Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R111
Salvagny » Refuge de Moëde-Anterne
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6h10 |
15.2 km
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1581 m
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346 m
A varied stage that starts on the plain, then passing the collet d’Anterne pass to reach the mineral environment of the Anterne mountain, a listed nature reserve. The stage destination is the Moëde-Anterne hut, situated just below the Anterne pass which offers a beautiful panorama over the Mont Blanc massif.
Leave the village of Salvagny on the alternative route to the GR® to reach the Pont de Sales bridge. Cross the stream and follow the route for a few metres, then turn left onto a trail that climbs up through the forest (campsite on the banks of the stream). Wade across the stream further down from the road bridge (be careful if it is raining!) Continue along the trail to reach the Rouget waterfall (959m) – Listed site. Cutting across the bends in the route, the GR® trail keeps climbing, passing the Fardelay chalets (1,039m) and opening onto the car park at the end (1,180m)- Snack-bar. Continue the uphill course through woodland and after a few bends, on a level with the Pleureuse and Sauffraz waterfalls (1,450m) (listed site), at the crossing of the paths, turn left (north east), and head uphill on the north slope of the Pointe de Sales peak to reach the Collet d’Anterne pass (1,900m) (vantage point). The trail descends markedly, crossing a stream (foot-bridge) (1,748m) and marshy terrain. The signposting is sometimes difficult to spot; head towards the chalets in sight. In misty conditions, walk along the right-hand bank of the stream to arrive at the Anterne chalets (1,808m)- Alfred Wills Hut. Continue towards the south, cross the Anterne stream and numerous little rivulets to arrive on the eastern banks of Anterne lake (2,060m)- Listed site. From the lake, the trail heads southward (snow in springtime), climbs up along a little stream and then arrives as the Anterne pass (2,257m) (vantage point). The trail descends (south west) to reach a crossroads. Take the left-hand trail (north east) to reach the Moëde hut (1,996m). (Gilbert Blatter, Codérando 74)
Natural and cultural heritage
On leaving Pont-de-Sales, the climb is made easier by the prospect of the view of the Rouget waterfall, the “Queen of the Alps” and one of the biggest in the French Alps, which at 90m in height is very impressive. Follow the course of the Giffre-des-Fonts stream, during which you can also go and admire the no less spectacular Fonts cirque, leaning against the Fer-à-Cheval cirque and likewise forming part of the Sixt-Passy nature reserve. As the climb continues, the trail passes the traditional alpine pasture chalets of the Lignon Valley before branching off on a level with the Sauffaz and Pleureuse waterfalls, registered sites, as is the nearby Sales waterfall. The Anterne pass is the first panoramic viewpoint in the Mont Blanc range. Not far from it however, take care not to miss the climb up to the little cross, from where there is a lovely view over the Anterne waterfalls and the Fonts cirque below. On Anterne mountain, after a passage in a marshy peat zone, you will pass in front of the Alfred Wills hut, named after the man who discovered the Sixt valley. Herds still graze here at almost 2,000 metres in altitude. Continue the ascent across a grassy landscape, passing Anterne lake and walking below the majestic Fiz rocks, a paradise for large birds of prey such as the bearded vulture, to arrive between the Pointe d’Anterne and the Tête de Moëde peaks at the Anterne pass, from where an exceptional panorama of the Mont Blanc range can be enjoyed. During the descent back down to the hut in the Anterne pass, you may notice the contrast between the geology of the Fiz crystalline range and the sedimentary massif of the Pormenaz mountain. This geological difference makes it possible to explain not only the wealth of landscape but also both the wide range of floral species (gentians, martagon and St Bruno lilies, anemones and orchids) and the wildlife diversity (ibexes, chamois, mountain hares, black grouse, royal eagles, bearded vultures, wallcreepers, marmots, etc.). (Nicolas Aubertin, Gilles Chappaz, Grande Traversée des Alpes)
Du Léman au Mont Blanc - Tour des Dents du Midi - Réf. 504 ~ Fédération Française de Randonnée (ISBN 2-85699-807-0)
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Comments
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Berta - 2018-07-22
Das Refuge Anterne haben wir sehr angenehm erlebt, sehr hilfsbereiter Hüttenwirt, hat sich bemüht für uns eine Unterkunft für die folgende Nacht zu organisieren da das Refuge la Flegere ausgebucht war. Zum Abendessen gab es Käsefondue. Lager + Halbpension 49 €
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The Refuge Anterne we have experienced very pleasant, very helpful landlord, has made an effort for us to arrange an accommodation for the following night as the Refuge la Flegere was fully booked. For dinner there was cheese fondue. Camp + half board 49 €
Berta - 2018-07-22
Das Refuge Anterne haben wir sehr angenehm erlebt, sehr hilfsbereiter Hüttenwirt, hat sich bemüht für uns eine Unterkunft für die folgende Nacht zu organisieren da das Refuge la Flegere ausgebucht war. Zum Abendessen gab es Käsefondue. Lager + Halbpension 49 €
Automatic translation
[Google]
The Refuge Anterne we have experienced very pleasant, very helpful landlord, has made an effort for us to arrange an accommodation for the following night as the Refuge la Flegere was fully booked. For dinner there was cheese fondue. Camp + half board 49 €
Im Aufstieg von Salvagny zur Cascade du Rouget weichen Wegweiser und GPS-Track voneinander ab. Den Weg auf dem GPS-Track konnten wir nicht finden, also folgten wir der Beschilderung zum Wasserfall.
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Ascent from Salvagny to Cascade du Rouget, signposts and GPS track diverge. We could not find the way on the GPS track, so we followed the signs to the waterfall.
Refuge Moede Anterne to Col anterne : 40mins going up
Col Anterne - refuge alfred Willis : 2h flat & down
Alfred Willis down to Le lignon very muddy in July 2013 : 1h15
Le lignon - Samoens about 3h going down
Mountain Girl - 2011-11-27
I had a MASSIVE ham & cheese omelet at the Chalets d'Anterne. It was worth the long wait.
Mountain Girl - 2011-11-27
I found the Refuge de Moede-Anterne to be both overcrowded and overpriced. Staff was friendly, but it's still overpriced. Views are grand from here. Be prepared for crowds, as you're now officially on the TMB circuit.
Janek - 2011-07-21
The time to go from Lignon to the waterfalls is overestimated - it takes only about 30 minutes.
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.