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Combe noire Waterfall
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Combe noire Waterfall
Les Contamines-Montjoie

Combe noire Waterfall

Flora
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In the forest, along the waterside, and following history.
Along the water and through history, this forest trail immerses visitors in the atmosphere of mountain forests punctuated by the freshness of tumultuous torrents. A walk ending with a breathtaking view of the Combe Noire waterfall.

7 points of interest

  • The roman route

    More than a touristic itinerary, the roman route was one of the main ways of crossing the Alps during Antiquity!
    Before the Roman invasion, Val-Montjoie was home to Ceutrons, a Celtic tribe practicing livestock breeding. For their cheese production, they imported salt from Moutiers via the Col du Bonhomme mountain pass. They participated in the establishment of these routes leading to Italy, which were taken by the Romans during the invasion of the Alps.
    Observe the section of Rochassets, it was carved in the rocks in order to create a passage for the charriots!
  • Flora

    The bogs at la Rosière

    On your left are located the bogs of La Rosière, but be careful, admire them from the trail because these are fragile habitats with high biodiversity!

    Originating from the ice age, this wetland was first a depression eroded by the glacier in which the melting ice stagneted. It’s a paradise for carnivorous plants such as Alpine Butterwort or the Round-leaved Sundew...
  • Flora

    The round-leaf Sundew

    It is a small carnivorous plant that lives in peat bogs, environments offering few nutrients. Don't worry, it feeds only on insects, which it traps and digests thanks to a sticky substance produced by the red hairs covering its leaves.

    It is called "Rossolis or Sundew" because of the scintillation of this substance in the sunlight.

    This species is fragile and protected, please do not touch it !
  • Small patrimony

    The roman bridge

    Also called "Pont de la Téna", this structure dates back to Roman times! It is located on the ancient strategic route which made it than possible to reach the valley of la Tarentaise and Italy directly from Les Contamines.

    This route, which has become the GR5 since, is a popular tourist destination.

    The bridge overlooks the gorges of Bont Nant.

    Admire the natural pools that the torrent has shaped slowly but surely!

  • Hay meadows at la Laya

    Once mowed and grazed, these natural meadows have slowly evolved into forest since all pastoral activity was abandoned. Shrubs and spruces have gradually colonized these old meadows. This encroachment of open habitats is threatening for certain species such as Golden Oats, appreciated by herds, or Alpine automn Colchic.
    Since 2014, the Nature Reserve has carried out brush clearing and later season mowing in order to restore this environment for autumn grazing.
  • Flora

    The Alpine autumn Crocus

    It's the end of summer... It's during this season that the Alpine autumn Crocus flowers. Its name refers to Colchis in Greece, the homeland to the enchantress Medea.

    This plant contains a very toxic alkaloid: colchicine. According to alchemists, this substance, used in very low doses, would cure rheumatism and acute flares of gout.
  • Geology

    The waterfall of Combe noire

    Take a break on this bridge and enjoy the cool spray from the Combe Noire waterfall. Can you imagine that the glacier of Tré-la-Tête reached this exact location in 1870! Since then, it has lost a few hundred meters but you can still feel its presence through the torrential river which formed impressive sculptures called "giant's pots" by a deafening eroding process of the rock !

Description

From the Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park:
  1. Cross the footbridge over the torrent to reach the track.
  2. Stay on the main track following the torrent upstream.
  3. Stay on the GR and take the ancient roman route which rises in front of you.
  4. Stay on the route and cross the "Pont romain".
  5. Turn left in the direction of "la Laya" - "Tré la tête".
  6. Turn left to access the Combe Noire waterfall.
  7. You have arrived. The return is by the same route.
  • Departure : Parking « Notre Dame de la Gorge », Les Contamines-Montjoie
  • Arrival : Parking Notre Dame de la Gorge, les Contamines Montjoie
  • Towns crossed : Les Contamines-Montjoie

Altimetric profile

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.
Impacted practices:
Aerial, , Land, Vertical
Contact:
Asters - Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Haute-Savoie
contact@cen-haute-savoie.org

Recommandations

Always be careful and plan ahead when hiking. Asters, CEN 74 can not be held responsible for the occurrence of an accident or any inconvenience on this itinerary.

Transport

Shuttles from the center of the village of Contamines-Montjoie (from the end of June to the beginning of September).

Access and parking

Go to Contamines-Montjoie (74170). Cross the village and stay on Route de Notre-Dame de la Gorge (D902) for 2 kilometers until you reach the large parking of Notre-Dame de la Gorge located on your right.

Parking :

Parking Notre Dame de la Gorge

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