Snowshoe itinerary: La Piste Blanche

This walk takes you to the foot of the famous Sardières monolith, a stone sentinel that has stood above the forest for thousands of years. The route alternates between the bright Sardières plateau and peaceful undergrowth.

Description

A walk where nature, geology and the mildness of winter combine to offer
a suspended moment in the mountains.

Additional welcome

Find out about weather conditions and avalanche risk before you set off (weather services, mountain rescue services, professionals, tourist office...).
Equipment and clothing must be adapted to the forecast.
Postpone your activity if the weather forecast is poor. Follow safety instructions and do not venture off the marked routes in winter.

Environments

• Mountain view
• Mountain location
• 10 - 20 min from a train station by car
• Less than 10 minutes from a bus stop on foot

Rates

Free access.

Itinerary

• Distance 7.8km
• Route type LOOP
• Elevation gain 200m
• Negative gradient 200m
• Daily duration 03h00
• Signposted itinerary Yes
• Beaconing accuracy Signposted route no. 9
• Nature of the land Non-groomed itinerary
• Maximum altitude 1640m

Opening period

From 15/12 to 01/04 daily.

Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.

Additional opening

• Subject to favorable weather

• Subject to snow conditions

Location

As hazards may occur at any time on the routes, the GPX tracks provided are not contractual. They are provided for information only. Riders use them at their own risk, depending on their level of technological proficiency and their understanding of the terrain.

Departure possible from the Foyer de ski de fond de Sardières.

Documents

• Snowshoe itinerary: La Piste Blanche_Val-Cenis (pdf)

Animals

Pets allowed : Yes

Pets allowed with supplement : No

Out of respect for wildlife, please keep your dog on a lead.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

• 1/ Leaving the Sardières Nordic chalet, take the road leading up to Le Monolithe. Pass through Sardières Le Lotissement, then follow the Le Monolithe route over the plateau to the crossroads at the entrance to the forest.
  2/ 0 h 20 - At this crossroads, continue on the uphill groomed track to reach Le Monolithe.
  3/ 0 h 35 - At Le Monolithe, turn left onto the groomed trail shared with cross-country skiing. Keep to the side and continue on this wide track for about 3 km to reach the Plan de la Croix parking lot.
  4/ 1 h 40 - From the parking lot, cross the road and turn left onto the track that runs alongside the main road towards Sardières. Continue along this path until you reach the next road crossing.
  5/ 2 h 15 - After crossing the road, take the wide track on the right and follow it to the cross-country ski trail junction. Go straight ahead to join the Piste du Trettet.
  6/ 2 h 25 - At this crossroads, continue towards Sardières up the groomed track back to the plateau, then on to the Passerelle skieurs.
  7/ 2 h 40 - After crossing the footbridge, turn left and follow the groomed pedestrian trail back to the Sardières Nordic Chalet.
  8/ 3 h - Chalet nordique de Sardières .