The Vuache in its entirety from Chevrier

The route includes short detours leading to various viewpoints: these are optional and not all are listed in the description, so as not to make it too lengthy. For further details, see § Practical Information.

Start at Place du Chêne, in the heart of the village of Chevrier: parking spaces are available, but they are limited.

(S/E) Facing the mountain, take the Chemin de la Saint Victoire. From here, follow the white-and-red^GR® Balcon du Léman signposting as far as the vicinity of Chaumont.

(1) Carry on straight ahead at the fork: the initial slope is gentle, but it becomes steeper further on. Higher up, the path becomes easier and, whilst you’re there, I suggest you take a track on the right leading to a lovely viewpoint on the eastern side (see the route map).

(2) You’ll reach the Sainte-Victoire Oratory: from here, you can take a short round trip to a viewpoint on the western side. Heading almost due south, continue along the path towards the Sommet du Vuache (white-and-red^GR® markings).

(3) Carry on straight ahead at the junction (the path on the right leads to Arcine Castle).

(4) About 300 metres further on, carry straight on at the junction with another path.

(5) After a short while, you’ll come to another path (marked ‘Golet du Pey Ouest’): keep to the right.

(6) About 100 metres further on, you’ll reach another junction: if you wish, you can make a round trip to the Clarafond viewpoint. Continue left along the path (heading south-east).

(7) You’ll pass by a hut: from here, the route becomes more rugged, with a series of ascents and descents.

(8) Reach the summit of Vuache, marked by a large cairn. There are no views from this spot. Continue along the path.

(9) Further on, you’ll reach a relatively open spot offering views to both the east and west (the only such spot on the route). After a slightly rugged descent, you’ll reach a more peaceful stretch through the undergrowth, then along the edge of a mountain pasture.

(10) Ignore a fork to the right and cross an alpine pasture before re-entering the forest; along the way, there are a few short sections with fairly steep slopes.

(11) Just before Chaumont, you’ll come to a fork and leave the^GR® Balcon du Léman markings. As an option, I suggest taking a variant of the route (see the ‘Practical Information’ section). Follow a gently ascending path on the left. After a descent, you’ll join a track further down.

(12) Continue to the left, towards Tire-Cul (car park), following the white-and-red markings (^GR®965). Not far on, at a Fork in the road, turn left.

(13) After a short while, you’ll reach a junction: continue along the small road towards Cortagy.
From here, you leave the^GR® route and follow the yellow arrow markings until you return.
Shortly after leaving the hamlet, keep to the right onto a path running parallel to the road.

(14) At a fork, take the path on the left; then, when you reach a small road, follow it to the right.

(15) Walk through the hamlet of Olliet, continuing along the small road.

(16) Walk through the hamlet of Cessens via the Chemin de la Villa, then, further up, continue to the right towards a farm.

(17) Follow the path on the right, heading downhill.

(18) About 200 metres further on, take a path on the left: a pleasant walk through the woodland leads you down to a track which you should follow to the right. Then continue along the small road and, further down, cross the bridge over the motorway.

(19) Turn left at the^first junction, then left again a few metres further on. Walk alongside the motorway on your left (this is the least pleasant part of the route). Ignore the first two junctions and, at the third, turn right onto the footpath.

(20) Shortly after the Tire-Cul car park, follow the small road to the left as far as La Chavanne (please respect private property), then continue along the path uphill. At a fork, take the path on the right, heading downhill.

(1) You’ll reach the Haut de Chevrier, a spot you’ve already passed on the outward leg: keep right to return to the Place du Chêne (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here.

It is recommended that you wear good walking boots and carry walking poles.

Take your rubbish away with you – nature cannot break it down.

The western slope of the Vuache massif is a protected natural area subject to regulations. Click here to find out more.

As an option, I suggest two alternative routes:
- the first takes you to the pretty village of Chaumont, then on to its castle (an extra 1 km or so). Click here for the route description.
- The second, just past Cessens, follows a slightly more ‘natural’ route through woodland. With this option, the distance covered is almost the same and the additional elevation gain is negligible (around 20 metres). Click here to view the route description. The challenge may lie in finding your way through unmarked sections in a wooded area (though the presence of a few old signposts may help).

