Paid
Golf du Belvédère
Saint-Martin-Bellevue
Modern tiered practice range, putting green, practice bunker and 9-hole course at Saint-Martin-Bellevue (15 min from Annecy). Bucket of balls from €3.
Free · Open access
Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc
A historical trail on the Plateau des Glières via the Pas du Roc - cliff-cut steps carved by Spanish Republican refugees in 1830.
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
At a glance
Type
Historical trail - Plateau des Glières
Access
Free access · Free
Price
Free all year round
Duration
3-4 h
Best season
May-October
Parking
Free at the start
Animals
Allowed on a leash
Stroller / Reduced mobility
NO (alpine trail)
Town
Thorens-Glières
Wheelchair access
Not accessible Source: Le Plateau des Glières (site officiel)
What is Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc
The Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc is a historical trail on the Plateau des Glières with a remarkable double memory. The cliff steps along the route were cut in 1830 by Spanish republican refugees who had fled to Haute-Savoie after the collapse of the Spanish liberal revolution of 1820-1823, a moving chapter of 19th-century European political migration.
The trail leads to the Pas du Roc at 1,800 m altitude, a strategic passage cut into the cliff face of the plateau. The same path then became a key crossing point for the Maquis des Glières in 1944, used by Resistance fighters to access and resupply the plateau. The route is therefore both a memorial to political refuge and to the French Resistance.
Free entry all year. Difficulty: moderate. Distance: 8 km loop, 600 m elevation gain, 3-4 h walking time. Best season: May to October. Free parking at the Plateau des Glières car park. Not suitable for wheelchairs (mountain trail).
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Start: Thorens-Glières (74570) · 8 km loop · 600 m elevation gain View on map
Coordinates
45.9833° N · 6.3° E
Altitude
1,440 m (Plateau) to 1,800 m (Pas du Roc)
Opening hours
FREE ACCESS 24/7, all year round, on the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc. Recommended season: May-October. Off-season conditions vary. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Prices
FREE ENTRY on the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc 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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc. 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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc 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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc. Take care in protected areas (nature reserves) and on technical sections.
Accessibility
Reduced mobility access: NO (alpine trail) for the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc. Check conditions on site. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Time needed
3-4 h for the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc depending on fitness. Length 8 km loop · 600 m elevation gain. 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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc. Follow local signage.
Open in MapsPublic 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.
Open in MapsBy bike
Cycling is recommended on greenways where the route is a greenway. For walking trails, cycling is not recommended on the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
The Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc is best walked mainly during the May-October season. Off-season: conditions vary depending on altitude. CLIFF-CUT STEPS CARVED IN 1830 by Spanish Republican refugees - a story of 19th-century European political migration. A tribute to the Plateau des Glières. Route type: historical trail - Plateau des Glières, 8 km loop · 600 m elevation gain, moderate.
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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Alpine panorama
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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc paid?
No. Access to the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc 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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc?
The Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc is an 8 km loop · 600 m elevation gain. Average duration 3-4 h depending on fitness. Moderate difficulty. Route type: historical trail - Plateau des Glières.
What are the opening hours of the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc?
The Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc is freely accessible 24/7 all year round. Recommended season May-October. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
How difficult is the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc?
The Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc has a moderate difficulty rating. Length 8 km loop · 600 m elevation gain. Duration 3-4 h. Altitude 1,440 m (Plateau) to 1,800 m (Pas du Roc). Suited to hikers depending on fitness.
Is the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Reduced mobility access: NO (alpine trail) for the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc. 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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc?
Recommended season for the Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc: May-October. 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 des Espagnols / Pas du Roc?
The Sentier des Espagnols / Pas du Roc 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.
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Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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