Plaine Joux and Domancy

Plaine Joux is a cross-country ski center high above Sallanches. It’s also a very popular “take-off” spot for parapenters (see photo above).

It’s a very nice climb with plenty of hairpins – quiet, but busier on weekends than weekdays as it’s a hiker/alpine tourist destination. The best part is without a doubt the views of Mont Blanc and surrounding mountains.

With 800+ metres of ascent, it’s a good size climb but not too difficult. Some steeps parts, a flat part, even a brief downhill in the middle – but it’s generally roughly 7%. Note, the way I descended seemed to be far steeper than the way I climbed (see map at bottom).

Don’t confuse this Plaine Joux with the Plaine Joux in the Vallée Verte or the legendary Col de Joux Plane. Joux is an an ancient French word for alpine forest.

After descending and crossing the valley, I visited for the first time, the famous Côte de Domancy. In 1980, Bernard Hinault won the World Championships here. It’s only 2.5 kilometres but at times very steep — Bernard had to climb it several times. At the top, one can continue left on the main road up to Megève and into the Aravis Alps, but I turned right and called it a day. 🙂

Little monument at start of Côte de Domancy commemorating Hinault’s victory: