Gruffy walks

The Semnoz is not just a gentle summit visited by car. Here is an interesting and varied route from Viuz-la-Chiésaz, with a steady climb through the forest, caves to visit and cliffs to overcome, leading to an alpine pasture that takes you to the Crêt de Châtillon, with sweeping views of the Alps and Pre-Alps.

Right from the start, there is a steep climb from Cusy to reach the Chalet du Trousset. The route then mostly follows beautiful trails and paths through the woods, offering lovely views in places. The Visorando app is highly recommended.

This walk takes you round this mountain, situated between the Semnoz to the north and the Revard massif to the south. Initially, you’ll follow theGRP® trail, which will take you to the summit (Crêt de la Dolca) and on to the Col de la Cochette (orientation table). Moderator’s note : reviews of this walk indicate that from (14) onwards, the path no longer exists. The only alternative is to follow the D911 for 4 km. See details in the description

This outing was completed on Nordic touring skis.

This is an easy hike, suitable for families, offering beautiful views of the valley and surrounding mountain ranges.Note: this hike can also be done on touring skis or snowshoes: if using snowshoes, most of the route can be done on groomed trails.

A beautiful, easy hike on the Semnoz plateau. Numerous panoramic views throughout the hike.

From the resort to the plateau. Discover a hidden viewpoint in the forest, which is not signposted.

A very short walk, perhaps just long enough for a break, offering lovely views of the Chéran and a chance to discover the medieval houses of the village. If you have a little more time, visit the Shoemaking Museum.

The Saint-Jacques Towers are a group of three monoliths that have broken away from the cliff and continue to slide 2 to 3 cm per year. The suggested route allows you to see them from different angles, from above and below. Along the way, note the paved road and the massive log barns.

Starting from Chainaz-Les-Frasses, a circular route passing by Fésigny Castle and returning to the village via the hamlet of Bocquerat and Les Monts. Throughout the route, in good weather, there are numerous views of the Dent du Chat, a (small) section of Lake Bourget, the Semnoz, the Tours Saint-Jacques and the Montagne de Banges.

A circular route with varied landscapes around the old village of Balmont.

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.

Crossing the Semnoz between the villages of Leschaux and Machevaz.

A peaceful circular route for a short half-day hike, culminating in the discovery of the Cascade du Voile de la Mariée, whose drapery can vary depending on the flow of the Nant de l’Eau Salée stream.

This circular route starting from Saint-Offenge allows you to admire the rocks of Château Larron and then the panoramic view from the summit of La Dolca. Beautiful views of Lake Bourget and Montagne du Chat from Chalet Trousset. There are also lovely views from the Golet du Pont.

Une jolie balade dans la forêt du Semnoz, montagne surplombant le Lac d'Annecy sur sa rive Ouest, avec quelques échappées visuelles intéressantes sur ce lac. Cette balade peut être réalisée par temps chaud et ensoleillé, la totalité du parcours étant à couvert.

From the car park at the church in Saint Offenge-dessous, this circular route leads south through countryside, forest and hamlets. Alternating between roads with very little traffic, paths and trails, it offers some beautiful views.

When the peaks are shrouded in cloud or snow, this is an unpretentious hike through the Arith countryside. At the start of the hike, the Prérouge Cave and the resurgence near the mill are beautiful points of interest. You will also see beautiful houses and old barns.

The Roc des Bœufs ridge offers magnificent views of the Bauges peaks and the Annecy basin.

From the spectacular canyon at the Pont du Diable, this hike takes you to the sawmills, one of which has been restored by local heritage enthusiasts. The return route takes you through the pretty village of Bellecombe-en-Bauges

A very beautiful walk through fields and woods, around the village of Montagny-les-Lanches, with very little walking on roads, but offering stunning views of the Semnoz to the east and the Monts de l’Albanais to the east. Very pleasant in spring and autumn, but make sure you bring plenty of water in summer. As you pass through the hamlets, you’ll see beautifully renovated farms, adorned with flowers and well-maintained.

A snowshoe hike enhanced by a stop at the Creux de Lachat refuge. It's always an opportunity to meet someone, even if it's just the caretaker. Panoramic views of Les Bauges and, further away, Les Aravis and Mont Blanc.

This circular route allows you to explore the north-eastern tip of the Revard Plateau. The gentle, undulating terrain offers views of the Bauges massif and Lake Bourget, and, at the highest point, a wider vista of the Alpine arc and Mont Blanc.A short detour to the Autel du Curé will take you in the footsteps of the Reign of Terror in Savoie.

