Circular at Hautecombe Abbey starting from the Ontex viewpoint

(S/E) Depart from the Belvédère d'Ontex car park. Cross the road and turn right onto Montée de Grumeau. After about 200 m, continue on Chemin de Cotibeau, which joins a forest track at a place called La Bouli.

(1) Take the track on the left (towards Plateforme and La Chapelle-du-Mont-du-Chat) and follow the path south for about 2 km.

(2) At the crossroads, take the path (second on the left) that descends through the woods to the D914 at a bend.

(3) Turn right onto a path to avoid the long bend in the road, rejoin it and follow it south for about 100 m.

(4) Turn right onto the small road that leads to Petit Villard and cross Les Bessons.

(5) Take the path that descends to the right towards the lake until you reach the junction with the path that runs alongside the lake from Bourdeau.

(6) Turn onto the path on the left (heading north) and continue straight on towards Hautecombe Abbey. The path is mostly flat at first, gradually descending towards the lake shore. It crosses a few well-stabilised scree slopes.

(7) From the lowest point, it climbs slightly with rocky sections equipped with cables and goes around the abbey grounds, which can be seen through the trees. You will come to a fork.

(8) Turn right downhill to join the road leading to the abbey and continue to the abbey.

(9) After visiting the abbey and taking a look at the Grange Bâtelière, retrace your steps to the fork at the low point.

(7) Take the path that climbs quite steeply south-west until you reach Sous Communal, just below the houses.

(10) The path branches off to the right towards the north-west, continuing uphill, and leads to the Belvédère d'Ontex viewpoint, just next to the car park (S/E).

Ontex Belvedere: restaurant open in season.

The Royal Abbey of Hautecombe, founded in 1125 by Amédée de Lausanne, is an active Cistercian abbey; it is known for being the necropolis of the House of Savoy. The abbey church and the royal apartments are open to visitors.