Montsapey walks

With clear skies and no clouds on the horizon, on the morning of 27 August 2018, I decide to discover a superb viewpoint over the Alps. Perched between Belledonne and Lauzière, just above the confluence of the Isère and Arc rivers, the Grand Arc massif is exceptional in its domain. High mountains less than an hour from Chambéry!

A beautiful loop on the southern slope of the Grand Arc, passing by the dark Lac Noir. At the start, a discovery trail allows hikers to step back in time. Directional signs and yellow markings.

Ascent of Bellacha via a wild trail on the way up, following the north-west and north ridges of Bellachat. The return route is via the Col de l'Arc and Col de Basmont passes, which offer different landscapes and avoid the descent via the ascent route, which is not always easy to find. This loop is not recommended in the opposite direction.

Circular forest path starting from Fort de Montgilbert, following the belt of redoubts and batteries built along a ridge to defend the entrance to the Maurienne valley and passing through a sensitive peat bog site.

A lovely hike in the Lauzière massif, with views of the peaks and glaciers of the Vanoise, not to mention the inevitable Mont Blanc. You will also recognise the characteristic silhouette of the Cheval Noir along the way.

A beautiful family hike with panoramic views of the Lauzière massif and Mont Blanc in a wild and unspoilt environment.

A beautiful, wild hike at the start of the season, with no one else on the route. Beautiful views of the western ridge of Comborsier, the Grand Mont d'Arêches and even Mont Blanc. Be careful to keep quiet, as this is black grouse territory.

This loop south of the Lauzière allows you to explore both sides of the chain, climbing directly to the Pas de Sarvatan, then crossing the western slope via a well-marked trail before descending from the Col de Monjoie through beautiful meadows.

Family hike to the Col de Monjoie (but it's still uphill) then a short off-trail exploration towards the peaks that border it.

A beautiful summit offering extensive views of the Savoyard mountains, with a very pleasant ridge walk to begin the descent. A long hike, the ascent of which can be halved by using a cable car (see the alternative route in the practical information section).

A route starting from the Thermes de la Léchère-les-Bains on a pretty path along the Isère river and up the banks of the Torrent du Morel with its waterfalls, once the scourge of the Aigueblanches valleys, now tamed by humans who have turned it into a peaceful mountain stream. After crossing the village of Saint-Oyen and returning with a view of the valley, you will reach the Thermes de la Léchère spa.

The perfect family outing, this route will introduce you to the Bourget-en-Huile and Pontet marshes. You will learn about the flora and fauna, the marshes, how they were formed and how they are being restored. There is also information about the woods and mining, castles and even Hannibal. All this is provided by information points along the route. A booklet offering a fun approach to the trail is on sale at the Chalet du Verney.

A beautiful hike in the north of the Belledonne Massif. The ridge route offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. A few information boards mark the route.

This is a beautiful hike at the northern end of the Belledonne massif. With the help of an orientation table, discover the 360° view that awaits you at the top of this peak. As indicated in the paragraph "During the hike or nearby", part of the hike can be done with young children, with an elevation gain of about 600m.

A short circuit allowing you to discover the Morel Waterfall and the educational trail on the history of the torrent. The circuit follows the thematic trail in reverse, but the information panels explain the history of this torrent: the Morel devastated the Bellecombe plain for several centuries and was finally tamed at the beginning of the 20th century thanks to a dam, a large 80-metre waterfall and a series of small cascades.

Discover a peak with a 360° view of the Savoie mountains.

Une jolie randonnée dans la montagne à vaches (celles qui font le Beaufort). Belle vue sur la vallée de l'Arc et le massif des Grandes Rousses. Presque tout le parcours est au soleil.

Discover the Paradis mountain pastures, above Saint-François-Longchamp, the bells of the cattle herds in the green summer pastures, with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, the passage through the hamlet of La Perrière, then a return via the path through the Pézières Forest, with its complicated passages through muddy waterways or a tiny, vertiginous path. Beautiful emotions await you.

A short family hike to discover a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Belleville Valley. There are two other beautiful viewpoints with orientation tables, as well as the Coche reservoir. This well-marked circular trail is a discovery trail dotted with information panels and quizzes on mountain flora and fauna. At the summit, you can enjoy two orientation tables and a well-equipped area, as well as a small notebook where you can leave a few words.

The Col d'Orgeval is located on theGRP® trail in the Massif des Bauges. More than the pass or the chalets, it is the superb Orgeval valley with its gentle slopes that will remain in hikers' memories. The mountain pasture is owned by the same family, who graze a pretty herd of heifers there.

This hike will take you to the Pointe de Chaurionde via the Col du Haut du Four and the south-west ridge. Don't miss the chamois that inhabit the slopes. At the summit, you can admire Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc. You will cross the Vallon d'Orgeval (the valley of bears), which has now become a peaceful valley home to Tarine and Abondance cows and marmots.In June, the flora is magnificent and varied. Chaurionde means "round summit". (6) Access to the summit (or descent) via the Chalet de Coutarse is now prohibited (ZR zone of the PNR).