A short round-trip walk to discover two very pretty spots, following paths through the woodland. Update: a review dated 10/08/2026 indicates that the path between (S/E) and (1) is eroded. However, it is still possible to visit the site via a short walk starting from the car park located at (1).

A lovely walk exploring the Crosagny marshes, the bread ovens and the footpaths on the hills above Albens. A walk with no particular difficulties apart from the distance.

Lake Mariet owes its existence to the impermeable glacial moraines of Montagne de Bange. It’s an easy, short walk that takes you through the mountain pastures, dotted with numerous well-maintained chalets. Suitable for beginners and young people given the elevation gain and distance. Don’t go looking too hard for a ‘lake’ – it’s more of a pond covering a few hundred square metres at the northern end of the mountain pasture.

A pleasant and easy hike in the heart of the Bauges Natural Park, mainly through the woods, allowing you to discover the Mariet mountain pastures dotted with pretty chalets and a small lake... a touch of water in a sea of flower-filled meadows. GPS recommended!

The Crêt de la Dolca via La Revêche and Les Trois Bornes. This description leads to the Crêt de la Dolca; this peak is not marked as such on the IGN map—there is only an altitude of 1434—but on the ground it is signposted with this name. This is a route that often strays from the marked paths, so you really need to use the map to find your way.

Large circular loop visiting the areas between Montagne de Bange and the Nordic areas of Saint-François-de-Sales. The ascent is via Mariet dessus to Creux de Lachat, then via the refuge, a climb to Les Pendants and back down via the ridge and its orientation table to Col de la Cochette. Climb back up to La Culaz and take a short detour to discover a curious altar dedicated to a refractory priest and a cross in the middle of the forest, before descending to the Chalet de la Plate and further down to the GR® trail to climb back up to the Tourbière des Creusates and the Croix des Bergers. The return journey is still long through the forest and then down the seemingly endless descent from La Plate to Montagny.A varied route between forests and mountain pastures, don't overlook the number of ascents and descents, but the views are well worth the effort.

This wide circular loop explores several features of the Montagne de Bange, including the Pic de Bange, the natural arch, Lac du Mariet and the Crête de la Revêche at Dolca and then at the Creux de Lachat. As the route mainly follows forest paths and, in part, mountain pastures, unobstructed views are only available at the top of the cliffs and at the Crêt de Dolca. Whilst there are no technical difficulties, several sections are off-trail and require particular care with regard to navigation.

A circular route allowing you to quickly gain altitude to visit the cows and horses that occupy the high pastures in the summer. Passes by a few lookout points offering beautiful views.The Visorando app is useful for certain sections.

This short walk starts in the centre of Vieugy, passes through residential neighbourhoods and then winds its way through the pleasant woodland overlooking the village. The return route takes you through “Vieux Vieugy”, where the former commune was established, which was incorporated into Seynod in 1965 and then into Annecy in 2020.

This route offers stunning panoramic views of the Bauges and Mont Blanc on one side, and the Revard and the Albanais on the other. With an ascent and descent through the cool forest and a mountain pasture plateau at the top offering magnificent views, this route has many attractions. The route presents no technical difficulties. Note that there is a section with a cable after the Mermet chalets, which is not particularly difficult.

Route from Saint-Offenge-Dessus via the Col de la Cochette and Château de Larron An easy hike, mostly through woodland, with a short stretch across mountain pastures.

A hike offering splendid views of Lake Annecy and the villages of the Bauges Natural Park.

Please note that the descent along the Chemin des Lézards can be technical depending on the terrain and weather conditions. Furthermore, the junction onto this path is difficult to find.Highlights of this hike: cool forest air, walking along beautiful forest paths, and a few panoramic views of Lake Annecy

A short, easy walk along a pleasant, shaded path offering two beautiful views of Lake Annecy.

A family hike near Rumilly that allows you to discover the right bank of the Chéran and the Albanais valleys around Boussy. The name of the circuit comes from the Croison de Boussy, a local variety of small apples that is said to have been introduced to the region by Napoleon's grognards.

A loop with a variety of landscapes to discover the lakes of Lescheraines, the banks of the Chéran and the beautiful Pissieux waterfall. The route then climbs higher for beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.

