an interpretation trail dedicated to one of the most important sites of the French Resistance. In March 1944, the plateau was the scene of the stand of 465 maquisards from the Maquis des Glières, who faced Vichy forces and then the German army. 105 fighters were killed in action or executed; the plateau has been a national symbol ever since.

Eleven information panels run along the route, set in the alpine pastures at around 1,400 m altitude, and lead to the national monument designed by sculptor Émile Gilioli, inaugurated in 1973. The plateau also hosts the annual 'Glières Citizenship Days' and a yearly torchlight tribute in March.

Free entry all year. Difficulty: very easy. Distance: 4 km loop, about 1 h 30 walking time. Best season: May to October (the plateau is snow-bound in winter and turned over to Nordic skiing). Free parking at the visitor centre, with information point and seasonal exhibition.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address
Start: Thorens-Glières (74570) · 4 km loop · 11 interpretive panels View on map
Coordinates
45.9667° N · 6.3° E
Altitude
≈ 1,440 m (Plateau des Glières)
Opening hours
FREE ACCESS 24/7, all year round, on the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières. Recommended season: May-October (road closed in winter). Off-season conditions vary. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Prices
FREE ENTRY on the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières for everyone, all year round. No ticketing. Refuges and accommodation are paid if used as a stopover (€50-90/night half-board depending on refuge). Verified on 24 May 2026.
Booking
No booking needed for the trail itself on the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières. Booking refuges/accommodation is recommended from January-April for the summer season, depending on refuge. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at the start of the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières in Thorens-Glières. Capacity varies by season. Additional parking in the village if summer capacity is reached.
Animals
Dogs allowed on a leash on the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières. Take care in protected areas (nature reserves) and on technical sections.
Accessibility
Reduced mobility access: Partially (dirt paths) for the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières. Check conditions on site. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Time needed
1 h 30 for the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières depending on fitness. Length 4 km loop · 11 interpretive panels. Shorter variants possible depending on route.
Contact
Local tourist office + Haute-Savoie departmental council, hautesavoie.fr. FFRandonnée Haute-Savoie for GR routes. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Access

How to get there

By car

Thorens-Glières (74570) is accessible by car from Annecy/Geneva/Sallanches depending on where you're coming from. Free parking at the start of the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières. Follow local signage.

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Public transport

Public transport depending on seasonal route to Thorens-Glières. Léman Express + Région Haute-Savoie coaches + Mont-Blanc Express depending on area. Check seasonal timetables.

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By bike

Cycling is recommended on greenways where the route is a greenway. For walking trails, cycling is not recommended on the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières.

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Nearest stops

  • PAS DU ROC · SIBRA · 276 m
  • PAS DU ROC · SIBRA · 317 m

Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)

Parking

Gratuit au départ

Parking checked on 2026-06-15 · © les contributeurs d'OpenStreetMap sous licence ODbL

When to visit

When to visit

The Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières is best walked mainly during the May-October season (road closed in winter). Off-season: conditions vary depending on altitude. A KEY SITE OF THE FRENCH RESISTANCE - Battle of the Glières, March 1944. Gilioli national monument, 1973, inaugurated by Malraux. 11 interpretive panels from the departmental council along the loop. Route type: historical interpretive trail, 4 km loop · 11 interpretive panels, very easy.
Events : Local events depending on the commune of Thorens-Glières. Follow the local tourist office and hautesavoie.fr for the calendar of events linked to the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières.
Winter

Winter season

Winter access window
Open (cleared road)
Winter infrastructure
Snowshoeing
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

Photos

Gallery

Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is access to the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières paid?

No. Access to the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières is free all year round for everyone. No ticketing, no toll. Route open at all times, subject to season and weather conditions.

How long is the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières?

The Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières is a 4 km loop · 11 interpretive panels. Average duration 1 h 30 depending on fitness. Very easy difficulty. Route type: historical interpretive trail.

What are the opening hours of the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières?

The Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières is freely accessible 24/7 all year round. Recommended season May-October (road closed in winter). Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.

How difficult is the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières?

The Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières has a very easy difficulty rating. Length 4 km loop · 11 interpretive panels. Duration 1 h 30. Altitude ≈ 1,440 m (Plateau des Glières). Suited to hikers depending on fitness.

Is the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Reduced mobility access: Partially (dirt paths) for the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières. Check conditions on site. For an accessible alternative, see the Voie verte du Lac d'Annecy or Sentier des Roselières Saint-Jorioz if this one is not accessible.

When can you do the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières?

Recommended season for the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières: May-October (road closed in winter). Off-season conditions vary depending on altitude and snow cover. Check conditions with the local tourist office before setting out.

How do you get to the Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières?

The Sentier de découverte du Plateau des Glières starts from Thorens-Glières (74570). A car is recommended to reach the start. Free parking at the starting points. Public transport depending on route and season.

Sources

Sources & verification

Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.

Published 24 mai 2026·Updated 18/07/26

DirectionsOfficial site