Montvernier hairpin bends and the Bérold circuit from Pontamafrey

Park in the car park for the Bastion via ferrata, in Pontamafrey.

(S/E) Cross the field heading north, following the edge. Leave the houses on your left and head slightly uphill towards the Montvernier hairpin bends. A wooden sign indicates the via ferrata path; follow it uphill. You’ll reach a retaining wall for the road. Join the road via a short, steep section and step over the barrier to reach it. Alternatively, carry on straight ahead to see the start of the via ferrata, and join the road at the next hairpin bend, via a 20-metre stretch of very, very steep path. Then, follow the hairpin bends up to just below the Chapelle de la Balme.

(1) Leave the road and take the path just above it, heading up towards the chapel. A sign points to Montvernier. Visit the viewpoint at the chapel, then continue towards the Baroque church of Montvernier. Above the church, turn right onto the Chemin de la Mairie and continue along the tarmac road to Montpascal. You’ll reach a path junction.

(2) Carry on straight ahead along the gently sloping road. Cross the bridge over the Torrent de la Ravoire and you’ll come to another path junction immediately afterwards.

(3) Carry on straight ahead along the Route de Chaussy to reach the centre of Villaret d’en Bas.

(4) Follow the Chemin de la Chapelle, veering slightly to the left – this is also the Sentier Découverte – and, after a gentle climb, you’ll reach the hamlet of Les Granges. Then join the D77 at a small pass marked by a wooden cross. Continue on to the village of Le Ventour.

(5) Then turn right at the next crossroads, walk past the cemetery before reaching the summit of the Tour de Bérold. Continue to the tower and the priory.

(6) Turn back and head back to the hamlet of Villaret.

(4) Then turn left onto the Chemin des Moulins. Continue to the hamlet of Les Praz. Stay on this road and follow the path that leads off it to return to the crossroads you passed on the way out.

(3) Turn left, heading in the opposite direction to your outward journey. Cross the bridge and you will then reach the junction with the Route de Montpascal path.

(2) Turn left onto the path heading downhill. Then follow the right bank of the Torrent de la Ravoire at a distance until you reach it.

(7) Cross the stream and, via a series of hairpin bends and protected steep sections, join the Chemin des Sertours.

(8) Turn right onto this path, cross the torrent once more and you’ll soon be back at the car park for the Bastion via ferrata (S/E).

The final descent can be daunting but is secure.
(2) The walk can be significantly shortened by heading directly to (7).