The Countess Cécile de Baux Trail to Séez

de fr

A lovely walk on the sunny side, crossing the Forêt des Bochères, which will allow you to discover the hamlet of Saint-Germain and its mill, situated on the road leading to the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard.

Details

n°57446839
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 441 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 440 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,292 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 867 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Ruins
Toilets in Saint-Germain
Saint Germain Church
Picnic area at the Moulin de Saint Germain

Description of the walk

Start from the Séez hiking car park, opposite the campsite (just after the large Séez roundabout).

(S/E) Follow the path towards Saint-Germain, on the edge of the Haute Tarentaise National Forest, until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Turn left, leaving the stream below, and start the climb.

(2) Head towards Saint-Germain, opposite, through the forest, until you reach a road.

(3) Turn left for a few metres, cross over to join the hiking trail which continues towards Saint-Germain. The arrival in Saint-Germain is marked by the wash house.

(4) Follow the road until you reach the mill and the picnic area.

(5) Then take the small path that follows the stream from the mill up to the church.
Head down to the left towards the toilets, then take the small path that leads back across the fields.
Follow the narrow, flat path to the ruins.

(6) Pass a water source.

(7) Begin the descent that winds through the forest, heading towards Séez, until you reach the fork from the outward journey.

(2) Turn right and head back along the original path to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 867 m - Hiking car park opposite the campsite
  2. 1 : km 1.06 - alt. 1,030 m - Crossroads towards Saint-Germain - Torrent du Reclus (cours d'eau)
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 1,044 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 1,203 m - Road junction
  5. 4 : km 2.52 - alt. 1,266 m - Arrival in Saint-Germain
  6. 5 : km 2.68 - alt. 1,284 m - Mill
  7. 6 : km 4.1 - alt. 1,261 m - Ruins
  8. 7 : km 4.15 - alt. 1,253 m - Descent through the forest
  9. S/E : km 6.08 - alt. 867 m - Hiking car park opposite the campsite

Notes

Picnic tables at the car park at the start and in Saint-Germain.
Public toilets in Saint-Germain.
Water points in Saint-Germain (on arrival at the mill and near the toilets), as well as on the return route.

The ascent is partly in the sun; dress appropriately for the weather and bring suitable gear. Although of moderate difficulty, several sections are technical and require caution

You can vary the hike by taking the upper section of the Sentier des Boëdets for the return journey (from Saint-Germain); allow for an additional 150 m of elevation gain. The path rejoins the original route at the ruins

Worth a visit

The Saint-Germain mill was restored in 1987. It is used to grind wheat into flour and bake bread in its oven. It is regularly open to visitors.
The hamlet of Saint-Germain occupied a strategic position on the road to the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard. In 1259, whilst travelling in the depths of winter, Countess Cécile de Baux could find porters only in Saint-Germain. The devoted villagers of Saint-Germain helped her cross the snow-covered pass so that she could visit the grave of one of her relatives. The countess was grateful to the villagers and granted them exemptions from all taxes.
The Bois des Bochères, a communal hunting and wildlife reserve, is home to a rich variety of wildlife (deer, roe deer). As you walk through this forest, you will smell the scent of resin that permeates the Mediterranean air. This comes from the Scots pine, which was recently planted due to the decline of pastureland.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Machecourt
Machecourt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route along easy paths that will give you a break from the demanding trails of the nearby high mountains, such as those above the Sassière valley. We recommend completing the route via the Chemin des Boedets, starting above the beautiful Saint Germain chapel: for an additional 200 metres of easy climbing to the "Mont d'en Haut", you will enjoy the unobstructed view of the sunny slope between mountain pastures and herds in beautiful autumn colours

Machine-translated

corentinkrog
corentinkrog
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

All in all, a fairly average hike: a good part of it is in a rather pleasant forest, but the numerous viewpoints are marred by the presence of large power lines. The hamlet of Saint Germain is also pleasant, with its few old stone houses and the welcome presence of picnic tables.

Be warned, however, that we were unable to complete the entire route because three-quarters of the way through we came across electric fences that simply blocked the path. The arrival of a group of sheepdogs finally dissuaded us from trying to get through. With no alternative route available, we had to turn back.

Machine-translated

User 10282693

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant little route to get some exercise without having to take the car. Good views of Séez and the surrounding area.

Machine-translated

Kélig07
Kélig07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with no major difficulties.
The route is very easy to follow.
There are plenty of lovely viewpoints.
The hamlet of St Germain is very welcoming, with its picnic tables.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The blueberry trail in Montvalezan

Tourist office
↔4.79 km ↗+261 m ↘-260 m ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Montvalezan (Savoie)
This is the ultimate family hike, offering cool shade in the forest via a superb balcony trail overlooking the Tarentaise Valley and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. As you leave the forest, you will be walking among blueberry bushes.

Walking The Five Lakes of Forclaz

Visorando member
Les Cinq Lacs de Forclaz
↔11.08 km ↗+734 m ↘-726 m ◔5h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Bourg-Saint-Maurice (Savoie)
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.

Walking The Hunters’ Trail (Lac du Retour circular)

Tourist office
Le Sentier des Chasseurs (Boucle du Lac du Retour)
↔12.30 km ↗+1,001 m ↘-1,001 m ◔6h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Montvalezan (Savoie)
A magnificent hike that alternates between shaded forest sections, a balcony trail and a mountain lake.

Walking Les Eucherts - La Traversette

Visorando member
Les Eucherts - La Traversette
↔13.00 km ↗+589 m ↘-588 m ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Montvalezan (Savoie)
A short, easy walk with magnificent panoramic views of the Haute-Tarentaise, Mont Pourri, Col du Petit Saint-Bernard, Mont Blanc and much more.

Walking The Lakes Trail and Aiguille Grive from Les Arcs 2000

Visorando member
Le sentier des lacs et l'Aiguille Grive au départ des Arcs 2000
↔11.48 km ↗+690 m ↘-686 m ◔5h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bourg-Saint-Maurice (Savoie)
Hike starting from Les Arcs 2000. As this is a resort hike, there are unfortunately some man-made features, but I suggest the most unspoilt route possible. The first section follows a beautiful path (the ‘Sentier des Lacs’) to Lac des Moutons. Then there is a short but steep climb to Aiguille Grive (2,733m) and its magnificent view of Mont Blanc before heading back down.

Walking Lancebranlette with return via Lac sans Fond

Visorando member
Lancebranlette avec retour par le Lac sans Fond
↔9.55 km ↗+863 m ↘-871 m ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Séez (Savoie)
Hike starting from the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard, with a low elevation gain of 800 metres, beginning in the mountain pastures, then a well-marked section on schist before the last 250 metres on the grassy western slope, which is never exposed. High point: regular sightings of male ibex on a ridge. The detour via Lac sans Fond allows you to make a loop.

Walking The Bottomless Lake

Tourist office
Le Lac sans Fond
↔6.49 km ↗+335 m ↘-340 m ◔2h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Séez (Savoie)
A magnificent hike starting from the Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard to reach a high-altitude lake at the foot of the Lancebranlette summit.

Walking The Vernettes Chapel

Association / Club / Walk leader
La Chapelle des Vernettes
↔4.77 km ↗+188 m ↘-187 m ◔1h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Peisey-Nancroix (Savoie)
The Chapelle des Vernettes is a highlight of Baroque religious art in the Tarentaise region and a must-see hike in the Peisey Valley. Its main advantage is its accessibility, which can become a problem in the height of summer when many cars make the trip.

For more walks, use our search engine .

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