The Fairy Cave from Brison-Saint-Innocent

de fr

A family walk taking around two hours there and back, including a visit to the cave. An easier alternative to the existing hike, the Combe aux Moines and the Grotte des Fées, which is a bit long for young children. Starts from the last accessible car park on the Chemin de la Grotte des Fées

Following comments, the difficulty has been changed to "Medium", which wasn’t my initial impression as the walk was done with young children. Take particular care on the Chemin du Singe.

⚠️ To reach the car park at the start of the Grotte des Fées, from Aix-Les-Bains, follow the “Chemin du Ponsonnet” to the left of the D48, then turn right onto the “Chemin de la grotte des fées”.

Details

n°3020427
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.49 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 906 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 932 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,067 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,191 ft
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Photos

View from the Fairy Cave
View from the Fairy Cave

Description of the walk

Park in the last available car park.

(S/E) Take the Grotte des Fées path, which starts just above the car park. No particular difficulties along the route.

(1) Continue to the left, leaving the ruins of the Gigot farm on your right, and keep left at the next junction to reach the cave.

(2) Grotte des Fées: bring your mobile phone or, better still, torches to explore the cave. There are no difficulties inside, but watch your head as you make your way through. Enjoy the view of Brison-Saint-Innocent and the northern part of Lac du Bourget.

Continue along the path heading south. Please note, the return via the Singe trail with views of the lake can be a bit tricky for younger children, so you’ll need to help them. One section seems dangerous to me, near the climbing routes at Brison-Saint-Innocent (risk of falling): it’s located roughly halfway along the route on the right.

Head down to the Chemin des Combes.

(3) Continue to the left until you reach the first houses. The car park is about fifty metres away, turning left (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,224 ft - Car park on Chemin de la Grotte des Fées
  2. 1 : mi 1.22 - alt. 1,959 ft - Junction, turn left
  3. 2 : mi 1.56 - alt. 1,975 ft - Grotte des Fées
  4. 3 : mi 2.19 - alt. 1,286 ft - Chemin des Combes
  5. S/E : mi 2.49 - alt. 1,224 ft - Car park on Chemin de la Grotte des Fées

Notes

Warning: this hike is rated Easy, but please take care at a potentially dangerous section on the Sentier du Singe.

Walking shoes are recommended for the descent via the Sentier du Singe.

Please note that there are four geocaches on the outward route for the children to enjoy.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
christine J.
christine J.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk.
Lovely view.
It had rained in the morning, so the descent was a bit slippery on the stones.

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RICHARD Chloé
RICHARD Chloé

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

After reading several reviews of this walk, I decided to start the walk by tackling the climb up the Sentier des Singes. The climb is indeed extremely tough, with lots of large rocks that you have to scramble over. In wet weather, this path must be very slippery, especially as there’s a cliff right next to it.
The return route is very easy, consisting entirely of concrete. There are some lovely views once you reach the cave.
The walk took 1 hour 40 minutes.

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Naindigene
Naindigene

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In the direction indicated, you start the climb on a small asphalt road. For the less experienced, do this loop in the opposite direction to tackle the uphill sections.
If you have less than 2 hours, this loop is perfect.

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User 3663458

Hello,
You were right to ask, because I confused it with another hike I did on the same day, but in the afternoon!
I've edited my comment accordingly, because on this one, everything was easy to follow.

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Larigolade
Larigolade

Hello,
I added this hike a few years ago. Could you tell me where you encountered the bushes? I didn't see any on this route originally
Thanks and have a nice day!

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User 3663458
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 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 short hike. No real difficulty, although I imagine the descent over the rocks can be a little slippery when it rains. The route is very easy to follow.
I did the route without rushing and took two-thirds of the time indicated.
There's a nice little cave with a beautiful view of the lake.
It was a pleasant surprise, as I had some time to fill before hitting the road again.
PS: I saw a comment that referred to a "very technical hike", but to be honest, I didn't understand what that meant. Obviously, it's not a circuit around the lake, there are a few slight slopes, but nothing that would cause any problems unless you have particular concerns.

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clarissebnt
clarissebnt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

pleasant hike, but be careful on rainy days or the day after, as the ground can be slippery with dead leaves, etc. If you take the loop in the suggested direction, the descent is much harder, so be careful of sore knees and bring walking sticks. Otherwise, beautiful views and great access to the cave. The route is shaded all the way, which is great

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LucPaire
LucPaire

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, very technical for city dwellers. Nice, well-maintained woods with a paved path that is not accessible by car, so we had to leave the car in the car park, which was a shame

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pascalefaure
pascalefaure

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike starting from the village opposite the town hall to avoid parking difficulties. Route taken in reverse (the monkey trail is easier going uphill than downhill, in my opinion). Definitely not to be attempted on a rainy day (smooth rocks, which are slippery but not a problem in dry weather).

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bantelas
bantelas
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Departure on 12/07/2024. Please note that this hike goes up one side and down the other. It is not that easy, especially the descent, which is very steep and slippery. There is a beautiful view from the cave, which is well worth the effort to get there

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Claire1707
Claire1707

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, with some beautiful climbs. The starting point is not easy to find (car park)

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Tenebreuse74
Tenebreuse74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This short hike is ideal for warming up or as a brisk walk before tackling longer routes with more elevation gain. It is pleasant and almost always shaded.
The view is truly beautiful. Enjoy a relaxing or energetic walk, or a fun discovery for younger visitors.

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ronan.vilaine
ronan.vilaine
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy route to follow, with signposts. Quite bucolic.
Completed in 2 hours and 20 minutes with three children, including a 7-year-old, so at a moderate pace.
We followed the suggested route. The trail is shaded or semi-shaded.
Start -> point 1 ;: quite challenging, as the climb is continuous and there are few clearings.
Point 1 to point 2: magnificent view of the valley and the lake.
Fairy cave: the fairies had gone shopping, but the children loved exploring the cave, which is several dozen metres long. Outside, there is a magnificent view of the valley and Lake Bourget.
Point 2 to point 3: I can confirm the technical difficulty, especially in wet weather: steep slope, uneven path, stones, roots, rocks... Hiking boots are essential and you need to proceed slowly, especially with children. Some beautiful views along the route.
Point 3 to starting point: no difficulty.

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A fairly busy route on 1 May 2024.

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Florette2111
Florette2111

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At this time of year, when there aren't many people around and there isn't too much snow in the resort, it's really nice! Not to mention the view and the wonderful, magical cave. In short, it's a must-do!

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