The Cross of Sainte-Catherine via the ruins of the convent and the valley

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.

Details

243544
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 271 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 271 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 776 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 505 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: In the municipality of Annecy, from the Vovray industrial estate, head towards the hamlet of Vovray and park in the car park on the left at the foot of the forest track.

(S/E) Go up the forest track at the top of the car park and follow the Chemin de Sainte-Catherine, marked in yellow.

(1) Leave the main path and turn right to the ruins of the convent (picnic tables).

(2) From the convent clearing, continue towards three steps and a path that climbs a few dozen metres up the hillside.

(3) Follow the ridge line to the right until you reach the Croix de Sainte-Catherine. The view over Seynod and Annecy allows you to appreciate how the urban area has developed.

(4) Retrace your steps to the previous crossroads.

(3) Go up the sunken path along the south-western edge. Continue until you reach La Grangette (ruins at the edge of the path).

(5) Continue to the end of the clearing, then turn left and join a track.

(6) Turn left and join the forest track going uphill (Chemin de Sainte-Catherine). Descend via this forest track, passing the intersection of the circular.

(1) Continue along the same route as on the way up to reach the hamlet of Vovray (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 505 m - Parking at the foot of the forest road
  2. 1 : km 1.27 - alt. 685 m - Fork in the road
  3. 2 : km 1.48 - alt. 692 m - Ruins of Sainte-Catherine Convent
  4. 3 : km 1.59 - alt. 706 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 1.78 - alt. 708 m - Cross and view of Annecy
  6. 5 : km 2.47 - alt. 748 m - Ruins of La Grangette
  7. 6 : km 2.89 - alt. 776 m - Track on the left
  8. S/E : km 5 - alt. 505 m - Parking at the foot of the forest road

Notes

Don't forget your water supply.
Picnic tables at the ruins of Sainte-Catherine Convent.

Worth a visit

Interesting vegetation, including wild garlic, lily of the valley and many other species, as well as mushrooms in season.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
PZ
PZ

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

more of a walk than a hike, but very pleasant nonetheless.
no difficulty

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jemarche72
jemarche72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very pleasant walk through deciduous woodland, without any major difficulties.

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randonanard
randonanard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice forest route, done yesterday in good weather, not very difficult except for the first kilometre uphill.

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Magali7426
Magali7426

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and peaceful stroll under the trees of the forest.

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Zoé et co
Zoé et co

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk in the forest. Ideal for families.
Simple and reliable route, no hesitation
Please note that depending on the weather in the preceding days, the route may be very muddy

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chinal
chinal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The descriptions are clear, which is much appreciated.

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GOGO
GOGO

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, peaceful walk, ideal for a hot afternoon. Short distance, gentle slopes and, best of all, 98% of the route is shaded. The view from the Sainte Catherine cross is interesting.

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NadineG1964
NadineG1964

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Path a little muddy in places and shaded.
But beautiful views and picnic in the sun on a table near the ruins of the convent
Nice walk

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Kieranbesson
Kieranbesson

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Relatively long climb from the start, but not very steep, on a wide path
Beautiful view at the Sainte Catherine cross
I recommend continuing on to La Beauverie to extend the climb a little, 1.5km round trip, with a very quiet place to eat
A very interesting hike in any case

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Christophe M 74
Christophe M 74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A really nice short hike in Semnoz.
No difficulty. The only "trick" (we did it counterclockwise) is the start on the left as you walk along a clearing at the end of the circular, which you mustn't miss.
Load the route onto your iPhone and with Iphégénie from IGN, it's easy to find.
The slope is a bit steep at the start/finish, so don't forget to stretch :-)

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solokoy
solokoy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice walk. Uphill from the start

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jeepman
jeepman

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk in Semnoz with a beautiful view of the town of Seynod

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lubiana84
lubiana84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant walk without any major difficulties and, above all, shaded throughout.
Great view of Seynod.

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Christian CHAVANNE
Christian CHAVANNE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A pleasant walk to get back into exercise

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evelyne74150
evelyne74150

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Great walk, well signposted

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