The Mont Baret loop from the Col de Bluffy

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A little-used ridge route, mainly in forest, with a beautiful alpine climb. A few views of Lake Annecy, Mont Veyrier and the Dents de Lanfon.

⚠️ A decree issued by the municipalities of Annecy and Veyrier-du-Lac prohibits motor vehicles from accessing the Col des Contrebandiers and Pré Vernet.

Details

n°31368791
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.15 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,224 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,215 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,058 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,260 ft
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Photos

Path leading to Mont Baret
View of the ridge path on Mont Baret

Description of the walk

At the Col de Bluffy, coming from Veyrier-du-Lac, turn left onto the Route de Barbanchon, then immediately left again onto the Route des Penoz. Follow this road to the end: five-space car park.

(S/E) Follow the track, then after a bend, you will come to a crossroads called Bois des Mollières.

(1) Take the unmarked path on the left. Continue straight up until you reach the start of a trail at the Mont Baret sign.

(2) Turn right and follow the blue markings; the path climbs gently, then becomes steep and stony as you approach the rocky ridge. Reach the summit of Mont Baret.

(3) Take this path, taking care from this point onwards: first, the markings become sporadic, then disappear altogether until you reach the pass; the path is tricky in places and you have to negotiate several rocky outcrops before starting the descent to the Col des Contrebandiers.

(4) Take the road on the right that follows theGR®®96andGRP®® trails around Lake Annecy. You will reach a crossroads marked by a signpost.

(5) Leave the road and continue on theGR®® to quickly reach a new crossroads.

(6) Turn right and, still on theGR®®, continue downhill to reach the initial crossroads passed on the way up.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the Penoz car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,264 ft - Penoz car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.42 - alt. 2,543 ft - Bois des Mollières - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.89 - alt. 2,881 ft - Mont Baret fork
  4. 3 : mi 1.64 - alt. 4,019 ft - Summit of - Mont Baret
  5. 4 : mi 2.55 - alt. 3,465 ft - Col des Contrebandiers
  6. 5 : mi 2.89 - alt. 3,346 ft - Road junction/°°GR®°°
  7. 6 : mi 3.08 - alt. 3,501 ft - Crossroads
  8. S/E : mi 5.15 - alt. 2,264 ft - Penoz car park

Notes

Between (2) and (3), follow the blue paint markings.
From (4), follow the standardGR®® markings (white and red) from the Col des Contrebandiers until you return.
Please note that between (2) and (4) the path is sometimes tricky.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
MIMINE 38
MIMINE 38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
Route completed on 30 April, on a lovely day.
It’s true, the hike is quite ‘technical’ to tackle in dry weather...
A lovely route, above Lake Annecy, visible through the trees...

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User 23693733

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

Some beautiful views of the lake and mountains with the leafless trees. But the leaves on the ground made the terrain very slippery and dangerous. I don't know if there is a favourable season for this hike: in winter and autumn it is slippery but with great views, while in spring and summer the views are probably disappointing. Avoid with children: the very steep climb is enough to put younger children off hiking, and some sections are dangerous for them. This is not a walk for families. I regret taking friends on this hike, which is of very limited interest. You spend 99% of your time looking at your shoes to avoid slipping and the remaining 1% looking at the admittedly very beautiful view. I do not recommend this hike, whose main interest is burning calories both on the way up and on the way down. My worst hike in a very long time, and I do a lot of them.

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zit.bouc
zit.bouc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Walk taken between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, 6 April. Very pleasant, with a large section in the forest. Not very busy: only about fifteen people encountered during the three and a half hours. The view of the lake is beautiful and the entire route offers a very calm and peaceful setting. An ideal route for a family walk at the weekend or during the week.

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Nath.Jacquemoud
Nath.Jacquemoud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very pleasant hike with beautiful views.
I knew Mont Veyrier and Mont Baron very well, so this was a wonderful discovery
A bit technical on the descent in the upper section due to the damp and snow

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Mimine5767
Mimine5767

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, but more difficult than advertised. Quite a few steep sections.

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Peter410
Peter410

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful sports circuit. The climbs and descents are technical and steep. Almost more difficult to descend... that's one point of view. We did the circuit in the woods (with slippery ground and steep drops... watch out for children and people who are afraid of heights) on the way there and took the magnificent ridge path on the way back. Without foliage, the view is splendid.
The conditions on the day were poor and the sun only came out once we reached the car park...
10 km in 3 hours and 750 m elevation gain (Strava).

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dth74
dth74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Far too busy for trail running, so very muddy in some places.

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CatPatJuju
CatPatJuju

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As previously mentioned, this is a little-used route due to the lack of viewpoints.
We did it when it had rained quite a lot and the ground was very slippery, especially in some steep sections. As is always the case in the mountains, you need to watch your footing and take care.
Enjoy your walk!

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pierimel
pierimel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hiking under the trees, ideal for hot days!
There are few viewpoints, so you won't come across many people, and there are few tourists, except when you pass through the smugglers' pass.
The route is fairly well marked and there are no major difficulties. However, it may be best to avoid bringing young children if the ground is wet.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.