The mountain is criss-crossed by numerous trails and paths, and many other routes are available. For example: a shorter version of a circular route to the point (4) or even to (5), then a return via various forest tracks.

The route passes by a number of viewpoints, which are marked on the map:
- The^first is situated just before the point (2). Estimated GPS coordinates: 46.107932°N 5.899889°E
- The^second is accessible from the point (2).
- The^third is encountered between the points (2) and (3). Take care as there is a cliff nearby. Estimated GPS position: 46.103654°N 5.900816°E
- The^fourth viewpoint, known as the Clarafond viewpoint, is accessible from the point (6).
- The^5th and 6th are situated between points (7) and (8):
-- the^first on the right at estimated GPS position = 46.076223°N 5.921129°E
-- and the^second on the left at an estimated GPS position of 46.06843°N 5.932178°E
- The^seventhis located slightly beyond the point (8) at the estimated GPS position = 46.058591°N 5.939101°E
- The^8th is encountered along the route at the point (9)

Below is a difficulty rating for each section (the route is not uniform):
- green: fairly straightforward route with no significant elevation changes or difficulties.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-marked route.
- Orange: route presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route conditions (signposting or visibility of the path).

From (S/E) to (1): green difficulty
The route follows an easy path along a small, gently ascending road
White-red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (1) to (2): blue difficulty
On the ascent, you follow a path that starts off gently sloping before becoming steeper.
White-red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (2) to (4): blue difficulty
Follow a path with gentle gradients and few difficulties.
White-red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (4) to (7): green difficulty
You’ll follow a path that’s generally quite comfortable, with minimal elevation changes.
White-red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (7) to (8): blue difficulty
This section can be divided into two stages:
- The^first involves the ascent and descent of an unnamed peak with a few tricky slopes
- The^secondinvolves the ascent to the summit of Vuache, which is fairly gradual.
White-red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (8) to (9): blue difficulty
The path follows a fairly gentle route with minimal difficulty, except for the end of this section (caution advised).
White-red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (9) to (10): blue difficulty
The trail presents a few challenges on the downhill sections (please take care). Towards the end of this section, the route follows a wide path alongside mountain pastures, making for a comfortable walk.
White-Red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (10) to (11): blue difficulty
The path winds through an area of mountain pastures. Once you reach the forest, the going is a little less comfortable in places.
White-red markings –^GR® Balcon du Léman

From (11) to (12): blue difficulty
You follow a pleasant little path without encountering any major difficulties.
Unmarked section (finding your way is not a problem). Signposts at the start and end of the section

From (12) to (13): blue difficulty
A track suitable for vehicles, followed by a footpath, is fairly easy to follow.
White-red markings –^GR® 965

From (13) to (14): green difficulty
A small road, followed by a footpath, are taken along an easy stretch.
Yellow arrow markings.

From (14) to (16): green difficulty
A footpath, followed by a small road, are followed without encountering any difficulties
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (16) to (17): green difficulty
A small road, followed by a path, are followed, again without any difficulties.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (17) to (18): green difficulty
Follow a track downhill.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (17) to (19): blue difficulty
The route follows a pleasant footpath, then a small road
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (19) to (20): blue difficulty
You initially follow a rather unpleasant path running alongside the motorway. You then continue along a small road, followed by a track suitable for vehicles, and then a path on a steeper slope for a few metres.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (20) to (1): blue difficulty
At first, the route is very easy along a small road and a track; then it moves onto a path with steeper slopes; and finally, it continues along a small road heading downhill.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (1) to (S/E): green difficulty
Follow the Chemin de la Sainte Victoire back to the starting point
Marked with white and red arrows –^GR® Balcon du Léman

** Numerous information boards line the route: these are mainly found between points (2) and point (5)

** Celtic oppidum of Vuache: read the article in the Dauphiné Libéré by clicking here

** Sainte Victoire Oratory: read the article by clicking here

** Arcine Castle: read the Wikipedia article by clicking here.

** Chaumont Castle: read the Wikipedia article by clicking here.