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Free · Open access

Désert de Platé Trail

Montée du Praz-Coutant au refuge de Platé puis col de la Portette - 6,5 km AR / 870 m D+ - PLUS GRAND LAPIAZ D'EUROPE 1 980 ha site classé 1998.

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Alpine hiking trail - Désert de Platé at Passy, Haute-Savoie - 6.5 km return, 870 m elevation gain, difficult
At a glance
Type
Alpine hiking trail
Access
Open access · Free
Price
Free all year round
Duration
4-5 h
Best season
June-October
Parking
Free at the trailhead
Animals
Allowed on a leash
Stroller / Reduced mobility
NO (alpine trail)
Town
Passy
Wheelchair access
Not accessible Source: Office de Tourisme Cluses Arve & montagnes

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What is Désert de Platé Trail

The Sentier du Désert de Platé, at Passy, leads to what is considered the largest karst pavement (lapiaz) in Europe. The Platé site covers 1,980 hectares of remarkable limestone formations and has been a classified natural site since 1998. The plateau spreads out at over 2,000 m altitude, an open lunar landscape framed by the Mont-Blanc range.

The route climbs from Praz-Coutant to the refuge de Platé at 2,032 m, then continues to the Col de la Portette, covering 6.5 km return and 870 m of elevation gain. The Club Alpin Français refuge is open from June to September and can be used for an overnight stay before exploring the plateau the following day.

Free access all year, refuge stays paid (50-65 EUR half-board). Difficulty: difficult. Distance: 6.5 km return, 4-5 h walking time. Best season: June to October. Not suitable for wheelchairs (high-mountain trail); dogs on leads tolerated.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address
Trailhead: Passy (74190) · 6.5 km round trip · 870 m elevation gain View on map
Coordinates
45.9333° N · 6.7° E
Altitude
1,480 m (Praz-Coutant) to 2,354 m (Col de la Portette)
Opening hours
OPEN ACCESS 24/7, all year round on the Sentier du Désert de Platé. Recommended season: June-October. Off-season conditions vary. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Rates
FREE ENTRY on the Sentier du Désert de Platé for all visitors, all year round. No ticketing. Refuges and accommodation are paid if used as a stopover (50-90 €/night half-board depending on the refuge). Verified on 24 May 2026.
Booking
No booking needed for the trail itself on the Sentier du Désert de Platé. Refuge/accommodation booking in summer season is recommended from January-April depending on the refuge. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at the trailhead of the Sentier du Désert de Platé in Passy. Capacity varies by season. Additional parking in the village if the summer lot is full.
Animals
Dogs allowed on a leash on the Sentier du Désert de Platé. Extra care needed in protected areas (nature reserves) and technical sections.
Accessibility
Reduced mobility access: NO (alpine trail) for the Sentier du Désert de Platé. Check conditions on site. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Duration of visit
4-5 h for the Sentier du Désert de Platé depending on fitness level. Length 6.5 km round trip · 870 m elevation gain. Shorter variants possible depending on route.
Contact
Local tourist office plus Haute-Savoie departmental council hautesavoie.fr. FFRandonnée Haute-Savoie for GR routes. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Access

How to get there

By car

Passy (74190) accessible by car from Annecy/Geneva/Sallanches depending on your starting point. Free parking at the trailhead of the Sentier du Désert de Platé. Follow local signage.

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Public transport

Public transport depending on the seasonal line to Passy. Léman Express plus Haute-Savoie regional coaches plus Mont-Blanc Express depending on the zone. Check seasonal timetables.

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By bike

Cycling recommended on greenways if the route is a greenway type. For pedestrian trails, cycling is not recommended on the Sentier du Désert de Platé.

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Nearest stops

  • Cedres Bleus · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y85 · 306 m
  • Mont Blanc · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y85 · 516 m
  • Plateau d'Assy · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y85 · 800 m

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

When to visit

When to visit

The Sentier du Désert de Platé is mainly walked in the June-October season. Off-season: conditions vary depending on altitude. LARGEST LIMESTONE PAVEMENT IN EUROPE - according to haute-savoie-tourisme.org: 'the Platé site covers a vast area of 1980 hectares. It has been protected as a classified site since 1998.' Spectacular views of Mont-Blanc. Route type: alpine hiking trail, 6.5 km round trip · 870 m elevation gain, difficult.
Events : Local events depending on the commune of Passy. Follow the local tourist office and hautesavoie.fr for the calendar of events linked to the Sentier du Désert de Platé.
Winter

Winter season

Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
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

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is access to the Sentier du Désert de Platé paid?

No. Access to the Sentier du Désert de Platé is free and open all year round to all visitors. No ticketing, no toll. The route is permanently accessible depending on the season and weather conditions.

How long is the Sentier du Désert de Platé?

The Sentier du Désert de Platé is 6.5 km round trip · 870 m elevation gain. Average duration 4-5 h depending on fitness level. Difficulty: difficult. Route type: alpine hiking trail.

What are the opening hours of the Sentier du Désert de Platé?

The Sentier du Désert de Platé is freely accessible 24/7 all year round. Recommended season June-October. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.

How difficult is the Sentier du Désert de Platé?

The Sentier du Désert de Platé is a difficult route. Length 6.5 km round trip · 870 m elevation gain. Duration 4-5 h. Altitude 1,480 m (Praz-Coutant) to 2,354 m (Col de la Portette). Suited to experienced hikers.

Is the Sentier du Désert de Platé accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Reduced mobility access: NO (alpine trail) for the Sentier du Désert de Platé. Check conditions on site. For a reduced-mobility alternative, see the Voie verte du Lac d'Annecy or the Sentier des Roselières in Saint-Jorioz if this route is not accessible.

When can you do the Sentier du Désert de Platé?

Recommended season for the Sentier du Désert de Platé: June-October. Off-season conditions vary depending on altitude and snow cover. Check conditions with the local tourist office before travelling.

How do you get to the Sentier du Désert de Platé?

The Sentier du Désert de Platé starts from Passy (74190). Car access is recommended for the trailhead. Free parking at the trailheads. Public transport depending on the 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

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