A hike that’s very well-known locally and as beautiful as ever! You set off from Mont-devant to reach Le Golet first, then follow theGRP® trail through the Bauges Massif with stunning views to reach the Col de Bornette. Finally, you’ll climb the Crêt du Char to admire the view over the Bauges, passing through Le Mollard, which offers a magnificent view of Lake Annecy. This hike completes two circular loops around the Col de Bornette. Depending on your fitness level, you can shorten the route by doing just one circular loop or by focusing on the view from Le Mollard.

A pleasant hike through the forest covering the slopes of Semnoz, a mountain overlooking Lake Annecy on its western shore. Superb views of the lake and its surroundings are on the menu.

A pleasant snowshoe route, which often offers varied views in open terrain.

This is an extension of the snowshoe circuit described this winter. The Roc de Four Magnin is not named on IGN maps, but the 1645m point is marked. If necessary, here are its GPS coordinates: UTM E 0280 525; N 5069 500.

This is a lovely route with beautiful views, which can be enjoyed in both summer and winter. It can be done in either direction. This is a very popular area.

A circular loop that follows communal paths and some sections of quiet roads between Marcellaz-Albanais and Montagny-les-Lanches. Numerous panoramic views of the Jura, Bornes les Aravis and Bauges mountains.

This summit (1,645 m) is little known in Les Bauges. The route is partly aerial and off-trail, requiring you to tackle a few rocks without too much difficulty. The summit offers views of Les Bauges, La Tournette, Lake Annecy, Mont Blanc and more.

A beautiful, long circular loop around Montagne du Charbon. Starting from Petit Reposoir (Bellecombe-en-Bauges), climb to Col de Bornette then take the path carved into the cliff. At the Refuge de la Combe, climb to the Pointe de Banc-Plat for your first 360° viewpoint, descend to the Chalets du Rosay and Planay, then climb up the opposite side to the Charbonnet. Follow the ridge to climb the Dent des Portes, your second 360° viewpoint, before returning via the classic route through the Golet de Doucy.

This is a snowshoe hike on safe and easily accessible slopes; only the last slope is steeper and more difficult if there is no trail. The view along the ridge is extensive, over Les Bauges, Les Bornes and Belledonne in the distance.

A beautiful loop with views of the magnificent Lake Annecy

A walk through the Semnoz Forest takes you to the ‘Grande Jeanne’, ‘Gélinottes’ and ‘Rochers des Becs’ viewpoints. These viewpoints offer views over the Sacconges plain and the Albanais region. It’s a very enjoyable outing in summer as the route is almost entirely through the forest.

Starting from the hamlet of Vovray, this is an easy walk, mostly shaded, with superb views of the town of Seynod and the Annecy basin.

Walk through the forest, sometimes on a trail, sometimes on a forest track, then emerge in the mountain pastures of the Chalets de la Clusaz and reach the sublime viewpoint of the Tour des Ébats, where you can admire Lake Bourget, the Chaîne de l'Épine, the Bauges, the Tournette and, in the distance, Mont Blanc. Then, follow the ridge to reach the highest point of Le Revard, the Tour de l'Angle Est, with its magnificent panorama. Return via the Crémaillére trail.

Discover the old town of Annecy from one of the car parks in the Semnoz Massif after walking along the lake shore. This first part of the hike is not very relaxing but allows you to observe the birds, which are not very shy, and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. After a walk along the city's canals, return through the quieter forest on the ridge, passing by two viewpoints that unfortunately face west.

An easy hike in the heart of Les Bauges, but you will need to take your hands out of your pockets for certain sections along the ridge. Panoramic views of the surrounding peaks: Trélod, Dent de Pleuven, Dent des Portes, Mont Colombier.

A medium-altitude mountain in the heart of Les Bauges, offering a beautiful ridge walk and, in good weather, views of the main peaks of the massif.

A lovely walk, mainly through woodland, which takes you up the slopes and across the Revard plateau. Throughout this route, there are beautiful views over the Aix-les-Bains basin and Lake Bourget. The Chemin du Golet de la Pierre, the most direct route to Mont Revard, can be challenging, with an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 metres over the first three kilometres. Make sure you’re wearing suitable footwear and are fit enough to tackle this walk.

Hike to reach one of the 14 "2000" peaks in the Bauges massif, where you can enjoy a superb 360° panorama.

This hike involves climbing Mont Julioz from its eastern slope. The first two parts of the route, along a track and then a winding path, are not difficult. The last part, on a rocky, shaded ridge, requires attention and a good sense of direction. You can go all the way to the summit or stop at a nearby secondary summit: from both places, the view of the surrounding valleys and peaks is superb.