Magland

From the Arve Valley to Flaine

Magland lies in Haute-Savoie, in the Arve Valley between Cluses and Sallanches. The commune is made up of several large hamlets, including Gravin, Balme and Oëx, and it climbs high into the mountains: the resort of Flaine lies partly within its boundaries.

It's the cliffs that define the landscape. They rise above the village to the east and are riddled with caves, where excavations have revealed very early human settlement. The Balme cave was already drawing curious travellers in the 15th century. Opposite the cemetery, the Orlier waterfall plunges down the cliff face.

A legend and nine chapels

Magland also has its own legend, which the commune tells along its educational trail: that of the giant Anthée, who fed on stones, and of the fairy sleeping beneath the Orlier waterfall, who eventually turned him into a spruce tree.

There are nine rural chapels scattered across the villages. The oldest, in Oëx, dates from 1680. The Bellegarde tower, meanwhile, is a reminder of the castle that once stood near the Colonnaz gorge.

Reading animal tracks

Around Magland, Valérie Dubois Delplanque, a mountain leader, takes you On the trail of mountain animals. For 3 hours, you look for footprints, tracks and other signs of life left by wild animals, then play detective to work out which species live there. The outing is designed for children and adults alike.

For more ideas, see the Hiking page or the outings from neighbouring Sallanches.

Your questions about Magland

Where do we meet for this outing? The meeting point given on the listing is in Sallanches, not Magland. Write to Valérie to find out the exact location.

Is the outing suitable for children? Yes, it's open from age 6 and to all levels.