Hiking - Loop from Notre-Dame-du-Pré to discover the hamlet of Hauteville
From the family-friendly resort of Notre-Dame-Du-Pré, the route guides hikers through the alpine pastures. The loop is pleasant and varied: you'll enjoy the lovely views of le Quermoz, the hamlet of Hauteville and its vestiges of the past, and the cascade de la Chaille where the tumultuous waters of the Nant Gelé plunge.
In winter, allow 5 hours to complete the entire hike on snowshoes.
Start from the main village of Notre-Dame-du-Pré, at the car park in the village square.
Head towards the church and follow the road that continues to its left, until you reach the first waterfall (approx. 500 m).
Follow the road to the waymarked path for Hauteville (approx. 500 m).
Continue on this path through the forest to the hamlet of Hauteville (Approx. 45 min).
In Hauteville, walk past the old chapel and continue towards the fountain next to the communal bread oven. On the opposite slope, you can see the hamlet of Montfort above Moûtiers.
Continue the hike on the same path above the fountain.
When leaving Hauteville, turn left at the hamlet's old quarry (approx. 40 m after the ruins).
Follow the small path that winds above the quarry, then continue on this larch-lined path up to the Pré Communal road a little further up (Approx. 10 min).
At the junction with the Pré Communal road, there are two options to reach this small, three-house hamlet:
- The easier route (+ 20 min)
Take the road that goes up, bearing left; it will cross the Pré Communal stream and lead to the hamlet after three hairpin bends.
- The more difficult route (approx. 10 min)
Continue straight ahead from the path you were on; it climbs directly to the hamlet. A steeper but much shorter alternative!
From Pré Communal, follow the uphill road for 10 min and leave it about 50 metres before the second hairpin bend.
Follow the path towards La Lèche, then Bois Renaud, and continue descending on the same path to the Chaille waterfall.
From there, there are 2 options:
+ The shorter route through the forest via the place known as "Les Foyères" (45 min from the village):
Take the path on your left before the bridge and follow it down to the forest road. Then turn right onto the Hauteville path and return to Notre-Dame-du-Pré.
+ The longer route:
After the bridge, continue on the forest path that will lead you towards the alpine pastures. Then pass under the ski lift cables.
At this point, there are two options:
1st option: Continue straight on the path until you reach the tarmac road, then follow it downhill to Notre-Dame-du-Pré (Approx. 30 min)
2nd option:
Follow the small path that runs alongside the ski lift cables via this old, steeper path that descends to the village (Approx. 15 min).
Throughout the descent to the main village, you will enjoy an exceptional view over the Tarentaise and Basse Tarentaise valleys. If the weather is clear, you will be able to see the summit of Mont Blanc and its eternal snows!