La Pierre à Laya
Duration: 2.5 hours circular walk
Climb: 170 metres
Grade: Family/easy
From the Crèche follow the Blue Arrow signposted path, taking you right after the skate park and next to the swimming pool and tennis courts. Follow the winding route down into a clearing, marked Le Lay.
At a group of signs follow the route for Arâches, taking you down through a forest, until you can see the first buildings in Arâches and follow signs to Arâches. You’ll pass a superb farmhouse after which you’ll turn left, marked “Les Carroz – 1h20” to cross a field.
Just after the incline, continue briefly, then turn right and carry on straight ahead. You will now see Pointe d’Areu. Continue straight on, and take a left at the sign, leading you to a path on the left marked "Pierre à Laya".
Through a forest, you will return to the path. When you reach the signpost you can either carry straight on or follow a lesser path off to the right (but be careful of the cliffs) to take up a great view. Carry on, below the embankment to rejoin the path off to the left through a field, straight on and then take the marked right.
Now take the second path on the left, maked “Les Tavaillons”, head straight on towards “Le Serveray” and past a no entry sign. The path takes you around a football pitch until you reach a water butt where you’ll turn right to get back to the village centre.
Flaine Lake
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Climb: 400m
Grade: Easy/Intermediate
The walk starts from near “Les Feux” which is arrived at by driving along the Flaine road for 1.6km, turning right onto the road to "Les Feux" and parking after 400m.
From here there is a beautiful view of l'Arbaron (1953 m), Pointe d'Areu (2478 m), the 4 Têtes and Croisse-Baulet (2236m).
Follow the track, with climbing rocks to the left, past an old coal mine. Continue on and over the l'Epine stream. Follow through the hamlet of les Chavonnes until you get to the hamlet of la Colonnaz. As you reach the hamlet take the footpath signposted in red and white GR 96 on your left, climbing steeply after a few metres.
When you reach a house and water trough (Frête pass) follow the path to the left of the trough. The path narrows in several places, but there are handrails for safety, and this takes you to a crossroad (Col de Cou).
It’s well worth taking the 15 minute detour along the path to the right to the Flaine lake.
To return go back to the crossroads and take the right hand path heading down to Plaine Joux, with fantastic view and other points of interest.
Carrying on (with ruins to you left) for several metres, then take the signposted path taking you next to a stone wall.
Go left along the path under the "Atout Carreau" gîte, following the direction Les Carroz, over the L'Epine stream bridge and then straight on until you arrive at the main road.
Follow the road down for 700m until you reach a bin shelter, take a left onto "la route des Feux" and follow back to the car park.