The Dolca circular loop starting from Saint-Offenge-dessous

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.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 754 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 749 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,434 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 691 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park by the roadside just after Saint-Offenge-dessous.

(S/E) Take the Chemin de Cermiller towards Saint-Offenge-dessus. In the hamlet of Les Suavets, continue along the road that climbs to the left and quickly becomes a dirt track. Join the forest track.

(1) Cross it and take the path opposite, slightly to the right. You will reach another track running parallel to the previous one.

(2) Turn right onto the track, then after a few metres take the path leading uphill to the left. You will reach the Château Larron crossroads.

(3) Continue straight ahead to reach the viewpoint over the cliffs of Château Larron.

(4) Return to the previous crossroads.

(3) Turn left onto the path, stay on it at the next junction and reach the Creux de Lachat junction.

(5) Turn left onto theGRP® trail of the Massif des Bauges. Continue uphill to quickly reach the junction leading to La Dolca.

(6) Follow the small path on the right to reach the highest point of this hike in a meadow covered with yellow gentians. Take the opportunity to admire the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.
Return to the junction via the same route.

(6) Take theGRP® on the right and arrive at the Trois Bornes junction.

(7) Continue left on theGRP® towards La Croisette and Chalet Trousset. Reach the hairpin bend at a place called La Croisette.

(8) Turn right and continue downhill to reach the Chalet Trousset.

(9) Head towards Saint-Offenge-dessous, pass the Golet du Pont before reaching the junction leading to Pra des Mottes.

(10) Turn right onto the downhill path; be careful as there is no signpost. Join the forest track at Pra des Mottes.

(11) Cross it twice in succession. Cross it once more, staying on the path to reach the Chemin du Cermiller and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 691 m - Chemin de Cermiller car park
  2. 1 : km 1.35 - alt. 926 m - Forest track
  3. 2 : km 1.99 - alt. 1,033 m - Forest track 2
  4. 3 : km 3.1 - alt. 1,265 m - Château Larron
  5. 4 : km 3.65 - alt. 1,278 m - Viewpoint
  6. 5 : km 4.74 - alt. 1,315 m - Creux de Lachat
  7. 6 : km 5.72 - alt. 1,417 m - La Dolca
  8. 7 : km 6.89 - alt. 1,365 m - Les Trois Bornes
  9. 8 : km 7.95 - alt. 1,250 m - La Croisette
  10. 9 : km 8.88 - alt. 1,115 m - Chalet du Trousset (1109 m)
  11. 10 : km 10.54 - alt. 999 m - Pra des Mottes junction
  12. 11 : km 11.06 - alt. 848 m - Pra des Mottes
  13. S/E : km 12.46 - alt. 691 m - Chemin de Cermiller car park

Notes

A fairly difficult climb from Saint-Offenge-dessus; the circular route would be easier in the opposite direction despite a very steep section between (10) and (11). There are two chalets along the way: at Creux de Lachat and Chalet Trousset.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
bibilavoudonc
bibilavoudonc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful hike, quite challenging for us.
Most of the hike was in the forest, which was nice as it was very hot that day.
There were very few signs along the way, so it was great to follow Visorando on the GPS.
Good exercise.

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User 3358419

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hi everyone, I did this hike last weekend (at the end of May), which was very hot, and we enjoyed the almost permanent shade of the route (although this was to the detriment of the views). The Trousset refuge is very well equipped. I'd definitely recommend it!

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claude.gaillard
claude.gaillard

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It is sometimes difficult to reconcile these explanations with the paths before our eyes, because even though we shouldn’t mention it, signposting isn’t always there

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kaolak1
kaolak1

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

I reckon a hike here in the summer must be lovely, as the route is mainly through woodland.

The view is lovely from Château Larron, but don’t expect a view from the top of La Dolca as you can’t see a thing ^^

At Golet du Pont, the view is wide open and it’s absolutely stunning.

Overall, I really enjoyed this route!

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PascaLyon
PascaLyon

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short walk. Lots of forest paths. A few lovely views.

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aekpc
aekpc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The "summit" isn't particularly prominent, but the walk is pleasant.

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Alfred70
Alfred70

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.
The headstone is situated slightly set back just before you reach point 5 (it is the gravestone of someone who wished to be buried there).
It’s true that with all the footpaths and forest tracks, it can be a bit tricky to find your way around, especially as new ones are constantly being created due to logging operations.
Enjoy your walks.
Kind regards

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really good and interesting walk. On a hot day, the route offers plenty of shelter from the sun, except between "5" and "6" and after "11", as you approach the finish. Having a picnic at the Chalet du Trousset is very pleasant.
We got a bit lost in two places:
As we approached “5”, we couldn’t find the marker,
Around "11", we think there are "a few more" forest tracks than the one shown on the map.

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