Mont Grèle via the Voie Sarde and the Rocher du Corbeau

Park in the car park near the church in Aiguebelette-le-Lac (toilets).

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the church and, as you leave, follow the road to the right. After about a hundred metres, turn left onto a path. Then ignore the paths branching off to the left and pass between the houses.

(1) Carry on along a footpath and continue uphill. Cross a small road and continue along the footpath opposite. Join a road and follow it to the right until you reach the ‘Allemands’ car park.

(2) Leave the road and carry on straight ahead (north) along a forest track.

(3) At the junction, turn left. Follow a shaded track (beautiful views of the lake).

(4) Let the track curve sharply to the right and continue straight on (north-east) along a path. This will take you to the Rocher du Corbeau viewpoint.

(5) Head off again towards the south-east and continue climbing.

(6) Join the track again and follow it to the left. Take a hairpin bend to the left, then one to the right, and continue the ascent towards the south-east.

(7) At a sort of plateau, turn left (north) onto a path. After a straight climb, the path winds its way up a few bends to reach the Col du Crucifix.

(8) Take the path that leads diagonally to the right opposite you. Climb along this path heading south. Go round a hilltop (elevation 962) to the right (the purple line on the 1:25,000 map is inaccurate here). This will take you to the Col Saint-Michel.

(9) Continue straight ahead (east) along the path that climbs towards Mont Grêle. Walk for a long time in a south-south-westerly direction.

(10) At the junction, turn right and climb steeply along a few hairpin bends.

(11) At the next junction, turn right and continue climbing. Pass under the high-voltage power lines.

(12) Shortly afterwards, turn right again and pass under the high-voltage power lines once more to climb up to a viewpoint overlooking Lac du Bourget and Lac d’Aiguebelette (watch out for sheer drops).

(13) Head back down and pass under the high-voltage power lines once more.

(12) Continue south. After about 200 m, turn right to reach the official viewpoint.

(14) Turn back.

(12) Turn right and pass under the high-voltage power lines one last time. Return to the Col Saint-Michel via the outward route in the opposite direction.

(9) Turn left onto a path that winds down along the shaded cliffs. Ignore the paths branching off to the left and take a hairpin bend to the right. Continue northwards to the François I Caves.

(15) Carry on northwards and you’ll very quickly reach a junction.

(16) Then turn left. Head down the path, which winds several times, and ignore the side paths.

(3) Turn left and you’ll soon reach the ‘Parking des Allemands’.

(2) Follow the route you took on the way there in the opposite direction to return to the church (S/E).

There’s not much water along the route.
The path is mostly shaded.
No technical difficulties; the challenge lies in the combination of a long distance and a significant elevation gain.

The best spot for photos is at the end of the electricity pylons! You’ll have a view of both lakes, and a sunnier setting!