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Update by the author on 28/10/2024:
- added notes to the descriptions of points (10) and (11) following the latest messages.
- Correction made to the ‘Practical information’ section between waypoints (10) and (12).
The starting point is at the car park of Veyrier-du-Lac Town Hall.
It can be viewed on Google Maps via the following link: click here
(S/E) Cross the road carefully at the pedestrian crossing 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 the Route de la Corniche, carry on straight ahead. The gradient is quite steep to begin with, but then becomes more gentle along a route with numerous hairpin bends.
(2) You’ll come to a fork; keep left. About fifty metres further on, keep right at asecond fork (towards Mont Veyrier via the Col des Sauts), and then right again at athird fork (Chapeau de Napoléon) situated about 200 m away. You’ll join another path in the northern part of the Bois Quémont.
(3) Turn right and head uphill. Before reaching the ridge, you’ll come to a tricky section on steep terrain that may be prone to rockfalls; a cable is in place to help you get through. Take care! You’ll reach the Col des Sauts.
(4) Turn left for less than 100 metres to enjoy a lovely view towards Annecy and the northern part of the lake. Retrace your steps, then carry on straight ahead at the fork towards Mont Veyrier. After a stretch through the woodland, 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 looking out over Lake Annecy. The route includes a few rough sections. Take care!
(6) You’ll reach a lovely viewpoint at Mont Baron, as indicated by a sign: the actual summit (1,295 m) is in fact 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’ll reach a large, fairly flat area corresponding to the cable car’s former top 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). Carry on straight ahead towards the Col des Contrebandiers: you’ll encounter a few challenges on a well-maintained section, followed shortly afterwards by another section featuring some steep and slightly rugged slopes. At the Balcon des Contrebandiers, turn left towards the pass along a less difficult route, then right at the Crène Sud.
(8) Once you reach the Col des Contrebandiers, you can enjoy a fine 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, where the route is easier.
Alternatively, you can take a detour to the left for a round trip to the summit of Mont Baret (about 10 mins): whilst the summit itself is of limited interest, a lovely viewpoint can be admired not far away.
(9) You’ll reach an unnamed summit and, not far from there, there’s a lovely viewpoint to the east. Carry on straight ahead, following the descent. After a gentle stretch, the slope suddenly becomes steep as you head uphill. Reach asecond summit.
(10) A few views are visible to the west if you step off the path. A good stretch of descent begins from this point, particularly evident at the edge of a cliff, which you follow along its base via a rugged route down a steep slope. Take care: the ground may be slippery (due to fallen leaves and/or muddy conditions). The path then continues along a gentler slope with a few hairpin bends and reaches a junction in the Bois de Beauregard.
(11) Turn right, then, fairly soon, keep to the right as you head downhill, tackling a few slightly steep slopes. Please be careful as the ground may be slippery (dead leaves and/or muddy ground).
(12) At another fork, turn right to reach a large open area, passing close to a transmission mast: this is a site featuring protective earthworks erected following rockfalls. Ignore thefirst path on the left and take thesecond one to reach another line of protective earthworks further down; 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 the Route de Morat and follow it to the end. Pass between the cemetery and a school to reach the roundabout where you started, near the church. Walk alongside the church and cross the road to return to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
