A circular route around the Taillefer and Entrevernes ridges starting from Duingt

The route starts from Duingt, on the south-western shore of Lake Annecy, which can be reached from Annecy or Faverges.
Park near the church.

(S/E) Head east along the Route du Vieux Village: a concrete path branches off to the right towards Le Taillefer. This is a Way of the Cross, dotted with wayside shrines, winding steadily upwards to the Grotte de Notre-Dame du Lac.

(1) Retrace your steps a few metres, then climb the path on the right which, via tight hairpin bends, ascends the ridge to a flat area with unobstructed views, the Esplanade de Bellevue.

(2) Continue along the ridge path, ignoring the path coming from the right from Mont Gerbet, then resume the climb to the Crêt du Bourg.

(3) The path descends slightly to go round the indentation of a quarry carved into the eastern face before climbing again to a junction.

(4) Let the path leading down to Les Maisons branch off to the right and continue up the ridge to a new high point. The path then descends along the western flank to Le Bognon, from where the direct descent to Entrevernes begins.
NB: the path following the ridge here on the IGN map has largely disappeared: the few traces still visible are overgrown with shrubs and boxwood.

(5) From the junction, climb up the western flank towards the ridge, which the path follows for some time before crossing it at a paragliding launch site.

(6) Continue downwards a little, this time on the eastern flank, then cross the ridge again to reach the clearing at the Oratoire de la Thuile and its rocky viewpoint.

(7) Head off to the right, towards the west, along a path that soon joins fields and then the small road to Membert. Follow it down, passing the sawmill, and continue along the Route des Droblesses to the car park at Entrevernes church.

(8) Head left, due west, along the edge of the fields and then into the forest. After a steep climb, the path winds gently upwards in wide, less steep bends to the notch of the Col de la Cochette.

(9) At the pass, turn right to climb the final few metres of Montagne d’Entrevernes, pass by the foot of the Cross (accessible via a short, exposed climb aided by a chain on the first section) and reach a beautiful rocky outcrop with sweeping views.

(10) Descend due north along the broad ridge, following the limestone strata. The slope gradually becomes steeper and may be more slippery. Pass the junction at the Pas de la Cheville (path coming from Saint-Jorioz) and, at around 830 m, turn right onto the path to descend towards the hamlet of Les Maisons.

(11) From the junction, take the Entrevernes road on the left and after 100 m, turn onto the Chemin des Esserts, which descends further down to cross the road again.

(12) Take the path below the road, which it crosses further down, and continue descending to Bellevarde.

(13) Take the path below the road again, which it crosses further down, and continue downhill to D’Héré and its castle.

(14) In the hamlet, turn right onto a small road that descends, cross the Ruisseau d'Entrevernes and follow it. Via Mont Gerbet and the Route des Viviers, reach the bridge beneath the cycle path (former railway line) and the starting point (S/E).

The route is signposted with signs at each junction and pictograms (yellow arrow on a green background) which are more or less frequent depending on the section.

The Taillefer path is always passable. The climb to the Col de la Cochette may be blocked by heavy snow, and the descent can be quite slippery towards the bottom in wet weather.

As this circular route combines two routes, it can of course be shortened by returning via Les Maisons or the village centre of Entrevernes.

The ridges traversed are generally wooded, but at regular intervals, viewing points (rocks or clearings) offer unobstructed views of the surrounding Bauges and Bornes mountains and the lake.
(Unfortunately, the attached photos are from a winter outing when the expected clear spells failed to materialise).