Savoie walks

A circuit from Féclaz to the Nivolet Cross overlooking Chambéry.

This is a lovely, easy hike in the Vanoise. It is also a lake circuit dominated by the Vanoise glaciers between the Dent Parrachée and the Grande Casse. From Lac Blanc to the Plan du Lac refuge, the route is neither mapped nor marked.

Located in the heart of the Vanoise massif, this route is a good introduction to France's first national park and goes around the Aiguille de la Vanoise. In early summer (June), you'll easily spot ibex, marmots and maybe even chamois. It is best to park at the Fontanettes car park above Pralognan-la-Vanoise, but you can also start from Pralognan. Moderator's addition on 04/08/2021: Please note! For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended that you do this route in the opposite direction to the one suggested here. See the reviews at the bottom of this page.

A beautiful walk with several stream crossings. But beware of snow at the beginning of the season.

A beautiful family hike that combines green mountain slopes with water flowing in small streams and waterfalls. At the end of the hike, there is a small lake with crystal clear water.

The Rocher du Vent is an impressive rock formation offering a bird's eye view of Lake Roselend, near the Cormet de Roselend. The route described here is unusual as it goes through a tunnel and then along a balcony path, so it is only suitable for walkers who are not afraid of heights or claustrophobia! Others can still discover the site by cutting across to the Lauze chalet.

This circular hike runs along the slopes and ridge of La Galoppaz (pronounced Galoppe) to reach the summit with its magnificent 360° panorama.

A loop above lake Bourget for a late afternoon walk. A walk amid historical sites and beautiful viewpoints.

Starting from Aiguebelette, this is an easy hike on the western slope of the Épine mountain, taking the Voie Romaine and the Voie Sarde. This route offers numerous views of Lake Aiguebelette. See the safety recommendations at (9).

A beautiful loop in the northern Chartreuse with magnificent 360° views of the Alps.

A lovely hike in the Beaufortain to discover the five lakes of Forclaz. This is an easy route with no navigation difficulties, so you can leave your map in your bag. At the start, you are still in the mountain pastures, then gradually the environment becomes more and more rocky.

A walk with superb panoramic views.

A fantastic hike which, when the weather is fine, allows you to contemplate magnificent landscapes dotted with lakes in infinite shades of blue.

Variation of the "Dent du Chat" with a route that passes through Molard Noir and starts above Caton, instead of the traditional "Col du Chat".

This hike, which takes place entirely above 2,000 metres, takes you to the edge of two artificial lakes fed largely by the Saint-Sorlin Glacier, dominated by the Pic de l'Étandard.

A pleasant hike in the Savoyard foothills. Vineyards are still very much present. Yellow markings and a few directional signs help you follow the description.

A hike in the Cirque des Évettes, with the Grand Méan glacial lake at the foot of the glacier of the same name in your sights. At an altitude of 2,876 metres, the lake and glacier offer a fantastic view of a well-hidden glacial cirque. A real treat!

This is a half-day outing and the route is dotted with points of interest with information panels. Until the Pré Cevin intersection, shortly after the Croix de Chevru, the route follows theGR® trail, which is part of the Way of St. James. Then follow the yellow markings until you reach your destination.

From the new car park at the Aussois dams, there is a fairly easy route around Lake Plan-d'Amont, which allows you to discover the four refuges in the southern part of the Vanoise National Park. You enter the heart of the park. In summer, there are many marmots and they are not shy. The landscapes are magnificent and varied, from the rhododendron bushes on the lake shore to the Labby glacier and the mineral deserts of La Fournache.

Lac de la Plagne is a classic day hike in the Peisey Valley. It takes you right into the heart of the Vanoise National Park in a very mountainous setting. The normal route can be done without a map, as it is entirely on theGR®5, which is why I am suggesting a wilder route here, but also more challenging due to numerous stream crossings and some off-trail sections.

The village's main attraction in the summer is, of course, the small Lac de la Thuile lake. For hikers, the other attraction is the Roche du Guet, a pretty viewpoint equipped with two orientation tables.

This circuit in the Beaufortain offers abundant panoramic views, first of the Arêches valley, then of the heart of the Beaufortain. On the ridge path, let the Mont Blanc guide you.

This hike takes you to the summit of Mont Grelle and runs along part of Lake Aiguebelette, which can be admired from a viewpoint.

An easy walk offering a variety of landscapes, points of interest and pleasant views of Lake Bourget. In autumn, you can find chestnuts and mushrooms.

