The End of the World

The View From Bout du Monde

The Cirque du Fer-a-Ceval is a unique place in the French Alps. There is a trail in that neck of the woods that the French call Bout due Monde, The End of the World Hike. We first hiked this trail back in 2021 and I was thrilled to discover that it was only an hour drive from our location in Combloux which gave us to see it again.

I would have to say that this hike ranks as the best hike in France for us. The visuals are like something out of this world. The Cirque du Fer-a-Cheval is the largest alpine mountain cirque in France with 2,000 meter cliffs. During the peak snowmelt in June there are up to thirty different waterfalls that erupt. I wouldn't be surprised if Spielberg got his inspiration for Jurassic Park from this location because it reminds me of a place where the dinosaurs once roamed.

If you ever get to the France Alps and you enjoy hiking this trail is a must. The main trail from the parking lot is about a 6.5 mile round trip but there are plenty of add-on trails along the way and you can go for days if you want to head to the back country.

The Cirque du Fer-a-Cheval is located near Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval in the Upper Savoy Region. Check the weather before you go as there are automatic road closures on the RD 907 entrance to the park when yellow, orange, or red weather alerts are issued for the region.