The Fer-à-Cheval cirque is one of the largest mountain cirques in the Alps, and one of the most spectacular. A few minutes from the village of Sixt, at the end of the road, an arc of cliffs nearly 5 km long unfolds over several hundred metres of height, crowned by summits close to 3,000 m. It’s the site that made the Giffre valley’s name, classified as a great site.
The spectacle of the waterfalls
The cirque’s magic is its waterfalls. In spring and early summer, the snowmelt sends dozens of falls down the walls, sometimes more than thirty at once. The roar of the water and the mist rising from the cliffs make the visit unforgettable. By late summer, many dry up: for the great spectacle, come in June.
The walk to the Bout du Monde
An easy, almost flat path follows the back of the cirque, along the Giffre, to the spot known as the Bout du Monde (“End of the World”), where the cliffs close in. It’s a walk open to all, families included; allow one to two hours round trip depending on your pace. For seasoned hikers, altitude routes climb towards the refuges and summits of the reserve.
Booking
The site is free to access (a paid car park serves the cirque entrance in season). For guided hikes, wildlife watching or altitude routes, contact the guides’ office and the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval tourist office.
Good to know
When to come? In June for the waterfalls at their peak; early morning in high summer to avoid crowds and heat.
With the family. The back path to the Bout du Monde suits children; bring good shoes, the path remains a mountain trail.
Respect the site. You’re in a nature reserve: stay on the trails, don’t approach the wildlife, take your litter with you.
Parking. The cirque car park fills quickly in summer; come early or use the shuttles in high season.
See also in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
Push deeper into the nature reserve on a hike, or cool off with whitewater on the Giffre. Back to the destination: Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.