Roc de Chère by Menthon-Saint-Bernard: a forest full of life

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This forest walk takes you through very contrasting natural environments. Crossing the Roc de Chère, you pass from alpine to Mediterranean environments. Flora and fauna of opposing affinities find refuge on this rocky outcrop overlooking Lake Annecy.

Details

n°17468476
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.57 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 581 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 564 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,024 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,503 ft
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Photos

Heather or calluna?
Spotted salamander
Roc de Chére viewpoint
A forest nature reserve

Description of the walk

Park in the car park located on Allée du Bouverat, in the Choseaux district.

(S/E) Follow the signs for Belvédère du Roc de Chère, continuing left along Allée Bouverat, then taking Square des Bains. Turn right onto Chemin du Roc de Chère to reach the ruins of the ancient baths and the tomb of Hippolyte Taine, French philosopher and historian (1828-1893).

(1) Take the yellow marked trail opposite. Continue through the forest until you reach a crossroads.

(2) Turn right at the yellow signpost marked "Le Mur des Moines". Then keep right on the main path that runs alongside the golf course and head for the viewpoint.

(3) Continue up a short climb to reach a crossroads. Take the path on the left to begin the descent and arrive at the sign for "three-way junction".

(4) Turn left until you reach the entrance to the golf course.

(5) Stay on the track on the left to return to the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(2) Turn right and retrace your steps to return to the Allée du Bouverat car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,506 ft - Allée du Bouverat car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 1,660 ft - Tomb of Hippolyte Taine
  3. 2 : mi 0.79 - alt. 1,847 ft - Crossroads of the circular
  4. 3 : mi 1.73 - alt. 1,929 ft - Le belvédère du Roc de chère
  5. 4 : mi 2.06 - alt. 1,952 ft - Three-way junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.49 - alt. 1,831 ft - Le marais du golf
  7. S/E : mi 3.57 - alt. 1,506 ft - Allée du Bouverat car park

Notes

Access via the Voie Verte cycle path around Lake Annecy.
Bus 61 from Annecy, Menthon-Saint-Bernard stop, main town.

(S/E) The Bouverat car park is located before the Menthon-Saint-Bernard palace, indicated on the right in a side lane.

Bordered by the circular of the (2), the Roc de Chère is a nature reserve managed by Asters, the Haute-Savoie Nature Conservancy.

Let's take advantage of this fragile natural environment to remind ourselves to:
• Picking a flower means destroying a plant.
• The presence of dogs in the reserve disrupts the ecosystem: destruction of broods, transmission of germs, stress to wildlife.
• Your only motivation is your heart. This area is best explored on foot.
• Take your rubbish with you.
• Camping and fires are prohibited.
• Stay on the main path to limit the risk of destroying rare and discreet plants and to avoid losing future hikers.

Let's share our natural environment and adopt good practices.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Domboss
Domboss

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy walk, mostly in the shade. You can also extend the walk by 10 minutes by heading to the second viewpoint from the first.

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User 18267858

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A bit busy at the weekend but nothing too bothersome
A lovely little walk for the whole family, accessible to most people.
Lovely woods, tour of the golf course and some beautiful views.
Very shady course, suitable for all seasons and especially nice in hot weather.

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User 3930276

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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idée randonnée
idée randonnée

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike through the woods with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks. The snow-capped Tournette silhouetted against the blue sky and the lake sparkling with a thousand lights enchanted the nine participants on this walk.

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Pericles321
Pericles321

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The view from the Roc de Chère viewpoint is well worth the trip. The walk through the forest from the car park (paying) to the viewpoint is very easy and pleasant.

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jemarche72
jemarche72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking in deciduous woodland is very popular during this heatwave!
No major difficulties, the route is easy, and the return via the Echarvines golf course is very pleasant.

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Katy78
Katy78

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant shaded walk in this scorching weather. Beautiful views.
At point (4) 'at the entrance to the golf course, stay on the track on the left' - this track seemed overgrown, so we crossed the golf course following the 'walkers' sign and turned without any problems.
It also seemed to us that there was more elevation gain than advertised.

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LauraVDB
LauraVDB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike with magnificent views. Be sure to visit the second viewpoint, which is well worth the detour (it is located behind the first after a short, challenging climb). It took us three hours at a slow/moderate pace, stopping to admire the views. Very pleasant in hot weather as it is mostly in the forest. The free car park in Menthon (visible on maps) is very convenient. Elevation gain 220m, hiking boots essential, some sections a little technical but everything else very cool with old stone buildings, wooden shelters, the grave of a philosopher... I recommend it! The lake is nearby, so you can cool off at the end of the hike.

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Mikmike
Mikmike

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woods, with nice views of La Clusaz.

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ASEB Marche-loisir
ASEB Marche-loisir

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easily accessible walk with two beautiful views of the lake.

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Lukowiak Michel
Lukowiak Michel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy walk.

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Phonsy
Phonsy

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The elevation gain is about 200 metres, but based on our observations in the field, the route was probably mapped out using a computer... so it's like the weather forecast: when they tell us the temperature, it's not always accurate... We deviated from the indicated route several times! Otherwise, it's pleasant, but you still need to be able to walk, so beginners should refrain. You also need good shoes because of the uneven footpaths.

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guyon
guyon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Luckily, we were able to do this walk just before heavy rain set in!
It was a very pleasant walk through the deciduous undergrowth (a nice change from our fir trees!) with lovely views of the lake, despite the dense vegetation in places.
It seemed to us that the elevation gain was significantly greater than advertised, around 300 metres according to the data for the highest and lowest points.

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Rando Nature Haute-Savoie
Rando Nature Haute-Savoie

Hello Chrysara, if you click on 'download the complete PDF file', the itinerary will be saved in your downloads folder. Have a nice day.

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Chrysara
Chrysara

Unable to download the free trial hike... Doesn't make me want to subscribe...

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