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The start is located in Thonon-les-Bains, at the junction between Chemin des Chênes and Chemin de la Vionnaz (dead-end road). Access via the road that runs alongside the ring road from the roundabout that serves the hospital. Parking is available along the noise barrier.
(S/E) Cross the bridge over the D1005 and continue straight ahead for about 100 metres. When the main path turns right, take the dirt track that opens up in front of you (GR®5) and enter the forest. Leave the path that climbs southwards on your right and continue straight ahead, passing through the wooden barrier.
(1) In a clearing, take the path on the right that climbs uphill, the Chemin de Vionnaz. Continue climbing, keeping to your right, until you reach the Carrefour des Chasseurs.
(2) At the crossroads, turn left. A sign on a tree indicates the direction of "Châteaux des Allinges".
(3) At the next crossroads, "Chemin des Dames/Chemin de Chessy", continue straight ahead. The path leaves the forest, crosses a small road and continues opposite between the forest (on the left) and a field (on the right).
(4) About 200 metres after crossing the road, turn left onto a path that climbs into the forest. Continue climbing and, once out of the forest, join a path coming from the north. Turn right and continue to a large field.
Before descending towards the field, follow the path to the south-west that opens up on the right and overlooks the field for about 1 km.
(5) Continue straight ahead (still southwest) along a small road. Stay on the tarmac and, at the T-junction, turn left. Cross the main road and take a path that is closed to cars (two posts prevent access).
(6) At the crossroads, turn left (south). After two bends, left then right, join a larger road. Follow this road to the right (west).
(7) About 75 metres after the small bridge, climb the few steps on your left and continue climbing on your right for about 50 metres until you reach a larger path. On your left, there is a fork in the road: take the path that climbs to the right, following the yellow-red trail. After a few hairpin bends, at the first intersection, take the path opposite that climbs south-west to the next crossroads.
(8) At the crossroads, take the path straight ahead that climbs westwards. At the next intersection, take the path on the right and climb the hairpin bends until you reach a surrounding wall. Enter the enclosure through the opening in the wall (east postern gate).
(9) Inside the enclosure, follow the small path that will take you to the various viewpoints, staying on the northern edge of the enclosure (railings in places). Pass the ruins of the keep and continue towards the chapel, which is clearly visible. Pass the viewpoint and turn left to reach the foot of the castle (statue of Saint-François de Salles). Then turn right and descend a small tarmac road to leave the castle walls.
(11) At the car park, turn left. At the hairpin bend, turn left (north-north-east). Enter the hamlet of "Château Vieux" and, at the fork, turn left. Then take the first left, downhill. Continue along this small road which winds its way downhill through old houses and, at the last house, turns into a dirt track. Continue along this track which, after a slight fork to the north, climbs slightly through the undergrowth. Less than five minutes later, you will arrive at an intersection you took on the way there.
(8) Take the small path on the right that goes downhill: this is the path you took on the way up.
(7) At the bottom of the steps, follow the road to the right (remember to walk in the opposite direction to the traffic!). Turn left onto Rue du Manoir, which you also took on the way there.
(6) At the crossroads, turn left and follow the small road to its end. When you reach the forest, turn right towards the north. Two paths open up before you: choose either one, as they are almost parallel... Continue until you reach a small clearing.
(12) A small path descends to the rear left, another path continues straight ahead (towards the west): turn right towards the north. Be careful, as the start of the path is not easy to see! A little further on, at a fork, take the small path that climbs out of the trees and passes under the medium-voltage power line (before it changes direction). Continue along this small path, which leads to the edge of a riding centre, which you should follow until you reach the D12.
(13) Cross the road (watch out for traffic!) and take the path opposite that climbs southwards. At the water tank (you can hear the pumps), continue left along the path, which widens. After about 200 metres, turn left at the intersection. After about 50 metres, at a fork, take the path on the left. Continue and cross Les Bougeries.
(14) At the exit after the last house, an opening in the embankment on the right indicates the entrance to a small path that runs alongside the gardens of the houses. After the last house, you will come to an intersection: take the small path that descends to the left and joins a wider path, which you should take to the right. Continue to a large crossroads that you took on the way there (intersection of Chemin des Dames and Chemin de Chessy).
(3) Continue straight ahead on the slightly sunken path that descends towards the north-east, ignoring a path on the left. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and stay at the foot of the high embankment on the left (outward route); do not follow the white and green markedGR®5which branches off to the right. Continue along the path which leads back to the small clearing.
(1) Go through the gate you passed at the start of the walk, leave the forest and take the small road and bridge in front of you to return to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
