An easy hike just outside Vanoise National Park
In Val Cenis, this family-friendly hike will introduce you to one of the geological wonders of the Haute Maurienne as you make your way through a variety of landscapes: traditional vernacular architecture, mountain meadows, ski trails, and forest paths.
Starting point: The walk begins at the parking lot of the Sardières Church.
It is accessible by bus and served by the S52 line (from Modane or Val Cenis-Lanslebourg; get off at the “Eglise” stop).
Departing from Sardières, a traditional village in the Maurienne region
It’s a beautiful spring morning just the way we like them: the air is mild, there’s a light breeze, and the azure sky is dotted with just a few thin, wispy clouds—a day full of hope and promise.
Accompanied by my friend Romane, I set off on a short family hike to discover a true gem of our valley: a giant stone standing tall in the middle of the forest, the Sardières Monolith.
The walk begins in the village of the same name, near Saint-Laurent Church , whose pointed bell tower, flanked by four corner spires, stands out sharply against the clear sky.
Sardières boasts a built heritage characteristic of the Haut-Maurienne region, with its old stone walls, slate roofs, and quaint narrow streets.
We pass by a bread oven, a fountain, a small chapel, and even a book box, tucked away in the recess of a porch, sheltered from the elements.
On the facade of a house stands a sundial, a reminder of the Haute Maurienne’s proximity to and certain affinity with the Southern Alps, for here the air is drier and the sky is often clearer than elsewhere in Savoie.
When the sun brings spring to the Alps
As you leave the village, the path climbs toward a grove of pine trees; a few clusters of forget-me-nots, a bright, vivid blue that doesn’t evoke melancholy, are basking in the sun.
We reach an open plateau offering a sweeping view of the surrounding peaks, still cloaked in snow, for spring in the mountains is a season of contrasts. Here, the lush greenery of the valleys meets the immaculate whiteness of the peaks, which the spring sun struggles to free from their winter garb.
A wide farm road winds its way through the meadows, still dotted with the cheerful yellow blossoms of dandelions, while a cuckoo calls out to us from deep within the woods and crickets celebrate the undeniable arrival of summer.
Spring is like a vast symphony of sounds and colors, a cry of rebellion from life itself, an impetuous energy that rises up, bursts through the earth’s shell, and bursts forth defiantly from every direction.
A Closer Look at the Ant Hill
A little further on, we enter the forest, where the atmosphere becomes more hushed. The path unfolds before us without difficulty, winding along a root-strewn dirt trail. The light, filtered through the trees, is less bright, and the melodious song of the birds accompanies us.
Deep in the woods, bathed in a ray of sunlight, stands the dome of an anthill, teeming with the frenzied activity of its countless inhabitants. What an amazing sight it is to watch this seemingly chaotic yet orderly, coherent, and precise bustle! An ant, just as hurried as the others, scurries past Romane’s phone in close-up, carrying its load of plant matter.
A giant menhir standing in the middle of the forest
But now we're getting close to our destination.
We can already make out its gray mass taking shape indistinctly through the gaps between the tree trunks. Then it emerges more clearly, rising like a giant menhir above the trees, firmly anchored to the ground and pointing toward the infinite expanse of the sky. A solitary old man, witness to the ages, as if inhabited by a silent, serene, and stubborn force, the Sardières monolith reveals itself in its entirety before our delighted eyes…
Starting at a crossroads marked by a signpost, a well-maintained trail circles the entire structure. We recommend walking along it to view the monolith from various angles and in the changing light.
At the edge of the log steps, I spot a small pale morel, the quintessential spring mushroom. In the central clearing, a lawn carpeted with cuckoos… No, I’m not referring to the bird I heard a little earlier, but to the common name for the common primrose, a yellow flower that also heralds the return of spring.
I look up at the mineral spire of the monolith, completely exposed on this side, at the top of which a tree—as acrobatic as it is spindly—has managed to grow. From its height of 93 meters, this disproportionate giant seems to crush me, but I immediately reassure myself by remembering that it is only a vague sensation born of a dizzying effect.
Nature, with its untamed beauty and indomitable forces, commands our respect.
Along the Biches Trail, amid heather and the scent of pine
It’s time to leave the stone colossus behind us and continue on our way. After a short stretch along a forest road, we take the Sentier des Biches, which winds its way up the mountainside through a pine forest dotted with heather.
The ground is strewn with pine needles from the surrounding trees, whose resinous scent is wafting through the warm air of this late May morning; with a little imagination, we could almost believe we were in the South.
Once we reach the end of the trail, we make our way back down to Sardières along a wide, rocky path. Before reaching the houses, we take one last moment to enjoy the beautiful view of the snow-capped Mont Cenis massif. We finally arrive at the Church of Saint-Laurent, bathed in the midday sun, where our hike comes to an end.
A fairly easy hike on the calves given its modest elevation gain, but so stimulating for the senses!
A few tips before you go
- Be sure to bring appropriate clothing and shoes (sneakers or walking shoes), some water, your phone, and maybe a camera to capture the walk.
- The Monolith area is located within the Vanoise National Park, which is subject to specific regulations. Please respect the local flora and fauna!
- Dogs are not allowed within the National Park, nor is the use of drones.
Find all the practical information and the route map by visiting this page.
Guide to Family Hikes in Haute Maurienne Vanoise
Walk along the Sculpture Trail in Monolithe Forest
