The Mandallaz peak loop from La Balme-de-Sillingy

de fr

On the north-western edge of the Annecy conurbation and a stone's throw from the Épagny shopping area, this well-marked forest trail offers a refreshing change of scenery. From the summit, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake, the mountains and the Fier valley as it winds its way through the countryside.

Technical sheet

n°282399
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 400 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 400 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 895 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 495 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

View
The priest's cave
Annecy and its lake
The rock and the maquis cave

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Balme-de-Sillingy cemetery.

(S/E) Walk back 50 metres towards the church. The trail markers begin at the north-west corner of the cemetery wall. Turn right and follow the path to the Grotte du Curé.

(1) Just after the priest's cave, after a hairpin bend, the path climbs up to the right towards the south.

(2) When you reach the fork with the return path, leave it on your left. Continue right towards the head of the Mandallaz. As you climb, leave a path on your right that leads to a viewpoint, then finish the climb along the ridges.

(3) Tête de la Mandallaz, the highest point of the walk, from where you can't see anything due to the tree cover, but continue along the path, turning right towards the "viewpoint" (signposted 150m).

(4) View of Annecy, the lake and the mountains. Descend to rejoin the path, which you take to the right towards the south-east.

(5) At the fork, turn left towards "Sur les Fartoz". Ignore the paths on either side and you will see the Grotte du Maquis on your right, near the rock of the same name, which served as a shelter for resistance fighters in 1944. Turn left to rejoin the path you took on the way up.

(2) Turn right downhill along the same route and return to the cemetery and its car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 495 m - Cemetery car park
  2. 1 : km 1.33 - alt. 635 m - The Priest's Cave
  3. 2 : km 1.87 - alt. 688 m - Fork in the path on the way there/back
  4. 3 : km 3.4 - alt. 891 m - Tête de la Mandallaz
  5. 4 : km 3.55 - alt. 893 m - View
  6. 5 : km 4.67 - alt. 739 m - Fork in the path "sur les Fartoz"
  7. S/E : km 7.62 - alt. 495 m - Cemetery car park

Practical information

- The hike is well marked with the usual Savoyard hiking signs (yellow arrows on a green background)
- The paths are in fairly good condition, despite a very wet June 2016.
- Watch out for mountain bikes hurtling down the path at high speed.

In the nearby area

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 44 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
guy038
guy038

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this hike on a Saturday morning. There weren't many people around. It's fairly easy and mainly takes place in the woods. You have to seek out the viewpoints, which are magnificent (300 metres after the start of the circular, follow the sign on the right for 200 metres).
At the end of the circular, the rocks and cave in the scrubland are well worth seeing.

Automatically translated

User 27452102

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Top hike

Automatically translated

kaolak1
kaolak1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A rather pleasant route, you encounter many trail runners, which may be a concern for hikers.

A little disappointed because the view of Lake Annecy is quite small and not very clear.
It's a shame there's no view of Lake Balme de Sillingy, but overall it's still a pleasant hike

Automatically translated

User 26078396

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Nice walk through the forest all the way, but the view was disappointing as it was hidden by trees! The end of the climb was a bit steep for children (aged 4)

Automatically translated

User 17204438

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful hike, very shady depending on the season. Otherwise, everything was great

Automatically translated

Gaël195
Gaël195
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Superb route! A hike through the woods offering some beautiful views. However, the time is greatly overestimated: I completed the circuit in just under two hours... Admittedly, I only took very short breaks, but still! I didn't see many people despite it being a beautiful sunny Sunday. This route is accessible to all, but make sure you wear good shoes for the climbs, which can be quite steep at times.
In terms of figures, I recorded 8 km and 455 m of elevation gain.
I recommend this route for anyone looking for a short, easy hike that is very well signposted.

Automatically translated

Ismaël 74
Ismaël 74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Early season hike with 430 m of elevation gain over 3.5 km starting from La Balme de Sillingy. The view from the summit over Annecy, its mountains and part of the lake is lovely. In bad weather, the ground quickly becomes soggy.

Automatically translated

Normann74
Normann74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Easy trails accessible to all and very well marked. It took us 4 hours to complete the loop, taking our time.

Automatically translated

Migigi
Migigi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very good tour!

