Tour of the Semnoz plateau

A beautiful, easy hike on the Semnoz plateau. Numerous panoramic views throughout the hike.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 367 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 366 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,697 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,411 m

Photos

Description of the walk

When approaching Semnoz via the Col de Leschaux and Leschaux, park in the large car park at the Semnoz resort at the start of the ski lifts on the Bauges side.

(S/E) Start on the track that leads to the Chalets du Villard at the bottom of the valley, heading north-northeast. At the chalets, head east to join theGRP® Tour du Lac d'Annecy (red and yellow markings).

(1) Turn left onto the track and join the D110 downstream from the Chalet Nordique du Plateau. Follow the road uphill, pass the building and reach a hairpin bend.

(2) Leave the road shortly after the hairpin bend, turning left to reach the Crêt de Châtillon (1,704 m) in a few minutes. At the summit, there are two orientation tables offering a 360° view of the surrounding area.

(3) Descend via the same route you took on the way up.

(2) At the hairpin bend in the road, turn right onto a good path. Pass the Chalets de Leschaux, staying on the path, and reach the place called Le Golet Rond.

(4) Leave the path and turn right onto a trail, staying on the GRP®. The GRP® follows the ridge before descending to the Chalets de Gruffy, where you will find the Refuge du Semnoz.

(5) Before reaching the buildings, leave theGRP® for a path on the left that leads into the mountain pasture and takes you to the mountain chalets of Crêt de l'Aigle.

(6) Continue for a few minutes to reach the summit of Crêt de l'Aigle, which is clearly visible.

(7) After the summit, head north-northeast to reach a small hill.

(8) Descend to the right as you wish on the ski slope, following the Aigle ski lift, and return to the car park, which is clearly visible on the descent (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,411 m - Parking Station on the Bauges side
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 1,476 m - GRP
  3. 2 : km 2.24 - alt. 1,642 m - Crossroads after the hairpin bend
  4. 3 : km 2.89 - alt. 1,697 m - Crêt de Chatillon
  5. 4 : km 4.83 - alt. 1,613 m - Golet Rond
  6. 5 : km 5.94 - alt. 1,552 m - Gruffy chalets
  7. 6 : km 6.56 - alt. 1,602 m - Alpine chalets at Crêt de l'Aigle
  8. 7 : km 6.76 - alt. 1,641 m - Crêt de l'Aigle
  9. 8 : km 7.1 - alt. 1,637 m - Bosse
  10. S/E : km 8.15 - alt. 1,411 m - Parking Station on the Bauges side

Notes

For the summer season, the Semnoz refuge opens on 15 June.
At the beginning of May, there may still be snow.
Don't set off at dawn; start before 10 a.m. to avoid the crowds.

Between WPT (2) and (6), if you stay on the path, you can enjoy a pleasant family walk.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Bar-restaurant on the northern plateau.
Refuge.
Alpine pastures.
Cheeses.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 60 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Roger Lambersens
Roger Lambersens

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
This is the fourth time I’m writing to let you know that my Visorando app is no longer working and that I can no longer rely on its results.
Yesterday, 22 March, I noticed once again that even when I left my phone in my jacket pocket – as I knew the route – the app stopped working.
I was hoping to receive some customer support from you, but nothing—no reply to my three previous emails sent to the address provided in the app.
I am using this channel in the hope of finally receiving a response to my issue.
Kind regards
Roger LAMBERSENS

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Stef74
Stef74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, easy hike with lovely views all along the route.
Its easy access and the hike itself make it very attractive and therefore popular
Setting off early in the morning allows you to avoid the crowds and enjoy beautiful light on the surrounding mountains when the view is clear.

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Stef74
Stef74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, easy hike offering multiple viewpoints across the entire region.
Its easy access attracts many people. Don't hesitate to start early in the morning.

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GUILLOUXJM
GUILLOUXJM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting circular on the Semnoz plateau. A good half of it is very popular with Annecy residents on Sundays. It is best to start from the Villard car park (also known as Parking Bauges), parking along the departmental road.

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Denis TT
Denis TT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike in very favourable weather conditions.
A magnificent panorama.
Beautiful view of Mont Blanc.

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User 1125749

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent route and beautiful views of Mont Blanc

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Bobbleu
Bobbleu

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views.
On the descent, the path deviates slightly from the Visorando route. The path is marked and bordered by electric fences. It descends back to the road near the car park where you started. Follow it to avoid trampling on the pastures reserved for cattle.

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catle
catle

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your hike starting from the Semnoz station, but it's easier to find on the Charbonnières side because
in summer, there is mountain biking (prohibited to pedestrians) on the other side and hikers must walk parallel to the trails.
Beautiful view from Crêt Chatillon as we had a break in the clouds.
it was 10°C at the top, so bring appropriate clothing.

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p.granier@neuf.fr
p.granier@neuf.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

👍🥰

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alane2base
alane2base

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, but it lacks shade in the middle of summer

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Michelange73
Michelange73

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant spring hike without too many people, except at the summit of Semnoz where people drive up to enjoy the 360° view.
However, for the last descent after passing the Vernettes chalets below the ski lift, follow the path marked with yellow arrows on green that goes down into the forest. At the bottom of the path, join the track that leads back to the Panoramique chairlift car park. This path is less steep and more pleasant than the one below the ski lift.

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olaulau
olaulau

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

an accessible hike with beautiful panoramic views, although you can of course just drive to the top and enjoy the plateau.
the return trip can be quite tricky in spring when there is still snow on the ground. It is impossible to follow the tracks under the ski lift, so you have to improvise in the forest, which is quite steep and complicated.

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JACKY PELLET
JACKY PELLET

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk in the snow with crampons

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Pioupiou70
Pioupiou70

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk on the Semnoz with impressive 360-degree views!
The descent is unmarked, and the climb back up is peaceful (starting from the car park at the Semnoz Nordic chalet)

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Hirondelle88
Hirondelle88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike on the Semnoz plateau. We were lucky enough to see Mont Blanc, which was superb. At the end of the trail, we followed the marked path instead of going straight down along the ski lift. The marked path passes to the right of the ski lift in the forest, which is slower but shaded.

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