The Lazy Labrador provides direct walking access to the Massif du Giffre, a delightful range of mountains with superb views of the Mont Blanc range to the south east. There are mountain huts open in the summer that can provide suitable stop overs for lunches or overnight.

From the Samoëns and Sixte valleys there a numerous walks from road heads to high mountain pastures and peaks. A delight are the waterfalls and rushy streams that are a particular feature of the region.

‘Walking in the Haute Savoie: North’ by Cicerone describes many of the routes and a second volume, ‘Walking in the Haute Savoie: South’, describes other walking in close by ranges. These guide books are recommended.

The Massif de Giffre has excellent ski touring, racketing and winter mountaineering. In summer, there is accessible rock climbing on local crags and summer mountaineering on the higher Giffre peaks. There is an excellent Via Ferrata at Sixte. Chamonix is an hours drive away providing access to numerous possibilities at all times of year.

The rafting and inflatable canoeing in the Samoëns valley on the Giffre is excellent and suitable for beginners and more experienced paddlers.

Bureau des Guides Samoëns
guidesamoens.free.fr
Place de l’Autogare, Samoens, France
Tel: +33 04 50 34 43 12
FAX: +33 04 50 34 17 22

Rafting, inflatable canoe, hydro-speed and white water canoe

Ecolorado Haut Giffre Rafting
www.ecolorado-rafting.com
La Gliere, 74340 Samoens, France
Tel: +33 04 50 34 45 26
FAX: +33 04 50 90 19 75

Chamonix – mountaineering, rock climbing, ski touring & mountain walking

Compagnie Des Guides De Chamonix
www.guides-chamonix.com
190 Place de l’Eglise, 74400 Chamonix, France
Tel: +33 4 5053 90 88
FAX: +33 4 5053 48 04

Heli-skiing

Mont Blanc Helicopteres
www.montblanc-helicopteres.fr
Tel: +33 4 50 92 78 21
FAX: +33 4 50 38 01 01