Short circular of La Blonnière

This is a lovely little outing from the hamlet of La Blonnière. It is a pleasant walk, even in summer, because although the slope faces south, the route is quite shady. In winter, it can be more complicated, as we are still at an altitude of 1,000 metres and there is often snow.

Details

3122390
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.76 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 285 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 294 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,065 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 880 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the chapel on Route de la Blonnière, opposite no. 4011. Park along the road where it won't cause any inconvenience.
See other possible starting points in the practical information section.

(S/E) Head north on the tarmac road. Leave the road when it turns right and take a path on the left that goes straight up between the houses.

(1) At the T-junction, turn left (old bread oven). Follow the forest path to the north-west, which remains on the hillside. Cross a stream and continue into the forest. Climb steeply and ignore two paths on the left.

(2) At the next intersection (sign for "Pré Paget"), take a path on the right. Cross a stream and turn right (south). You will arrive at a meadow; follow the well-marked path. Join a tarmac road and follow it uphill.

(3) At the end (Saugy car park), head south along a path that crosses a meadow. Cross a stream (often dry). Follow the path that climbs up through the meadow. The path then descends and enters the undergrowth. At the crossroads, take the forest path on the right that descends (direction: La Pièce - Dingy St Clair). The path is very stony and runs alongside a stream on the right-hand side, which is often dry. Follow it for about 200 m

(4). At the Fournets farm (on the right bank of the stream), leave the forest track and take a small path on the left (official signpost with an arrow) - this path does not appear on the map. Cross a steep track, continue along the hillside, then cross a stream and continue south. Join an old track and follow it downhill to the right (steep). Reach a stream (potentially dry) and follow it to the right for about 50 metres.

(5) Cross the stream and continue downhill (south-west). At a crossroads, turn right (north-west) and continue downhill. You will come to a tarmac road; follow it uphill to the right.

(6) At a hairpin bend to the right, leave the road and take a path on the left (north) - sometimes obstructed by branches, but it is the right way. Descend slightly down the hillside. At the T-junction, turn right and go back up. Cross a small bridge and follow a stream below (on your left). Cross this stream (bridge + calvary) and, after a short steep climb, join a forest track. Follow this path downhill to the left. Come out onto the tarmac road and follow it to the right until you reach the chapel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 946 m - Chapelle Saint-Jacques (La Blonnière)
  2. 1 : km 0.13 - alt. 963 m - Bread oven - T-junction
  3. 2 : km 1.1 - alt. 1,049 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 2.13 - alt. 1,041 m - Car park
  5. 4 : km 2.89 - alt. 1,010 m - Ferme du Fournet - turn left...
  6. 5 : km 3.68 - alt. 987 m - Curtils stream
  7. 6 : km 4.55 - alt. 920 m - Sur le Crêt
  8. S/E : km 5.76 - alt. 946 m - Chapelle Saint-Jacques (La Blonnière)

Notes

As this short hike is circular, you can obviously start it at different points.
At point (3), which is a starting point on Parmelan where it is easy to park.
At point (6) because it is the end of the road and the two farms at Sur le Cret are abandoned: you can park there without disturbing anyone.

Worth a visit

Mont Lachat is also a nice little hike, which can be done as a round trip or as a circular hike.
Beautiful view of Annecy and the lake - in the background... Les Bauges.
And of course, the well-known Parmelan, which can also be done as a round trip or a circular.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
de Tellier Gilles
de Tellier Gilles

👍😊

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User 26025713
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, I didn't see anyone else. Great for a two-hour walk through woods and fields. Be careful at point 2, the turn right is very subtle, I missed it and didn't realise until 200 metres further on. It's clearly signposted, but subtle, so keep your eyes peeled.