The Mont Grêle lookout point and Archelle’s summit. Mont Grêle is a peak that is visible from the valley of Chambéry and the Aiguebelette region. It is easily spotted thanks to or because of the pylons that are installed at the top. Up close, these towers have still look great, but they do not alone justify the purpose of the tour, which is interesting because it offers views over Lake Aiguebelette and Chartreuse.

A lovely with snowshoes, with a beautiful view of the Alpine peaks at its height. Note that this hike can be done in all seasons.

This hike will take you to the Pointe de Chaurionde via the Col du Haut du Four and the south-west ridge. Don't miss the chamois that inhabit the slopes. At the summit, you can admire Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc. You will cross the Vallon d'Orgeval (the valley of bears), which has now become a peaceful valley home to Tarine and Abondance cows and marmots.In June, the flora is magnificent and varied. Chaurionde means "round summit". (6) Access to the summit (or descent) via the Chalet de Coutarse is now prohibited (ZR zone of the PNR).

Belle randonnée avec, au sommet de la Pointe de l'Observatoire, une vue à 360° sur la Xanoise (Pralognan, petit Mont Blanc, Peclet Polset) et plus loin le Mont Blanc lui même.

A half-day hike for intermediate walkers. You'll walk through different settings that offer a large range of Vanoise flora, while benefiting from an extraordinary view over the summits of Maurienne and the Ecrins national park.

Une très belle randonnée dans le vallon sauvage de la Louïe Blanche, avec comme objectif le Lac du Retour, miroir du Mont Pourri.

A beautiful hike to be done with or without snowshoes.

Peri-urban circuit to quickly escape the city. Views of Chartreuse and Bauges.

Courte randonnée pour accéder à un 3000 m, assez facile en l'absence de neige (comme pour sa voisine l'Aiguille Pers), et dans un environnement très vite minéral. Elle peut être très fréquentée du fait de son accès aisé, mais le panorama au sommet en vaut le détour.

Une superbe boucle où l'on côtoie, cascades, tunnel naturel, grotte, pas d'escalade, vire aérienne, alpage avec pour couronner le tout, au long du parcours, de très beaux points de vue. Attention, ce parcours exposé n'est pas adapté aux personnes sujettes au vertige et n'ayant pas l'expérience de traversée aérienne et de pas d'escalade. A éviter impérativement par temps humide en raison des risques de glissade.

Lake Gittaz and the Curé passage.

Courte randonnée pour accéder à un 3000 m assez facile avec un superbe panorama sur tous les hauts sommets du département. Idéale quand on a un timing serré pour faire une randonnée.

A very pleasant walk, often in the shade. Ideal for very hot days. Very little tarmac and, as a bonus, waterfalls. Points of interest: the Robin Stele (a tragic episode in the Resistance), the gorges visible from the footbridge, the waterfall, etc.

This loop south of the Lauzière allows you to explore both sides of the chain, climbing directly to the Pas de Sarvatan, then crossing the western slope via a well-marked trail before descending from the Col de Monjoie through beautiful meadows.

Mont Clergeon, with its summit at over 1,000 metres, is not one of the most popular peaks in Savoie. However, it offers a 360° view of the Rhône valley and the Bauges, Aravis and Mont Blanc mountains. The route is mostly shaded.

This is an easy loop walk that allows you to see up close a major feature of the landscape at this end of the Beaufortain. Of industrial and historical interest (the construction of the dam is closely linked to the resistance movements in the area).

This 3rd stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) follows the Torrent des Glaciers up 900m to the Col de la Seigne. Climbing gently, at first, for just over 10km before dropping down 300m to Lex Blanche. Let's do it! The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.

A wide loop around the hamlet of Chaucisse, allowing you to visit three summits by combining routes that can each be done as a shorter hike. The views along the way are magnificent, with the Aravis, Beaufortain and Mont Blanc in front of us.

This is a circular walk based on trail 5 as promoted by the Arêches tourist board. It is well marked with yellow signs and paint flashes or markers for trail 5. There are good views over to Mont Blanc, the Beaufortain Mountains and the lake, although small, is a nice place to eat your sandwiches.

This is a circular walk based on trails 5 and 8 as promoted by the Arêches tourist board. For the most part it is well marked with yellow signs and paint flashes or markers for trail 5 & 8. There are good views over to Mont Blanc and of the Beaufortain Mountains.

A varied itinerary on fairly gentle slopes, with exceptional views from the ridges. The Croisse Baulet is mainly used by ski tourers, while the Petit Croisse Baulet is accessible from several sides, both on snowshoes and skis: the proposed loop starts at Le Plan, in La Giettaz.