The Nivolet Cross circuit from Feclaz

A circuit from Féclaz to the Nivolet Cross overlooking Chambéry.

Details

64490
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 338 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 337 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,538 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,292 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the car park in front of the Aurora Chalet (S), a cottage belonging to the FOL.
At the crossroads, take the D206a for about 500 m (sign for Chalet de Glaise, Cross de Nivolet) at the crossroads following (1) Turn right on the forest track leading to Chalets de Glaise.

(2) Pass by the track to the right and turn left through the pasture to reach the forest.
Then follow the yellow markings present on posts and on panels with a Green background and Yellow line (standard PR® trail markings: “Promenade et Randonnée” Walks and Hikes). Continue this PR® route for about 2 km before reaching a new crossroads.

(3) Turn left, the panel indicates, in green: Nivolet Cross 10 minutes, (and 20 min in Blue, but this is the time taken in winter with snowshoes), to then reach the cross.

(4) Start the return journey by the same route as far as the previous crossroads (3).

(3) Then take the road opposite in the direction of the Sire car park. The trail is also marked Yellow but the lines are on the trees. Stay in the forest for about 2 km before reaching the alpine chalets overlooking the Sire, continue on to the car park at the summer camp.

(5) Take the paved road that starts from La Féclaz. Stay on this road for 1 km, reach a left turn.

(6) Take the path on the right, join the track from the Chalets de Glaise, take it in a right turn. Then reach the chalets (2) and take the outbound path to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,300 m - Chalet de la FOL
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 1,293 m - D206a track junction
  3. 2 : km 1.06 - alt. 1,298 m - Chalets de Glaise
  4. 3 : km 3.32 - alt. 1,510 m - Croix de Nivolet crossroads
  5. 4 : km 4.04 - alt. 1,455 m - CROIX DU NIVOLET
  6. 5 : km 7.15 - alt. 1,409 m - Holiday camp car park
  7. 6 : km 8.15 - alt. 1,356 m - Crossroads, footpath
  8. S/E : km 9.94 - alt. 1,300 m - Chalet de la FOL

Notes

No water refill point, make sure you bring plenty as the woods are very warm here in summer.
The view from the Nivolet Cross over Chambery and Lake Bourget is a real bird’s eye view.
Belledonne is visible almost in its entirety as the view starts at the Grand Pic and ends at the Grands Moulins.

Worth a visit

Chambéry.
Aix les Bains.
Lake Bourget.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 123 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 7476645
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike with a gradual climb
Be careful in autumn, as lots of leaves hide the stones and rocks on the path and make it slippery
It is possible to shorten part of the return journey by taking a path on the right as you descend along the ski lift.

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User 27763746

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant hike. Many stony areas

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User 1125749

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We especially enjoyed the return trip via Le Sire and the view from up there, of course!

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Denis TT
Denis TT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Route mainly through forest.
Easy hike, no particular difficulty.
Gently sloping climb.
Beautiful view at the summit.

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User 19216986

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, well-marked trail. Almost the entire route is through forest. Fairly easy, but there are a few rocky sections that may be difficult for people with reduced mobility (knee pain, in particular)

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User 9273442

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Reliability of the description:
There is some confusion (at least for me) in point 5: "Take the paved road that starts from La Féclaz. Stay on this road for 1 km until you reach a left turn." In fact, the road starts from Le Sire and goes towards La Féclaz, right?

Ease of following the route:
Sometimes, between parts 2 and 3, there can be some confusion due to a lack of signposting, but in the middle of the forest, what description could overcome this problem?

In your opinion, was this route very busy?
The climb up to the cross (shaded, very pleasant) wasn't too busy (between 8 and 10 a.m. for me). But on the way back to Le Sire, it was really busy (inevitably in high season).

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User 10945420

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We only did the round trip from Chemin de la Glaise, but it was very nice. Almost entirely in the shade, the path climbs steadily and isn't very steep, but there are lots of stones on the trail.
The view from the top is magnificent and well worth the effort.
At one point on the left as you climb, there's a pretty little chasm to see, but don't get too close, of course.

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dede53
dede53

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
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 the shade! The Champs Élysées of the Bauges! But you understand why when you get to the cross!

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Laurca56
Laurca56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, mainly through woodland.

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User 24685865

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant climb to a sheltered spot to get into shape, followed by an exceptional panorama

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Inaya
Inaya

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike that starts in the woods and climbs steeply. But there was hardly anyone there and the natural surroundings were superb. Once at the top, there were stunning 360-degree views of the mountains and Lake Bourget. There were lots of people at the summit. The return journey starts back in the woods but very quickly changes to alpine pastures. This part is a little busier.
I recommend it. If it's busy at the top, it's for a reason...

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Eric2B
Eric2B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, exactly as described. The climb is gentle, through a beautiful alpine forest. The view from the Croix de Nivolet is spectacular. Much of the descent is also through woodland, which is perfect in hot weather. Make sure you wear good walking shoes and take plenty of water.

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mamiechristine
mamiechristine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, well marked with magnificent views from the cross.
The woodland trail is perfect for hikes in sunny, warm weather.

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Jadax42
Jadax42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, easy to follow and easy to do.
Nice view once you reach the Croix, still very busy even in the off-season.

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Tatalolo
Tatalolo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Unfortunately that day we were in the cloud layer and were unable to enjoy the view of the lake and mountains.

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