Ternèse Canyon and Trou de l'Enfer from Le Boyat

de fr

Discover this magnificent route on the outskirts of Chambéry. Passing by the Ternèse stream (canyon) and the Trou de l'Enfer site where the Leysse river has carved its way through, this hike offers a complete change of scenery in a wild environment.

Technical sheet

n°8208506
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 455 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 463 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 641 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 416 m
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Photos

The Hell Hole
Footbridge over the Leysse
Sordet Bridge
Soulet Bridge

Description of the walk

Coming from Chambéry, cross the hamlet of Boyat. Descend to the banks of the Ternèse stream and park in the car park near the bridge known as the Boyat bridge.

(S/E) Take the wide path on the left bank that follows the stream. You will reach the Ternèze Canyon: you will visit this site on your return. Continue on the left, passing by the old mill.

(1) Go straight ahead, ignoring the path on the right, which will be the return route. Then keep right at the fork in the path leading to Curienne and continue to the next three-way junction.

(2) Turn right, then right again at the next crossroads to reach the Sordet bridge: gentle descent to the Ternèze stream.

(3) Pont du Sordet: it is forbidden to use this bridge, so you will have to ford the stream. After the ford, continue on the left, passing through the scree, and join the path that climbs and turns into a wide track. Join theGRP® of the Massif des Bauges.

(4) Follow theGRP® to the left (red and yellow markings, directional sign). After several steep hairpin bends downhill, you will reach a footbridge.

(5) Cross the footbridge over the Leysse. Continue on the other side for about 150 m to reach the viewpoint over the Trou de l'Enfer.

(6) Retrace your steps and cross the footbridge again.

(5) Climb the steep switchbacks and return to the junction you took earlier.

(4) Ignore the path on the right that you came along and continue straight ahead towards Curienne (signpost) on a paved section. At the 90° bend, continue straight ahead on a wide dirt track.

(7) Take the wide path on the right (GRP® Boucle du Plateau de la Leysse). At an enclosure, the path becomes a trail and leads to the Ternèze Canyon footbridge.

(8) After the footbridge, descend slightly along the river, go around the ruins of the mill and rejoin the path you took on the way there.

(1) Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 637 m - Boyat bridge car park
  2. 1 : km 1.07 - alt. 588 m - Crossing of the loop
  3. 2 : km 2.1 - alt. 602 m - Three-way junction
  4. 3 : km 2.94 - alt. 486 m - Pont du Sordet ford
  5. 4 : km 3.7 - alt. 577 m - Junction with the GRP Tour des Beauges
  6. 5 : km 4.34 - alt. 416 m - Bridge over the - Leysse (rivière)
  7. 6 : km 4.49 - alt. 444 m - Viewpoint over the Trou de l'Enfer
  8. 7 : km 5.73 - alt. 640 m - Three-way junction
  9. 8 : km 6.91 - alt. 576 m - Footbridge - Canyon de Ternèze
  10. S/E : km 8.25 - alt. 637 m - Boyat bridge car park

Practical information

Please note that crossing the Sordet bridge is prohibited. The ford is difficult to cross if the Ternèse river is high, which is visible from the starting point.
In this case, make the round trip using the footbridge towards the canyon.
Circuit to be completed in dry weather: sloping and wet path before the Himalayan footbridge.
On theGRP®, some markers are located downstream from the junctions, such as at (7).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Dominique Coudreau
Dominique Coudreau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The trees are still present on the descent towards the Sordet bridge. It is best not to hike this route on a windy day. The lookout point adds a little excitement to this hike.
The canyon is not large but very pretty.

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Fanfan LEG
Fanfan LEG

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike, physically demanding but enjoyable. There are always trees to climb over, but nothing insurmountable. Very few people, but then again, it is October.

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User 9208813

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant hike along a nice, shaded trail.
A few fallen trees on the path that you have to climb over.
We saw people doing canyoning, which was very impressive.

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User 10945420

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

With shade almost everywhere, the canyon is superb, as is the footbridge.
We did the circuit backwards. There were indeed lots of trees across the path after the ford, but fortunately it didn't last long.
Be careful of cyanobacteria at the moment; there are small signs on the barriers. However, a canyoning guide told us that he had been in the water several times a day recently without any problems. It's up to each individual to take responsibility.
There were quite a few people there thanks to the shade and the relatively cool water during this heatwave, but it was much quieter towards the canyon.

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etr73
etr73

There are indeed many fallen trees near the Sordret bridge.
I notified the Curienne town hall last week.

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etr73
etr73

There are indeed many fallen trees near the Sordret bridge.
I notified the town hall in Curienne last week.

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User 24918704

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Bj
The tree trunks are indeed a bit of a nuisance, but they don't really prevent people from passing through.
I reported to the town hall that a plank on the footbridge was broken... so be careful
The hike is very pleasant with varied scenery

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azimut
azimut

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

PLEASE NOTE BETWEEN POINTS 1 AND 2, THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF FELLED TREES TO CLIMB OVER, MAKING THE ROUTE DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
Otherwise, a very pleasant hike in the intense heat.

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marie the quere
marie the quere

Superb hike, refreshing
Challenging section between points 2 and 3, numerous fallen trees along the route

thanks to the author for sharing this.

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Bidou61
Bidou61

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Thank you to the author of this very enjoyable hike. We chose to park in Curienne Chef lieu (there is a fairly large car park next to the town hall). We joined the route described between points 1 and 2. If you choose this option, don't forget to continue on after the Fontaine Froide mills for 150 metres towards Boyat, to the bend in the Ternèze where you can enjoy a more complete view of the canyon.
As for the rest of the route: the ford is made easier by logs placed across the stream, which is very passable with average water flow and with the aid of walking sticks. The "Himalayan" footbridge over the Leysse is very safe.

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RAUX Yohann
RAUX Yohann

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hike done today with two children aged 9 and 10 in good weather. Follow the trail in the direction indicated. The hike was magnificent throughout and had many points of interest. There were lots of fallen trees across the path on the first part, which the children found amusing but weren't always easy to get past. You'll cross two slightly dizzying footbridges, a bridge, several magnificent viewpoints, and see people canyoning – all distractions that made this hike a great moment of family fun!

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crisbo
crisbo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this hike in beautiful weather, it was superb. A few difficulties add to its appeal. I recommend it. If you allow more time, it must be interesting to continue beyond the hole of hell.

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Mbar2
Mbar2

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Hike completed in the opposite direction to that indicated in the guidebook.
Easy trail. Only the ford crossing on the slippery rocks at the Sordet bridge is tricky, depending on the water level.
The descent/ascent to the footbridge over the Leysse is easy via a path with regular switchbacks.
Contrary to some comments, I found the walk to be fairly easy (we completed the hike in 3 hours with two 85-year-olds).

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Pakita73
Pakita73

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We did this trail in the opposite direction, from point 8 to point 1. We were very happy with it. From the Sordet bridge to the car park, the path is much easier at the end of the walk . A landslide a few metres from the bridge blocks the path and there are trees to climb over. The path doesn't seem to be very well maintained but it's passable. In addition, swimming was prohibited in the canyon due to cyanobacteria. Despite everything, it was a very nice hike, even in the heat.

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Sab78
Sab78

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A very enjoyable hike, but with a very difficult section due to the significant elevation gain.
Personally, I would have described this hike as difficult rather than moderate. It was tough going, but I don't regret doing it.

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