Automatically translated

Geugeu
Geugeu
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Approximately two hours to climb to the top of Mandallaz, including the Belvédère detour (which overlooks the village of Balme de Sillingy and offers views of the Savoie mountains), and one hour to descend. This hike must be lovely in winter, as there are more unobstructed views through the bare trees

Automatically translated

PaChavent
PaChavent

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Everything was perfect.
However, the journey time is shorter than stated: around 2½ hours (and I'm not very fit)

Automatically translated

andre.chesneau
andre.chesneau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very interesting route in terms of distance and elevation, with magnificent views and varied terrain in the forest and at the summit.
Suitable for all the family, including teenagers.

Automatically translated

HELENE❄️
HELENE❄️

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes

Family walk

Automatically translated

Arclusaz
Arclusaz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route, entirely shaded, which must be very pleasant in hot weather. However, there are few views, except at the summit. The time indicated is overestimated.
Easy. No problem with children.

Automatically translated

Bellaciao
Bellaciao

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful forest trail, well marked, with a few nice climbs. Two interesting viewpoints make the route more attractive. I think the time indicated is overestimated. I recommend this trail to those who enjoy walking in the woods.

Automatically translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The paths of Angely

Visorando member
Les chemins d'Angely
↔8.23 km ↗+219 m ↘-216 m ◔3h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Vaulx (Haute-Savoie) (Haute-Savoie)
An easy family walk through the valleys around the commune of Vaulx. On a clear day, Mont Blanc is omnipresent and the walk offers a wide view of most of the Savoyard massifs (Bornes, Aravis, Bauges) as well as the southern Jura (Colombier massif) and further south towards the Chartreuse and the Belledonne range.

Walking Tower in the woods of Loye

Visorando member
↔4.85 km ↗+86 m ↘-78 m ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Nonglard (Haute-Savoie)
A very family-friendly, rural hike through fields and woods. No particular difficulty. Lots of variations in the woods. Can also be done by mountain bike, but be careful as there may be fallen trees. Beautiful views of the Montagne d'Âge, the Mandallaz and the Montagne du Gros Foug, which separates us from the Rhône valley.

Walking Circular in the woods of Cuvat and Pringy

Visorando member
Boucle dans les bois de Cuvat et Pringy
↔9.05 km ↗+247 m ↘-250 m ◔3h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Cuvat (Haute-Savoie)
A family walk in a circular route around the small village of Cuvat, through the countryside and undergrowth, along the Viéran and Genon streams. Moderator's warning on 25/08/2020: Please note! A GPS device may be useful for this walk (see reviews).

Walking Above the Gorges du Fier 1

Visorando member
↔6.71 km ↗+150 m ↘-152 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lovagny (Haute-Savoie)
A short, easy hike to complement your visit to the Gorges du Fier and/or Montrottier Castle.

Walking Above the Gorges du Fier 2

Visorando member
Au-dessus des Gorges du Fier 2
↔8.53 km ↗+205 m ↘-207 m ◔3h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lovagny (Haute-Savoie)
A short, easy hike that complements a visit to the Fier Gorges and/or Montrottier Castle.

Walking Circuit des Onges from Hauteville-sur-Fier

Visorando member
↔10.83 km ↗+268 m ↘-262 m ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Hauteville-sur-Fier (Haute-Savoie)
The route passes through the countryside, following little-used paths and roads, and is extremely well signposted. You can't go wrong if you follow the signs. Lovely view of La Tournette when arriving and leaving Vaulx (highest point of the route).

Walking The Chosal and Copponex loop and the Land Art circuit

Visorando member
La boucle de Chosal et Copponex et le circuit de Land Art
↔9.87 km ↗+238 m ↘-232 m ◔3h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Copponex (Haute-Savoie)
Walk starting from the Chosal farm, including the Land Art trail and its twenty or so installations in the heart of nature.

Walking Strolling through the old town of Annecy

Visorando member
Déambulations dans la vieille ville d'Annecy
↔5.01 km ↗+28 m ↘-28 m ◔1h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Annecy (Haute-Savoie)
An urban circuit dedicated to water, exploring the narrow streets and passageways of the "Venice of the Alps". A rich heritage and beautiful views of the lake and surrounding peaks await you.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.