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de Tellier Gilles
de Tellier Gilles

Thank you for the information.
I've never seen a Patou in this area.
Everything is changing.
To be continued
Best regards, G de T

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NanoudeBalma
NanoudeBalma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, i am here to add to my comment, as I noticed a remark by someone called "Annecien" who said the following: For each hike, indicate with a message or pictogram whether there is a risk of encountering Patou dogs along the way. Indeed, we are seeing more and more of them, with an increasing number of accidents involving hikers accompanied by their dogs or even alone. Even shepherds admit that they cannot always manage the situation... In this case, it is better to avoid them. It would be helpful if everyone could indicate their presence or absence after a hike. In principle, their location is fixed according to the mountain pastures where they are assigned in connection with the presence of flocks of sheep."
I think he is absolutely right and that it is a very good idea. Indeed, on the way back from this hike, before arriving at the village, on the tarmac road, at point No. 6, we walked along a meadow where there were sheep. They were enclosed by a fence. A large Patou dog suddenly arrived, barking. The fence protected us, but we were really scared...

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de Tellier Gilles
de Tellier Gilles

Thank you for your kind message.
Yes, it's a short route that I worked out during the Covid restrictions.
I enjoy the occasional scenic detours, either on Parmelan or in the valley.
Enjoy your future hikes – Gilles

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NanoudeBalma
NanoudeBalma

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, thank you to Gilles for this short hike. We completed it without any problems, to get us ready for the start of the season. There was a bit of mud and the ground was slippery in places. So you need good shoes. This route is pleasant and varied. We met a few trail runners and hikers. It allows you to enjoy nature when the weather is cloudy on other hikes and it's not worth climbing to higher ground to admire the distant landscapes. Le Parmelan is enough to satisfy us and we can admire it several times. We followed the GPS track, which is really reliable and prevents you from getting lost. I recommend activating it. Visorando is becoming easier and easier to use...

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de Tellier Gilles
de Tellier Gilles

Glad you enjoyed the hike...
Enjoy your future hikes... 😊

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Fred345962
Fred345962

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike with regular unobstructed views of the valley and surrounding mountains.
Much of the route is shaded.
A little muddy in places, but this is probably due to the heavy rains in April.
Be careful on the first climb not to miss the marker in the middle of a straight line and the barely visible path to take on the right.
At point 4, be careful on the descent, as the small path to take on the left is not very visible. It is opposite the "farm", which is actually the small building on the right.

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Nicominet
Nicominet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike taken in March with my partner and my dog. You need to wear hiking boots, as some sections of the trail are slippery and difficult.
Not many people at this time of year, just two or three trail runners. Parking is tricky at the starting point, but you can always find a way.
It's a peaceful and beautiful spot with a great view of the plain.
I recommend this hike because it is a very peaceful and cool place.

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Lala BASTARD
Lala BASTARD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views of the Aravis mountains
It was very warm that Sunday, so the shaded areas were very welcome
To be repeated!

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de Tellier Gilles
de Tellier Gilles

😊

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damal
damal

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A gentle hike we did from the Saugy car park. Lovely views of the Aravis mountain range

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GOGO
GOGO

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with a very varied environment, which is part of its charm. The Parmelan is visible almost throughout the entire route, except in the wooded areas, of course.
Be careful, however, as although this walk is classified as easy, and indeed it is, it does include some steep climbs and descents. Good footwear is therefore essential, as is some experience of hiking.

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Mangousto
Mangousto
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A nice, easy Sunday stroll with beautiful views of Parmelan and the valley.
I followed the GPX track, which is spot on.
A bit crowded due to the 10-kilometre lockdown!

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wanchan
wanchan
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I found this route magnificent, not very busy, varied, not difficult.

I just had a bit of trouble at point 4 – I went as far as the Pertuis pass and came back down to point 4. At point 4, there is a sign that says "Le Point (I think – didn't take a photo) in 30 minutes and Dingy", and you just had to follow the sign and walk past the logging sites to reach point 5.

I thought it was a shame that this part of the description hadn't been corrected, which is why I decided to send a message.

Really nice hike. I started at point 3 because it wasn't easy to park before that, and on the way back I climbed up to Chalet Chapuis and descended from Barman Sud to the car park.

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