Two loops around Cusy, Saint-Ours and Chainaz

These two easy loops form a figure of 8, on low-traffic roads, tracks and paths through fields and woods. They offer beautiful views of the Clergeon, the Bauges mountains, the Semnoz and even Lake Bourget. They also pass through the villages of Saint-Ours and Chainaz-Les-Frasses, offering views of the Château de Fésigny.

Details

505385
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 237 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 230 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 696 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 531 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Alps
  • ⚐ District: Cusy (74540)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.755307° / E 6.002785°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3331OT, 3332OT, 3432OT, 3432OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave Cusy on the RD911 towards Aix-les-Bains and park 2 km after leaving the village of Cusy on the left.

(S/E) Return about 100 metres towards Cusy and take the road to La Chapelle on the left, which climbs up the hillside. You will reach a Y-junction.

(1) Turn left onto Chemin de la Paille Haute, which quickly becomes a track. Stay on this track until you reach a cross. Enjoy the view of Lac du Bourget, Dent-du-Chat and Granier.

(2) Continue straight ahead on Chemin de la Croix du Four until you reach the village of Saint-Ours, cross the village and pass the cemetery.

(3) Turn right onto the paved road that climbs between the orchards. Continue right onto Chemin de Chez Martin. At the end of the road, continue on the hillside track, which is Voie Communale n°4. Return to the paved communal road. Continue straight ahead to reach the beginning of the hamlet of Les Reys.

(4) Turn left between the walls onto Chemin Rural de Chainaz. Climb up to the plateau. From there, ignore the first road on the right (dead end) and take the second one. Follow this track to the village of Chainaz-les-Frasses, which offers a lovely view of the Clergeon.
Continue towards Chainaz-les-Frasses (north-east), cross the village and head north-east towards the village of Le Goléron.
When you reach the village, cross it and join the D53 at a wayside cross.

(5) Turn right towards the south-east onto the D53, then take the D253 for about 800 m

(6) Turn right towards the south to take the road that crosses Fésigny and leads back to the hamlet of Chez-Les-Reys.

(4) Turn left onto the steeply descending Route des Côtes. Return to the original crossroads.

(1) Keep left to resume the original route, which will take you back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 531 m - On the RD911, 2 km from Cusy
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 551 m - Chemin de la Paille Haute
  3. 2 : km 1.02 - alt. 596 m - Cross
  4. 3 : km 1.53 - alt. 576 m - Saint-Ours Cemetery
  5. 4 : km 2.8 - alt. 660 m - Les Reys
  6. 5 : km 4.94 - alt. 636 m - Turn right towards the south-east onto the D53
  7. 6 : km 5.71 - alt. 595 m - Turn right towards the south
  8. S/E : km 8.63 - alt. 531 m - On the RD911, 2 km from Cusy

Worth a visit

Between Cusy and Gruffy, cross the Abîme suspension bridge over the Chéran, which is 64 metres long and 96 metres high. It was built in 1887 to facilitate travel between Chambéry and Annecy.
A proposal by Gustave Eiffel's company to build this crossing based on a structure similar to that of Garabit, which would have been located further downstream from the suspension bridge, was not selected during the consultation process.
Fésigny Castle
Between (6) and (1), take a look at an old house with a façade whose corner chains and window surrounds are painted in trompe-l'œil, which is characteristic of the region.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 30 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Popouruchka
Popouruchka

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, not difficult hike. It is best to do it in spring or autumn as there are quite a few sections exposed to the sun.

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User 15567957

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with a view of Lake Bourget.
A very pleasant route alternating between forests and fields.

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39Framboise73
39Framboise73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
This very easy hike is a great way to get back into shape after a long break. It is suitable for children, but I would advise against bringing pushchairs.

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sergio0707
sergio0707

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike in a bucolic setting with lovely views of the meadows and a few glimpses of Lake Bourget

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framarie73
framarie73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike with beautiful scenery, some shade and not too much road... houses with beautiful gardens

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idée randonnée
idée randonnée

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I only did the Héry S/Alby Chainaz section. A beautiful, varied and peaceful hike. Magnificent views, especially of the Bauges with the Tours St Jacques silhouetted against the sky, the Chat mountain and you can even see a little bit of Lake Bourget

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Stephe
Stephe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike is ideal for beginners, with some lovely views of the lake and the Bauges mountains.
However, it took me much less time than advertised.

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jeanmarc.baffet@wanadoo.fr
jeanmarc.baffet@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike, St Ours and Chainaz Les Frasses are superb little villages.

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Laeti93
Laeti93

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike in October offering magnificent panoramic views of the Bauges mountains in autumn colours and passing through the charming village of Saint Ours. The route is signposted and therefore easy to follow. There are many chestnut trees along the route . The only downside is that you have to make a detour via Goléron.

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Anatole
Anatole

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very pleasant walk on this sunny day in mid-September.
Nothing to complain about, very few people around.

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JLE12
JLE12

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and fairly easy walk. Beautiful mountain scenery all along the way, passing through several quiet and picturesque villages. For the view of Lake Bourget, it is best to avoid the period when the corn is very high!

At point 1, at the Y-junction, the path to take is still marked "route de la Chapelle"; the "chemin de la paille haute" is marked further on.

A great way to spend a pleasant afternoon.

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matine74540
matine74540

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful family hike. It took us three hours, taking time to look at nature and the beautiful landscapes with a three-year-old child (who is used to walking)

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jeepman
jeepman

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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Tinou74150
Tinou74150

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nothing in particular to report, everything is as described in the hike description

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dos65
dos65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

excellent shaded route, very pleasant in hot weather
the course took two hours, not 3 hours and 10 minutes

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