Halfway between the villages of Samoëns and Morzine, two jewels of Haute-Savoie cherished by mountain lovers, lies a pass still largely unknown to the general public. Its name may mean nothing to those who do not frequent the summits… and yet, the col de Joux Plane hides one of the most beautiful panoramas of the French Alps. A spectacular road, a rare silence, a perched lake, and a Mont Blanc appearing around a bend: welcome to another world.
A peaceful alpine road, off the tourist routes
The col de Joux Plane leads nowhere, except to wonder. It does not serve any major ski area, no cable cars or commercial zones, which makes it a mountain pass that has remained wild. And that is precisely what makes it so precious.
The ascent can be made from Samoëns, via a winding road that climbs through the forest before opening onto vast pastures. In summer, you’ll see more cows than cars. The calm is striking, almost unsettling. It’s a breath of fresh air, far from crowds and noise.
An unobstructed view of the giants of the Alps
Upon reaching the summit, at 1,691 meters altitude, it is a visual shock. The Mont Blanc massif unveils itself in all its grandeur. At your feet, a small high-altitude lake with slate-reflecting waters. All around, the sharp peaks of the Haut-Giffre, the Dents Blanches, the Pointe Percée, the Aravis ridges. A genuine balcony suspended over the Alps, where clouds play with the summits.
When the sky is clear, one could stay for hours admiring this natural scene without artifice, just paced by the wind and the flight of a raptor in the sky.
A legendary place for cyclists
The col de Joux Plane is a feared and respected climb. Repeatedly ascended during the Tour de France, it is considered one of the most difficult of the Grande Boucle. From Samoëns, it stretches 11.6 kilometers at an average gradient above 8%, with sections flirting with 11%.
For two-wheel enthusiasts, it is a mythical challenge, but also a playground of rare beauty. The reward matches the effort: a summit far from the crowds, bathed in light, with only the sound of nature.
Family walks and flowered alpine pastures
But you don’t need to be an experienced cyclist to enjoy the place. The pass is also an excellent starting point for easy hikes, accessible to families. Several trails wind around the lake and lead to natural viewpoints from where one can glimpse, in the distance, Lake Geneva or the Chablais plateaus.
In spring, the alpine pastures are covered with flowers, crocuses, gentians, and anemones. In autumn, the low light sets the peaks ablaze. And in every season, the pass breathes freedom.
A personal impression
I discovered the col de Joux Plane almost by chance, on a beautiful July day, leaving Morzine to escape the summer crowds. That day, the sky was a clear blue, the grasses waved in the wind, and Mont Blanc stood, motionless and pure, at the back of the canvas. I walked alone around the lake. I breathed. I listened to the silence. And I understood that some places don’t need to be well known to be unforgettable.
The col de Joux Plane is an unknown natural gem, perfect for lovers of calm, wide-open spaces, and grandiose panoramas. It offers an authentic alternative to the overcrowded tourist sites of the region. Whether you are a cyclist, hiker, or simple contemplative, this pass could well become your best-kept secret of the Alps.
