La Croix du Nivolet starting from Glaize

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A classic loop for a quick walk.
This route is well marked in both summer and winter.

Details

n°48239
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.86 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 3 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 266 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 271 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,545 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,292 m
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Photos

the famous cross
Above the clouds
Croix du Nivolet

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on the southern plateau.

(S/E) Head towards the large chalet called L'Aurore, which is written on it.

(1) Opposite this chalet, take the road on the left. Follow the road to an intersection.

(2) A small sign for Glaize will appear; turn right. A little further on, there will be another sign for "Chalets de Glaize".

(3) Then turn left. The marked path will cross a wide open area and head towards the forest.

(4) From the forest, the trail will begin to climb, emerging after about 45 minutes onto the ridge trail that connects Le Sire to the Croix du Nivolet.

(5) Turn left. It takes another 20 minutes to reach the Croix du Nivolet site. Panoramic views and an orientation table are available on site and also on the small shelter before arriving at the Croix.

(6) To return, take the ridge trail and follow it this time to the Chalets du Sire.

(7) Opposite the Chalets, look for the wide path on the right that descends to Glaize.

(8) Descend to the right to return to the Chalets de Glaize.

(3) Return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,297 m - South car park
  2. 1 : km 0.22 - alt. 1,295 m - L'Aurore
  3. 2 : km 0.63 - alt. 1,293 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 1.12 - alt. 1,297 m - Chalets de Glaize
  5. 4 : km 1.52 - alt. 1,301 m - The trail enters the forest
  6. 5 : km 3.33 - alt. 1,511 m - Junction with the ridge trail
  7. 6 : km 4.01 - alt. 1,518 m - CROIX DU NIVOLET
  8. 7 : km 6.06 - alt. 1,522 m - Chalets du Sire
  9. 8 : km 7.28 - alt. 1,319 m - Return to Glaize
  10. S/E : km 8.86 - alt. 1,297 m - South car park

Notes

Snowshoes are recommended if the trail has not been cleared, which is rare.

Worth a visit

La Féclaz is a very popular centre for cross-country skiing.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Poulet Hubert
Poulet Hubert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Route completed with crampons and some participants with snowshoes

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daboloz
daboloz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very parish specific to Brittany descent after point 7; and what a tough climb if you do this circuit in reverse!
The climb from the Sire car park is less difficult, but this route is parish specific to Brittany and very shady: great!
And the view from La Croix is as magnificent as ever.

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Retraité67
Retraité67
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant half-day hike. The view from the Croix du NIVOLET is magnificent.

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rolandflageollet
rolandflageollet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy, pleasant, loop possible by returning via the Chalet du Sire.
Reasonably busy.
Beautiful view, unique in the area due to the view of Belledonne

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bonnerem
bonnerem
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 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. The climb up to Nivolet via Glaise is steady. I found this route more enjoyable than the classic route that starts from Le Sire. What a joy to find yourself above the sea of clouds stretching as far as the eye can see. Snowshoes are not essential unless there has been recent snowfall.

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CAB743826
CAB743826

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-marked snowshoe trail (except for the starting point, Visorando was very helpful)
Almost entirely in deciduous forest, but magnificent views on arrival at La Croix

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bonnerem
bonnerem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant hike starting from the resort. From Chambéry, the Synchro Montagnes bus will drop you off in the centre of the resort. This means you don't need to take the car, which is worth bearing in mind. The forest trail is beautiful, with a mix of climbs and flat sections. You join the path coming from Le Sire and very quickly reach the summit of Le Nivolet. The view over the sea of clouds is magical.

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Chrij73
Chrij73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the loop in the direction indicated and on snowshoes. There wasn't much snow, but it was magical. The climb is steady, pleasant and through the woods. This climb is less frequented.
The descent is very busy. At the start of the return trip, you climb and descend to the chalet du sire. After that, the descent is quite steep in places. It took us three hours, including a break at the summit. What a view! It's completely safe and a must-do hike, but you have to be able to see.

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Fydel
Fydel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant hike but very, very busy

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fabienne.julien63@meyzieu
fabienne.julien63@meyzieu

A steep climb right from the start, but magnificent views from the cross...far too crowded on Sundays...best to go on a weekday...

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Acarv
Acarv

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,

great hike, I really don't regret it, it's well worth it.

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tchoumi
tchoumi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on a beautiful July day following the suggested route, much less crowded than the route starting directly from the Sire car park, except between points 6 (the cross) and 7 (the Sire), which are shared.
The view from the Nivolet is the ultimate reward for this walk, which is why it is best done on a clear day. The long wooded sections are very pleasant in hot weather.
Thanks to Bisserain73 for posting this enjoyable hike online.

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noisettes
noisettes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike completed with the help of a GPS.
Magnificent view from the summit.

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bonnevalsurarc
bonnevalsurarc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
Great hike with exceptional views of the cross below Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains. Don't miss the first viewpoint a little lower down on the Aix side.
It's really refreshing in the current climate.
Gilbert, Lydie, Yveline, Dominique

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Amaxcokl
Amaxcokl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb snowshoe hike with good snow and exceptional views from the top, passing above the sea of clouds. No danger. No orientation problems. However, you need to set off early, as the route is classic, easy and therefore busy.

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