Mont Veyrier from end to end

Update by the author on 28/10/2024:
- added notes to the descriptions of points (10) and (11) following the latest messages.
- Correction to the practical information section between points (10) and (12).

The starting point is at the car park of the Veyrier-du-Lac town hall.
It can be viewed on Google Maps via the following link: click here

(S/E) Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing with care and take the street to the right of the church. Go round the roundabout on the left then continue almost straight on along the steeply sloping Chemin du Péril.

(1) At the junction with Route de la Corniche, continue straight on. Initially, the gradient is quite steep, but it becomes gentler along a route with numerous hairpin bends.

(2) You’ll come to a fork; keep left. About 50 metres further on, keep right at a^second fork (towards Mont Veyrier via the Col des Sauts), and then right again at a^third fork (Chapeau de Napoléon) located about 200 m away. Join another path in the northern part of Bois Quémont.

(3) Turn right and head uphill. Before reaching the ridge line, you’ll encounter a tricky section on steep terrain that may be prone to rockfalls; a cable is provided to aid your progress. Take care! You’ll reach the Col des Sauts.

(4) Turn left for less than 100 m to discover a lovely viewpoint over Annecy and the northern part of the lake. Retrace your steps, then continue straight on at the fork towards Mont Veyrier. After a stretch through the undergrowth, the path then approaches some cliffs.

(5) You’ll reach the summit of Mont Veyrier (1,291 m) almost without realising it: carry on straight ahead along the path, which runs more or less close to the cliffs, with numerous viewpoints on the western side towards Lake Annecy. The route includes a few rough sections. Take care!

(6) Reach a lovely viewpoint at Mont Baron, as indicated by a sign: the true summit (1,295 m) is actually a little higher up and can be reached by continuing along the path (towards the old cable car). The path continues to run at varying distances from the cliffs, with a few sections that are still a bit rough. Caution! You will reach a large, fairly flat area corresponding to the old cable car station.

(7) From here, there are lovely views both to the west (Lake Annecy, Semnoz, Bauges) and to the east (Parmelan, Aravis, Talamarche, La Tournette, Mont Blanc). Continue straight on towards the Col des Contrebandiers: there are a few difficulties on a well-maintained section, then, shortly afterwards, on another section featuring some steep and slightly uneven slopes. At the Balcon des Contrebandiers, turn left towards the pass via a less difficult route, then right at the Crène Sud.

(8) Once you reach the Col des Contrebandiers, you can enjoy a beautiful view to the west. Continue to the right, then shortly afterwards to the left onto an unmarked path. After a moderate climb, the slopes become a little steeper as you reach the ridge line; continue to the right along an easier route.
Optionally, you can take a detour to the left for a round trip to the summit of Mont Baret (approx. 10 mins): whilst the summit itself is of limited interest, a lovely viewpoint can be admired not far away.

(9) You reach an unnamed summit and, not far from there, a lovely viewpoint on the eastern side can be admired. Continue straight on down the slope. After a gentle stretch, the slope suddenly becomes steep as you climb. Reach a^second summit.

(10) A few views are visible to the west if you step off the path. A steep descent begins from this point, particularly evident at the edge of a cliff, which you follow along the base via a rugged path on a steep slope. Caution: the ground may be slippery (dead leaves and/or muddy ground). The path then continues down a gentler slope marked by a few hairpin bends and reaches a junction in the Bois de Beauregard.

(11) Turn right, then, fairly quickly, keep to the right as you head downhill, tackling a few fairly steep slopes. Please be careful as the ground may be slippery (dead leaves and/or muddy ground).

(12) Turn right at another fork to reach a large open area, passing close to a transmitter: this is a site featuring protective earthworks erected following rockfalls. Ignore the^first path on the left and take the^{second one} to reach another line of protective earthworks below, then follow this line to the right to reach the Route de la Corniche.

(13) Continue to the right for about fifty metres, then turn left onto Route de Morat and follow it to the end. Pass between the cemetery and a school to reach the roundabout at the start, near the church. Walk alongside the church and cross the road to return to the starting point (S/E).

Good walking boots and poles are recommended.

Nature hates your rubbish. Take it away with you!

The ridgelines between the Col des Sauts (4) and the Col des Contrebandiers (8) are quite busy. On the rest of the route, you should encounter far fewer people.

From (S/E) to (1) blue difficulty.
Route in an urban environment.
Marked with yellow arrows + signposts.

From (1) to (3) blue difficulty.
The route starts off slightly steep but becomes gentler further on.
Marked with yellow arrows + signposts.

From (3) to (4): orange difficulty.
The route is relatively gentle at first, then suddenly becomes a bit steeper on a few slopes. A cable is provided in one section to help you with the climb.
This area is also potentially exposed to rockfalls. Take care!
Marked with yellow arrows + signposts.

From (4) to (7) – blue difficulty.
The start of the section is initially through woodland, then becomes more open near the cliffs. Easy sections alternate throughout with others that are more or less rugged. Caution!
White and red markings –^GR®® de Pays + signposts. Please note that in some sections, following the route can be confusing.

From (7) to (8) – blue difficulty.
A specially prepared section helps you tackle the^first difficult stretch, after which the route continues over more rugged terrain. The path then gradually becomes easier until you reach the Col des Contrebandiers.
White and red markings –^GR®® de Pays + signposts

From (8) to (10) – blue difficulty.
From this point, the rest of the route continues mainly through woodland. Initially, the terrain is gentle, but it then becomes steeper up to the ridge line. Further challenges are encountered during a descent followed by an ascent.
Blue markings: these are of average quality overall. There are no signposts. Please note that in some sections, following the route is not always straightforward.

From (10) to (12): orange difficulty.
A challenging descent lies ahead, with some steep slopes that may be slippery. Take care.

Blue markings

From (12) to (13): blue difficulty.
Blue markings and yellow arrows. Caution: there are no signposts from the entrance to the merlon area and finding your way may be moderately difficult.

From (13) to (S/E) – green difficulty.
Route in an urban environment.

Mont Veyrier: to find out more about this mountain, click here.

Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle: situated south of Mont Veyrier and near the Col de Bluffy, this is well worth a short detour. To find out more, click here and here.