Step-by-Step Guide: Starting point: Parking lot on the Frachets plateau in Mont Saxonnex, near the farm. From Frachets (parking lot) to the Croix du Felay: 25 minutes. Continue on foot along the farm road that starts in front of the Frachets farm. The climb is gentle along a wide trail. You’ll cross alpine pastures until you reach the Croix du Felay. From the Croix du Felay to the Col de Cenise: 10 minutes From the Croix, continue along the trail. The vast plateau and the pass come into view, stretching between the Rochers de Leschaux on the right and the Bargy Range on the left. From the Col de Cenise to Les Frachets (parking lot): 30 minutes Return via the same route. For a longer hike: from the Col de Cenise *Les Rochers de Leschaux: 1 hr 5 min (one way) for experienced hikers *Le Jalouvre (for very experienced hikers; exposed section at the Col du Rasoir; unmarked trail): 2 hours 50 minutes (one way) * Lake Lessy (unmarked trail): 1 hour 40 minutes (one way)
The Cenise Plateau stretches from the Bargy Massif to the Rochers de Leschaux, spanning three municipalities and two intermunicipal communities: the municipality of Mont-Saxonnex, located within the Cluses Arve et Montagnes Community of Municipalities (2CCAM), and the municipalities of Glières-Val-de-Borne and Brison, located within the Faucigny-Glières Community of Municipalities (CCFG). The site features a very open landscape dominated by subalpine meadows, offering unobstructed views of the Bargy’s main peaks. The plateau comprises 630 hectares of rich and varied natural habitats that support exceptional flora and fauna: karst landscapes, ponds and wetlands, and high-altitude grasslands. Due to its remarkable natural heritage and unique landscape, the Cenise Plateau is part of the Bargy Massif Natura 2000 site, designated to protect a number of habitats and species representative of European biodiversity. It is also in the process of being designated as a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS), a designation awarded by the Department to sites intended to be preserved and promoted to the general public. This ENS policy is carried out at the local level by the Cluses Arve et Montagnes Community of Communes (2CCAM), which is responsible for implementing a management plan finalized in 2022: This document provides an assessment of the site’s current state and outlines the actions needed to balance visitor use with conservation. All the wildlife typical of mountain environments can be observed here: ibex, chamois, marmots, black grouse… The site is also home to the bearded vulture, a large vulture reintroduced to the Bargy Massif in the late 1980s. The wetlands and meadows are particularly interesting from a flora and fauna perspective. The Cenise Plateau experiences heavy visitor traffic and faces conflicts over land use, particularly in connection with the work carried out by alpine herders on the pastures grazed by cattle herds that help maintain the site. If visitor traffic is not properly managed and respectful, it causes significant disruption to both the alpine pasture and the site’s biodiversity. Local authorities and various local stakeholders are working to resolve the issues encountered, particularly through the implementation of actions outlined in the site’s management plan.
Marking : Trail marked with directional posts (PDIPR)

Admission fee : Free access. Hiking maps are available for purchase at the tourist office.

Opening : From 01/04 to 14/11 daily. Subject to favorable weather.

Area : Cluses Arve & Montagnes