Mont du Chat ridge: from the TV relay station to the Croix du Signal

Start from the left-hand bend, at 1,385m, on the road to the Relais du Mont du Chat on the western slope, accessed from Yenne via Saint-Paul-sur-Yenne and Trouet, or from Novalaise via Verthemex and Vacheresse.

(S/E) At the bend, take the correct forest track which quickly heads south and climbs gradually up the Montagne de Futaie to the ridge.

(1) Once at the ridge, turn right onto the signposted path which starts off more or less level: it climbs a little further then descends slightly to a point where, on the right, a rocky outcrop offers a viewpoint.

(2) Continue along the ridge path heading south.

(3) Ignore a path branching off to the left down towards Le Bourget; pass over a high point before reaching the junction signposted ‘Croix du Signal’.

(4) Ignore the signposted ridge path heading down towards Château-Richard and turn left onto the path leading, after a few dozen metres, to the Croix du Signal.

(5) Return to the ridge path.

(4) Follow it due north until you reach the junction with the forest track you took on the way up.

(1) Leave the ascent track on your left and continue straight on along the signposted path, which follows the ridge as closely as possible. The route becomes more wooded and rugged until you reach the edge of the road (on the left). Head straight up towards the TV relay station. Go round its fence through the woods (keeping slightly to the right), then continue straight down to the roadside viewing platform (with an orientation table and plenty of tourists).

(6) From the orientation table, head down the road towards the south-west, and after a few bends, you’ll reach a left-hand bend which forms a viewpoint.

(7) From this bend, head down the final stretch of road which leads back to the starting car park (S/E).

An easy walk along paths or tracks that are generally in fairly good condition but can be rocky in places, as the bedrock is never far from the surface.

There are no water points, but a bar welcomes tourists on the esplanade at the Relais du Chat (6).

''Alternative route: you can avoid the road between (6) and (7) by heading down to the car park below the bar-inn and taking a path that leads straight down through the forest to the bend (7). Take care: it’s quite steep and there are pedestrians.

The route itself, which runs through woodland, offers few views (just a few spots a few metres off the main path, such as at (2)), but its endpoints provide sweeping views:
- from the Croix du Signal (5), you look down over Chambéry and its gorge, as well as Lake Bourget
- from the Relais du Chat (6), the view over Lake Bourget and the Alps (Bauges, Mont Blanc, etc.) draws crowds
- at the bend in the descent (7), the view takes in the Avant-Pays Savoyard, including Yenne and the Bugey.