Château Richard and Croix du Signal on the Verthemex side

Access by car: via Chambéry, heading towards Yenne, go through the Tunnel du Chat. At Saint-Jean de Chevelu, head towards Saint-Paul sur Yenne, then in the village turn left onto the D41, D42a towards Vacheresse – Col de l’Épine (Route de Vacheresse then Route Forestière de Belledigue). There are several parking options from the start or further down at the hut by the old snow stadium, or below the old chalet restaurant. (Please note: in winter, the road is closed and not cleared of snow from this hut onwards.)

(S/E) Follow the forest road uphill, towards “Château Richard – Croix du Signal”. After 150 m, leave the track and take the^first path on the right (south). It quickly becomes a wide track, initially uphill, then level, and goes round the mountain before heading back north-east.

Yellow markings and GRP®.

(1) At the “La Table des Princes 1230 m” signpost, take the zigzagging path up to the left (north-east), towards “Château Richard”.
At the signpost “Les Échelles 1260 m”, there are two options:
- follow the suggested route to the left towards “Les Richards Belvédère – La Croix du Signal”.
- if you do not wish to take this direct route to the viewpoint via three steel ladders (take care), turn right (marked "Easy") and head directly to the "Château Richard" junction (where you can descend to the viewpoint and then climb back up to continue the route).

(2) After a break at the secure viewpoint to admire the view over the Chambéry basin (Les Bauges, La Chartreuse, Les Belledonnes), continue uphill along a wide path heading north-east then due north. Reach the “Château Richard 1370 m” junction and continue straight on due north (ignore the side tracks).

(3) At the “La Pierre gravée” junction, continue along the ridge opposite towards “Croix du Signal” via a wide forest track until you reach a cairn. Further on, take a short uphill path to the right and finally reach the “Croix du Signal”. Take another break and get out your binoculars. In good weather, Mont Blanc is right in front of you.

(4) Return via the same route as the outward journey to the junction at "La Pierre Gravée".

(3) This time, turn right and head downhill (Belledigue – Verthemex – Novalaise road).

(5) Leave the forest road immediately after the^first hairpin bend, which turns left, and head straight on towards a stony track (north-north-east). It descends to a clearing in the undergrowth, a gathering place for wild boars. Exit opposite via a small pass. Switch to a new track, this time heading north-north-west.

(6) Take the^first track on the left and join the main forest track (which you left at the hairpin bend below the “Pierre Gravée”; this detour is longer than following the track, but more rugged).

(7) Follow the track to the right to reach the car park (S/E).

A single spring above the "Table des Princes".
The ladders aren’t compulsory and don’t present any real difficulty; I’ve seen plenty of children climbing them without any fear. But everyone has their own experience and abilities. Going round them via the northern path marked “Easy” hardly takes any extra time (10 mins max) and involves a 70 m elevation gain and loss over the return journey.

Can be done in winter on snowshoes or simply by walking through the snow, which is often shallow, but avoid the steel ladders.

For your information, this is my^first hike description on Visorando. I’ve had a lot of fun and hope to be clear, precise, and inspire others to give it a go.

The two viewpoints are an endless source of sights to discover for newcomers, or to recognise for locals.