The Chevelu Lakes

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In the Savoyard foothills, in the Chambéry Pre-Alps, a walk of less than two hours around the magnificent Chevelu Lakes.

Details

n°57251
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 63 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 62 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 370 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 305 m
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Photos

on the edge of one of the two lakes
lake viewpoint
The village of St Jean d'en Haut in spring

Description of the walk

Start from the lake car park, near the campsite and the beach.

(S/E) Head north and follow the road.

(1) Ignore the road on the left that leads to Chevelu, then the one that leads to La Platière, and continue to the next fork.

(2) Turn right onto the road that descends, then climb back up towards the vineyards.

(3) At a left-hand bend, leave the road and take a track that turns right towards the village. Follow this track all the way to the village of Saint-Jean d'en Haut.

(4) Go down to the right for 50 metres and turn right again at the sign for "Table de Lecture du Paysage". The path leaves the village and descends towards the lakes (superb view).

(5) Take the hairpin bend to the left, follow the first lake and join the marsh where you turn left to follow the bank to the road.

There, turn right onto the road that takes you back to the car park in 10 minutes (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 307 m - Lake car park
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 311 m - Crossroads, straight ahead
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 316 m - Fork, on the right
  4. 3 : km 2.11 - alt. 346 m - Bend, path on the right
  5. 4 : km 2.96 - alt. 358 m - Saint-Jean d'en Haut, on the right
  6. 5 : km 3.49 - alt. 307 m - Fork in the road, take the left hairpin bend
  7. S/E : km 4.95 - alt. 308 m - Lake car park

Notes

Note: registered as a walking route, but can also be considered for mountain biking (however, the banks of the marsh are very muddy, so be warned).

Worth a visit

Swimming in the lakes, campsite open in summer.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 3612588

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The path was difficult at times because it was muddy (it had rained beforehand), which wasn't very pleasant. And a good part of it is on the road. But the scenery was interesting. It wasn't a memorable walk, but it was enjoyable with friends.

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le_passereau
le_passereau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

More of a stroll than a hike given its length and lack of difficulty (suitable for children if they are used to walking). Very pleasant. We do it fairly regularly in different seasons because the landscape and colours are magnificent every time, especially in spring and autumn.
Two access points to fishing piers are worth a detour (marked by signs, but not in the route description) for the view of the lake and its reflections of the landscape. Please do not disturb the fishermen.
Between 1 and 2, follow the road. The trail on the map indicates a path below, but this path does not reach La Fourche de 2.

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User 12679731

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A great walk for getting back into shape

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User 17558366

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The sections along the road are a bit long for children, but otherwise the hike isn't very long and allows you to explore the area around the lakes.

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EvelyneP
EvelyneP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, half trail, half road. A bit muddy in places as it had rained the day before

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Bellie
Bellie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy circuit and beautiful route

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TUX73
TUX73

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Far too much walking on the road. Few cars at this time of year, but worth seeing in summer with the beach and campsite nearby. Route via point 2 on the description closed off by a fence, requiring you to return to the Bergin road to continue.
Avoid this walk in summer as there is little shade.

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valitzler
valitzler

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short walk with lovely views of the lakes. The forest is very pleasant.

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M le Comte
M le Comte

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very accessible route. In case of rain, the trail can quickly become muddy.
Nice walk.
The highlight is the view of the two lakes.

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jepete07
jepete07

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

actually, the main attraction is seeing the lakes, but that's only about a quarter of the route. there's quite a bit of driving, which isn't great. Another point to note is how to get to the car park. If you arrive via the Col du Chat tunnel, you need to continue straight ahead and you'll see a sign for the leisure centre at the entrance to the village. Otherwise, it's quite difficult to find. Another point of interest is the village bakery, where you should buy some bread!

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stri73
stri73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a lovely little hike for a Sunday afternoon after a good meal.
in wet weather or after rain, be sure to wear appropriate footwear for muddy paths.

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Courmont
Courmont

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A peaceful and relaxing afternoon stroll before leaving the region. Lovely view of the lakes. A bit too much road

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missthelma
missthelma

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

nice, family-friendly route and pretty views

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mamie
mamie

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The view and the marshland are superb. An easy and pleasant walk.

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j.couvreur
j.couvreur

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start of the route is average, but the second part of the hike is superb with beautiful scenery, green paths, vineyards and marshes.
enjoy your ride!

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