Around Abondance, hiking has the taste of terroir. The trails climb from the village towards the pastures where the Abondance cows graze, towards the Chablais summits and the passes that open onto the valley and Switzerland. It’s authentic, preserved mid-mountain, where you meet high-altitude farms and dairies — hiking and cheese tell the same story.
Where to walk
From the village and the hamlets, family walks cross the valley and its pastures. Climbing, the trails reach the Chablais ridges, the border passes and summits such as the Cornettes de Bise (towards La Chapelle-d’Abondance). The pasture farms, active in summer, punctuate the routes: a chance for a cheese stop. Seasoned walkers link passes towards Switzerland and high-altitude lakes.
Booking
The trails are free to access. For a guided outing — wildlife, plants, reading the pastoral landscape — call on the valley’s mountain leaders. Respect the herds and the guard dogs (patous) that protect the pastures.
Good to know
Season. June to September, when the pastures are active.
Level. From the valley walk (easy) to the passes and summits (a committing day): for everyone.
Pastoralism. Abondance cows and guard dogs (patous) on the pastures: skirt the herds calmly.
Gear. Walking shoes, water, a windbreaker; ID for the passes towards Switzerland.
Also worth seeing in Abondance
Round it out with the abbey and Abondance cheese. Back to the destination: Abondance.