Winter hike to Tête du Danay & Espace Nordique des Confins
During winter 2020, I visited another ski resort near Annecy. This time, I headed to La Clusaz, at the foot of the Aravis mountains: The resort is mostly known for its alpine skiing slopes but is also has extensive nordic skiing tracks, as well as prepared tracks for snowshoes and walking. I walked on those tracks and slightly beyond in order to go up to Tête du Danay, where I had already been during spring. I also walked around Espace Nordique des Confins.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML, download large map):
In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus (line 62) to La Clusaz. I walked to Le Bossonnet in the village in order to board a shuttle to Les Confins, one of the 2 areas for nordic skiing in the resort (the other is Beauregard). Once at Les Confins, I visited the chapel then walked towards the summit of Tête du Danay using the prepared tracks. I had brought my snowshoes with me but they were not really needed so I didn’t use them. The prepared tracks stopped before the summit but the trail after that was well trodden so it was easy to follow. Once at the summit, there was a great view on the surrounding mountains. After getting down to Les Confins, I went on a walk around the nordic skiing resort until it was time for the shuttle to get back to the village.
Above, waiting for the shuttle at Le Bossonnet.
Above, Pointe Percée at Espace Nordique des Confins.
Above, Chapelle des Confins.
Above, on the way to Tête du Danay.
Above. sunrise.
Above, nordic skiing track.
Above, Aravis.
Above, towards Col de la Croix Fry.
Above, Tête du Danay.
Above, Roc des Tours and Aiguille Verte.
Above, after that there was no prepared tracks but the trail is quite popular so it was easy to follow.
Above, Mont Lachat de Châtillon in the Grand-Bornand ski resort.
Above, summit cross in view.
Above, at the summit of Tête du Danay.
Above, Pointe Percée.
Above, Mont Lachat de Châtillon.
Above, Mont Lachat de Thônes.
Above, Col des Annes.
Above, Le Grand-Bornand.
Above, towards La Tournette.
Above, L’Étale.
Above, Bauges mountains in the distance.
Above, Pic de Jallouvre.
Above, on the way down.
Above, summit cross of Tête du Danay.
Above, Col de l’Oulettaz.
Above, Pointe de Beauregard and La Tournette.
Above, Roc des Arces.
Above, Les Confins.
Above, Col de l’Oulettaz.
Above, military.
Above, towards Pointe de Beauregard.
Above, Tête du Danay.
Above, Pointe de Grand Combe and Pointe d’Almet.
Above, horse sleigh.
Above, back at the village.
Above, Le Nom, an affluent of the Fier river.
Above, Pointe de Merdassier.
Above, Aiguille des Calvaires seen from the bus station.
Above, bus station at Parking du Salon des Dames.