Around Mont Nivolet

de fr

This hike takes you along a path through mountain pastures and woods that is quiet at the start, offering magnificent views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges. You can visit the cave and waterfalls before reaching the summit of the Nivolet and its cross. If you keep an eye out for the plants along the way, you may be able to spot the rare and protected Martagon lily.

Details

n°3517282
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 878 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 875 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,546 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 928 m
Downloads
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Photos

The Croix du Nivolet
Panoramic view from the Croix du Nivolet
Junction towards Pragondran
Croix du Nivolet

Description of the walk

Park in the car park in the village of Le Sire.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs alongside the chairlift towards the Chalets du Sire and head towards these chalets.

(1) Take the path on the right; to do this, go through the mountain pasture fence and head towards Pragondran. Enter the woods at the junction of two perpendicular paths.

(2) Continue straight ahead towards Lovettaz. Reach the edge of the woods and the edge of the Nivolet mountain pasture.

(3) Take the path on the right, along the edge of the woods and then into the mountain pasture. Reach the Nivolet mountain pasture hamlet. Continue through the woods to reach the junction withthe GR®96.

(4) Continue left to reach, in turn, the Grotte Carret, then the Trou de la Doria and its waterfall.

(5) Return to the previous junction via the same route. Cross the Doria and pass above the waterfall. At the junction ofthe GR® and theGRP® of the Massif des Bauges, stay on theGR® to the left and continue on to reach the Col de la Doria.

(6) Continue left with a 90° turn towards Croix du Nivolet, leaving theGR® on your right. You will soon come to a junction of paths.

(7) Take the path on the left. Continue through the woods; at the Via Ferrata, you’ll come to another junction at a place called Charvette.

(8) Take the path on the left and head for the Rocher de Charvettan viewpoint. Go back a little way, then take the path on the left which will lead you back to the path you were on before at the next junction.

(9) Turn left and continue the climb through the woods, emerging at the junction leading to the Croix near the Refuge du Nivolet.

(10) Turn left to reach the summit of the Croix du Nivolet.

(11) Return to the previous junction.

(10) Turn left onto the correct path which runs a short distance from the cliff. At the next junction, keep left, ignoring the path on the right. Further on, you’ll come to a cairn and then the Chalets du Sire. A few metres further on, you’ll return to the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Follow the path in the opposite direction to the outward journey to return to the car park in the hamlet of Le Sire (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,411 m - “Le Sire” car park
  2. 1 : km 0.93 - alt. 1,514 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 3.18 - alt. 1,336 m - Pré du Nivolet
  4. 3 : km 3.62 - alt. 1,294 m - Nivolet mountain pasture
  5. 4 : km 5.27 - alt. 966 m - Carré. Towards the - Doria (rivière) à finaliser
  6. 5 : km 5.72 - alt. 994 m - Cascade de la Doria
  7. 6 : km 7.04 - alt. 1,140 m - Col de la Doria
  8. 7 : km 7.24 - alt. 1,141 m - Start of the trail
  9. 8 : km 8.17 - alt. 1,220 m - Charvette
  10. 9 : km 8.7 - alt. 1,273 m - Junction
  11. 10 : km 9.72 - alt. 1,515 m - The Nivolet refuge
  12. 11 : km 9.85 - alt. 1,546 m - CROIX DU NIVOLET
  13. S/E : km 13.01 - alt. 1,411 m - “Le Sire” car park

Notes

This hike features a few tricky sections: scree slopes to cross after the Nivolet and on the climb to the Grotte à Carret. The access to the Trou de la Doria is equipped with a cable.
Bring a torch to explore the cave.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
FBe69
FBe69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is a real gem. Much of it is spent in complete tranquillity, far from the crowds, particularly the initial section beneath the cliff, where it’s nice and cool. The route profile, which generally begins with a long descent (and is actually quite steep before reaching the junction for the caves), is unusual. This allows you to work your knees while your muscles are still fresh. The climb to the Col de Doria isn’t very long but is very steep indeed. And after that, there’s still a good climb (less steep) up to the cross where you’ll find the crowds, on a well-signposted but very uneven path. Don’t hesitate to take the short detour to the viewpoint (marked at 90 m). The return to the Sire car park is a gentle walk, with a slight incline.
Toilets at the Sire car park (but no mobile signal).

Followed the route on the GPS so no problems.

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laurentSAP
laurentSAP
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike far from the crowds to this landmark in the Chambéry valley.
The first section takes you through woodland to point 2. The ground is slippery in wet weather
From the start of the hike to point 5, it’s all downhill. Naturally, the difficulty comes into play from point 5 to 10.
There are a lot of people at the cross, but that’s to be expected given the popularity of the viewpoint.
At point 7, there is indeed a Yellow Cross on the left-hand path, which is indicated as the route to take. Do not pay any attention to it. Afterwards, the yellow markings on the trees confirm the presence of a signposted path.
Magnificent scenery with beautiful autumn colours.
Distances and times as described.

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PROLLOT
PROLLOT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route around Mont Nivolet. A lovely alternative to the more direct route, which is very busy. A very varied hike with wooded sections and more technical passages. Be careful: the path on the left after the Col de la Doria is a bit tricky to spot, as the trail has been marked a little further on. However, you can find your way through the woods with a good GPS. Avoid this route after a spell of rain, as it is likely to be slippery.

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0889936X
0889936X

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I went on this hike, "Around Mont Nivolet". The GPX track is brilliant. Just a quick note regarding your point 7: if you follow your track, you’re supposed to turn left, but the signposting on the ground shows a cross, so we carried on straight ahead and turned left a little further on, rejoining the track at your point 8. A brilliant hike; thank you for the track and see you soon.

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moumouche
moumouche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A classic for everyone in Chambéry: the Croix du Nivolet

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.