How To Get One Of The Best Views In The Alps – Pointe des Mossettes
Pointe des Mossettes undoubtedly has one of the best views in the Alps and sits right on the border of France and Switzerland. At 2277 metres above sea level, it’s the highest accessible point in the Portes du Soleil.
Needless to say, with that sort of altitude and the incredible landscape that surrounds the peak, it’s a simply sensational view. Add to this that the summit is accessed by a chair lift, it’s the perfect destination for a day out in the mountains.
Pointe des Mossettes is easily accessible from Morzine and there are two great ways to get there. One way requires a car (and a driver confident with narrow twisty roads), and the other utilises the local busses and chairlifts.
How To Get To Pointe des Mossettes by Car
The easiest option involves a quick car journey followed by a short hike. The drive from Morzine is about twenty minutes and is very scenic. Following the road down the valley you’ll quickly reach our lovely neighbouring village of Montriond. Here you’ll take a right turn in the centre of the village, take a right at the roundabout then follow the road all the way up past the stunning Lac de Montriond.
The lake is perfect for a quick stop as the views are beautiful and there are a whole host of activities to do there. Carrying on past the lake you’ll continue to ascend up towards the small hamlet of Ardent. Here there is a small fork in the road and you’ll want to take the left fork onto the narrower road.
The road twists and turns its way up through beautiful alpine pastures to the hamlet of Les Lindarets, otherwise known as the goat village. It’s easy to understand why as you will undoubtedly begin to encounter hordes of goats on the road as you reach the hamlet so proceed with caution here. Pass through the hamlet and continue along the road for another couple of hundred meters until you see a large gravel car park and some restaurants on a plateau on your left.
This is where you’ll leave the car and continue on foot. Taking the track that heads directly up the valley from the carpark will take you directly up to the base station of the Mossettes chairlift. The walk is consistently uphill but at a gentle gradient and you will reach a split in the path where you’ll see a sign for the lift and waterfall pointing you down the right hand fork.
The walk from the carpark to the lift is 1.5kms and doable in about half an hour. When you reach the lift station it’s worth walking just a few hundred meters past it to the wonderful Cascade des Brochaux.
Once you’ve taken in the waterfall jump on the Mossettes lift which will effortlessly whisk you up to the summit. The chairlift ride is incredibly scenic and peaceful as you glide high above the valley up towards the summit. As you get off of the chair lift you will be greeted by one of the best views in the Alps with 360 degrees of awesome alpine scenery.
How To Get To Pointe des Mossettes By Bus and Chair Lift
It is also possible to get to Pointe des Mossettes from Morzine without a car. It does require a little more effort but it will be a great adventure and will allow you to really get to see the area.
The first stage of the journey requires catching a bus up to the Prodain telepherique station. The bus goes from the Marie in the centre of the village and just a short walk from The Farmhouse. The “A” bus will take you up through the village and takes about 15 minutes to reach the Prodains Express lift.
During the summer months the Prodains lift runs every half an hour and will take you up to Avoriaz. You’ll now need to work your way up through the village heading for the top of the Prolays lift which comes up the other side of the valley from Lindarets. You’ll want to head up along the main street heading for the bus drop off point then take a right along the track that heads uphill to the lift station.
Once you reach the Prolays lift you have a choice of taking another chair lift down to Linderets then following the same walk as described above in the driving section. The second option is to continue on foot following the track on your right that descends down following the route of the winter ski pistes. You’ll want to follow the walking signs for Cascade des Brochaux and you’ll reach the waterfall and lift station within about an hour of descending.
Before setting off on either route it is important to check the closing time of the lifts and the last bus back from Prodains (if you’ve taken the bus) and ensure you have left enough time for your return journey. Setting off earlier rather than later is advisable for both options.
What To Do At Pointe des Mossettes
The first thing to do when you get off the lift is to simply breathe and take in one of the best views in the Alps. The great thing about the summit is that it offers you 360 degree views of the alps. The little track up the grassy rise in front of the lift station will take you to the highest point with the best views.
From here you can look across two countries, Switzerland in front of you and France to your rear. The Impressive Dents du Midi mountain range spans across in front of you (Swiss side) with their imposing rock faces and it is possible on a clear day to see Lake Geneva if you turn around.
Pointe des Mossettes is the perfect spot for a high altitude picnic or if you’re after some refreshment the Cookie Cafe is on hand to cater for your needs with a range of food and drink available. What could be better than some light refreshment and one of the best views in the Alps.
If you’re still looking for that perfect place to stay so that you can explore Pointe des Mossettes and all that Morzine has to offer then why not take a look at The Farmhouse. Our boutique hotel is located right at the heart of the village and occupies the oldest building in Morzine. We offer a unique hotel experience and strive to make your stay as special as the landscape that surrounds us.
