Le Golet, Col de Bornette and Crêt du Char from Mont devant

By car, head towards Mont-devant. At the junction just before reaching the hamlet, park in the large car park on the right.

(S/E) Once kitted out, head east along the Route des Monts, which passes through Mont Devant.

(1) In the hamlet, continue straight on along the road signposted “Mont Devant – altitude 1020 m – Col de Bornette 2.3 km”. Continue for about 200 m.

(2) Leave the road and take the path opposite you that climbs south-east between a stopover lodge and a farmhouse: signpost “Gîte de Mont Devant – Col de Bornette 2.1 km”. Follow the red and white markings on 1-metre posts or on the trees. The path leads away from the hamlet and climbs through the forest to join the forest track known as Chemin du Reposoir: signposted “Col de Bornette 1.7 km”.

(3) Turn right towards the south-east and follow this track up to a junction just before the Reposoir car park.

(4) Turn right, heading south, towards Le Golet: signposted “Golet de Doucy 1.3 km”. Cross one or two streams depending on the season to reach a somewhat rutted forestry track.

(5) Follow this path uphill, heading south. The only slight difficulty: after crossing a stream, continue uphill along a new forest track, also heading south. You will reach Le Golet: signposted “Golet de Doulcy, altitude 1,329 m”.

(6) Walk a few dozen metres further to the next sign and turn left onto the path leading up to the Golet chalet: the direction indicated changes to “Col de Bornette 2.7 km 1h00” and the small signposts turn yellow and red. Pass the two Golet chalets.

(7) Turn left to join the^GRP® trail of the Massif des Bauges. Turn right and follow this path northwards: signpost "Chalet du Golet – altitude 1,380 m", direction "To Col de Bornette 2.2 km").

(8) Turn left onto the south-west-facing farm track to reach, 250 m further on, the Col de Bornette (1310 m).

(9) Turn right onto the north-facing uphill track, following the sign for "Crêt du Char". First, head up to the ruined chalets at a place called Le Mollard, pass between the two chalets on the right and walk a few metres further to enjoy a splendid, albeit partial, view of Lake Annecy.

(10) Continue along the track northwards and follow the metal signs with a yellow line on a green background, mounted on 1-metre-high posts. Avoid the paths created by the cows; it’s tempting but counterproductive for the climb.

(11) Head right into the forest and climb up to a plateau on the Crêt du Char. Reach the signpost marked “Mont derrière 1h00”.

(12) Continue straight on towards the south. Do not descend to the right; the path is exposed and requires some climbing skills to get over the ridge. Reach the viewpoint with a 270° view over the Bauges (1,468 m).

(13) Follow the route back in the opposite direction, descending to the Col de Bornette (1,310 m), which you passed on the way up.

(9) Turn right towards the south-west and head down the forest track. Pass the Reposoir car park and return to a junction you passed on the way up.

(4) Take the wide path in the opposite direction to the way up and, further down, return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Walking boots and poles.
No water source to our knowledge, a few streams to cross in season.
The Chalet du Golet sells farm produce.
The Chalets du Char au Mollard are abandoned.

Plenty of walks in the Bauges. A warm welcome from the locals.
On the way back, pop in to see the sawmill just before Bellecombe-en-Bauges. Its reconstruction has saved this rather unusual cutting tool (explanations on information boards). To get there, head down the Route des Monts, take the sawmill track for about 700 m; there’s a small car park just before the bridge over the Bellecombe stream.

Visiting the “Pont du Diable” at the end of the day could be a nice addition. It is close to the D912 via Entrèves.