Sentier des Patriotes: walking up to the Glières plateau from Le Petit-Bornand (Glières-Val-de-Borne)

The Sentier des Patriotes (Patriots' Trail) links the village directly with the Glières plateau. It starts from the church car park in Le Petit-Bornand, about twenty metres from the campsite's pitches: it is the only way up to the plateau without a car, and one of the most meaningful hikes in the valley.

A trail of remembrance

The trail honours the people of the valley who died for helping the Glières maquis fighters in 1944. For that support and the reprisals that followed, the municipality of Le Petit-Bornand was awarded the Croix de guerre. On 1 April 1944, a wave of arrests hit Le Petit-Bornand and Entremont, targeting those who had helped the maquis.

The route

The trail first crosses Les Lignières, then climbs through Les Meffins and Les Feuillits, in the forest. It passes the locality of Outan, at around 1,380 m, then close to the Refuge de Spée, before reaching the plateau near Le Petit Bois and the Col des Glières. Allow for about 900 m of ascent: the tourist office gives 940 m, the IGN profile of the official track a little less.

Who is it for?

The tourist office rates the trail "very difficult" and keeps it for experienced walkers. The return trip takes a long day. With children, just walk the first section to Les Lignières, or drive up to the plateau and do the almost flat discovery trail.

Walking up only

To walk up only, arrange for someone to collect you by car at the Col des Glières, about ten kilometres by road from the village. At the top, the National Monument to the Resistance and the "Mémoire du maquis" visitor centre are close to the car park.

Before you go

Dogs on a lead: there are herds and livestock guardian dogs in the pastures. Take water, a warm layer and the official GPX track, and turn back if a storm is forecast. Out of season, snow can linger on the upper part of the trail.