MI.L

It's not the most interesting route in the massif, but it's the shortest way to quickly reach the summit of the famous site that became legendary in 2012, the Pech de Bugarach, the mysterious highest point of the Corbières massif, a foothill of the Pyrenees and a landmark for griffon vultures, which you're sure to spot.

A short but very interesting hike featuring a continuous steep slope and no easy sections. Undertaken in late October: ice and light snow in the chimney and freezing fog at the summit. Exit the forest to the foot of the cliff and walk up an unstable scree slope. Passage across the cliff is well-cabled and sheathed in plastic (slippery grip with gloves but very comfortable bare-handed in summer). Hike not recommended for young children.

From the town to the mountains without a car. A long but gently sloping walk. After leaving the last houses of Cognin, the first part takes you through fields, streams, cows, horses and apple trees; it is only after Saint-Sulpice that you will enter the forest via the ancient Sardinian Way, which, in the 16th century, replaced the Roman road from Vienne to Milan (50 BC) – a route you will follow in part on your return from the Col Saint-Michel.

This sunny and windy trip will take you to the heart of the Boutenac National Forest, better known for its wine than for its hikes. In a setting that smells of pine and rosemary, discover the cave and the Chapel of Saint-Siméon, with a fresco depicting its history, its life and its work. Then head to the rocky barrier of Roque Sestière, the highest point of the Boutenac massif, a landmark for birds of prey and an area where the Cers wind has left no chance for vegetation.

A lovely walk with the scent of the heath in the air. The walk starts at the recently rebuilt Boutenac washhouse, takes you past the church – which has also been renovated – and the remains of the tower. After a visit to the old village, head towards Mount Penery to enjoy a 360° view very close to the Roche Trouée, but be careful not to take any unnecessary risks: if you ask locals for directions, say ‘le Trou de la Lunette’.

On the Allevard side, the Grand Charnier is the Belledones peak that must absolutely be added to your list of conquests. At 2,561 metres, it offers 360° views of all the peaks of the two Savoie departments and Isère. Here I suggest the shortest route to reach it, but ‘shorter’ means steeper, and is best suited to experienced hikers. A pleasant hike with a significant elevation gain that becomes technical over the final 300 metres; this summit sometimes remains snow-covered until the end of June.

A rather daunting name for a gentle stroll. Le Bout du Monde is the remote, secluded corner of a Savoyard village, whilst the Trou de l’Enfer marks the source of a mid-mountain torrent, the Leysse. In this heatwave, stay in the shade and walk alongside the torrent. Enjoy the cool, damp microclimate. To avoid getting lost, follow the riverbed.