Pointe de la Fougère is not the most popular of the Beaujus peaks. This hike retains a wild character; it is not uncommon to see animals on the ascent. Beautiful panoramic views of the nearby peaks and beyond.

This beautiful, wild circular hike starting from the Nant du Fourchu car park takes you to two peaks over 2,000 m in the Bauges massif in just a few kilometres, and can be completed with a climb to Pointe d'Arcalod. You may even see some marmots!

Hike in the Val Gelon, varied landscapes with beautiful views of Mont Blanc and the Belledonne mountain range.

A lovely late summer walk in Belledonne. From the start, there is a superb view of the Bauges Massif. There is also a small orientation table at the start.

A beautiful walk in the Montaimont cirque. The walk is described in a clockwise direction, but can also be done in the opposite direction.The markings, when visible, are those for the summer period. The route sometimes deviates from the official trail.The entire loop is well cleared, offering a vast panorama. Due to its orientation and modest altitude at the start, this hike is best enjoyed at the beginning of the season.There is no risk of snow slides on this route.

Magnificent ridge walk between Mont d'Orisan and Grand Roc. On one side are Les Bauges and its highest peak, Arcalod (2,217 m), and on the other is the Mont Blanc massif, passing through Beaufortain, Vanoise, La Lauzière, Belledonne and on to the Aiguilles d'Arves. A very beautiful hike.

This is a beautiful circular that allows you to see three sides of Arcalod, climb to the summit via Orgeval and descend via a wilder route. It is a demanding but magnificent hike in good weather. Please note that access to the Pointe d'Arcalod is not recommended with children or in wet weather.

A beautiful outing in the Arclusaz valley, dominated by some of the beautiful peaks of the Bauges. The autumn colours are beginning to set the landscape ablaze.

The most beautiful of the Baujus peaks! Loop hike Mont Pecloz 2197m and Mont d'Armenaz 2158m. Please note: The descent from Mont Pécloz is rather tricky (exposure to rockfalls + some passages requiring the use of your hands).

A beautiful, challenging circular route that takes you to two of the 14 2,000-metre peaks in the Bauges massif, Mont Pécloz and Mont d'Armenaz. The climb up to the pass separating the two peaks is quite steep, but you'll be accompanied by chamois. Once you reach the summit, Mont Pécloz offers a 360° view of the Alps. The descent is popular with ski tourers in winter.

Allez  découvrir le Refuge du Soplat des Nants par le sentier historique peu fréquenté non représenté sur les cartes qui évite en grande partie la piste carrossable et vous permet de rejoindre le Chalet du Soplat des Nants en trois heures.À faire de mai à novembre pour éviter les risques d’avalanches.

A little-used circular route that winds through the forest between Montagnette and the Refuge du Soplat des Nants, ideal for a long break. The return journey is on a track suitable for vehicles.This route is only accessible from May to October.

If you love the mountains and beautiful places, and you're not afraid of a little effort, then set off on this walk to discover Fort du Mont and admire the views on the way up and the large pine forests on the way down.

A beautiful circular hike that starts at the Bellachat mountain pastures with Beaufort cheese making, passing by the Croix de la Dormiaz and a path along the summit ridge with breathtaking views of the Albertville basin. Then head to the Pointe de la Grande Journée for stunning 360° views.

A pleasant hike in the Belledonne massif. Very pretty views and a wide variety of vegetation. Moderator's note (Caution): The Val Pelouse road is closed to all traffic 5.5km from the car park: following a landslide in January 2022, a large section of the road has been washed away.

From Val Pelouse, the ascent of Les Grands Moulins (2,495 m) offers hikers a varied and magnificent route. This summit is the penultimate rocky bastion at the northern end of the Belledonne mountain range. At the summit of Les Grands Moulins, the 360° panorama is breathtaking. To the south, Belledonne; to the west, Chartreuse and Vercors; to the north, the Chambéry cluse, Les Bauges and Les Aravis; to the east, Lauzière, Beaufortain, Vanoise and, in the background, the majestic Mont Blanc.

A beautiful loop on the trails of the Belleville Valley. Between mountain pastures, forests and ridges, you will discover magnificent panoramic views that unfold throughout the route. This hike is suitable for families with young hikers. There are numerous signs along the route to guide you.

An easy walk in the Bauges to discover the mountain pastures. Beautiful views of the region's peaks. Tarines and Abondances await you.

A short, easy hike to discover the Allant mountain pasture.

In the Belleville Valley, this easy hike allows you to discover, with family or friends and even in overcast weather, the valley of the Encombres torrent and two of its hamlets, the first of which is in ruins. They give you a picture of the agricultural activity in the valley. This trail passes through a very pleasant setting of forest and clearings, streams... You can extend the route by taking the circular that leads to the hamlet of Gittamelon.

A lovely little snowshoe hike to the Chalets de la Fullie from Ecole en Bauges. All the more beautiful when there is plenty of snow. The route is well marked with no difficulty in finding your way.