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Start from the car park in Lovettaz.
(S) Take the stony path that climbs between the meadows, then through the woods, towards the Doria waterfall and then the Trou de la Doriaz (which you will see on the way back).
(1) When you reach a crossroads with four paths, take the first one on your left, which forms a hairpin bend with the path you came up.
You are now below the cliff known as "Rocher de Charvetan", where there is a famous via ferrata that ends to the west at the Croix de Nivolet.
Continue climbing, following the markings.
(2) As you leave the forest, you will come to a sloping lawn and the hamlet of Nivolet. Go back up (well-marked trail) keeping to the right to reach the Pas de L'Echelle.
(3) As its name suggests, this is a short climb on rungs fixed into the rock, preceded by a few steps secured by a cable.
At the end of the Pas, climb up to the left to the Croix du Nivolet.
(4) From the cross, enjoy panoramic views of Chambéry, Lac du Bourget, La Dent du Chat, Belledonne, Le Granier and La Chartreuse.
Descend into the woods on the same slope as the ascent until you reach a picnic area (a few scattered tables and a hut). Take a path that descends steadily, parallel to the cliff line (eastward).
Several secondary paths open up to the right and left. Ignore them and keep heading east.
(5) At a fork at around 1230m, take the path on the left.
There are no precise indications, so you'll have to judge for yourself.
(If you miss this fork, don't worry. At the end of the path, turn right towards Le Col de la Doriaz. You will be back on the route!)
If you have taken the right route, you will arrive at the path leading to the Col de la Doriaz on your right and the Grange de la Paleu. On your left, you can picnic in the surrounding meadows while admiring the view.
(6) Follow the signs (south-west) to reach the Col de la Doriaz.
(7) At the pass, take the path that descends to your right and follows the cliffs.
When you reach the Doria stream, cross the concrete footbridge.
(8) Climb up the other bank, which will take you back to the crossroads you saw earlier (1).
Be careful, as this section includes some exposed passages.
Turn right and follow the signs for Via ferrata Jules Carret. Once you have passed the start of the via ferrata, continue along the path which will take you to the foot of the waterfall and the Trou de la Doria (safety cables) in a few dozen metres.
(9) Retrace your steps to the concrete footbridge (8) above the Doriaz.
Take the path that descends the valley on the left bank.
There are numerous zigzags.
Look for a sign indicating the point "776m".
On your right, another footbridge crosses the stream.
Cross it and follow the path that takes you back to Lovettaz and the car park (E).
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