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Sainte-Marie-d'Alvey walks
Circular walk of Chenevières, via the Roche des Millières
Les Chenevières is a wooded rocky ridge connecting Banchet to Mont Tournier, between the Cols de la Crusille and Cols de la Lattaz. This short circular route, which can be completed in half a day with the family, passes by the Pierre des Millières viewpoint and numerous daffodil sites in spring.
Mont Tournier
The Mont Tournier hike is described several times on the site, and this circular route differs from previous descriptions in a few ways. Part of this route is on tarmac roads, but there is very little traffic.
Mont Tournier from Saint-Maurice
A modest peak in the Savoyard foothills, Mont Tournier offers the opportunity for a pleasant hike to discover the vestiges of the past and the history of the Italian engineer Galetti.
Circular route via Mont Chaffaron from Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens
A circular loop mainly through woodland, venturing slightly off the beaten track and suitable for all seasons.
Circular route from La Lattaz to Mont Tournier from Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens
This circular route, suitable for all seasons, takes you along the ridge of the Montagne du Tournier, which runs from the Col de la Lattaz to Mont Tournier (877m), passing through various characteristic spots in the area, with unobstructed views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Avressieux Marshes Route
The Avressieux Marshes: an easy route to discover peace and nature along the water’s edge.
The circular Banchet: daffodils and Château de Montbel
Montagne du Banchet is very popular when the daffodils are in bloom: the proposed route runs along the flower-covered ridge and stretches to the ruins of the proud Château de Montbel.
From Col du Banchet to Château de Montbel
A pleasant, sunny half-day walk, very popular in spring when the daffodils are in bloom.
Loop starting from Grésin
This loop starting from the village of Grésin allows you to discover the site where the Italian engineer Galetti installed his harp antenna.
Today, the site on the edge of a cliff offers a beautiful view of the Rhône canalised between the departments of Savoie and Ain.
It then follows a section of the Way of St James.
The route is dotted with shells, of course, but also with stone and metal crosses.
Circular Mont Tournier hike via the Chemin de la Boissière
The Mont Tournier area offers numerous combinations of forest trails, which are often signposted and relatively well-used. This circular path deviates from these paths in part to reveal an ancient passage between two levels of the cliff overlooking the Rhône, leading to the Trou de la Mule and the Grotte de Jean Gonet, known only to a select few and a handful of hunters.
Please note: the route is in poor condition and difficult to follow in places: see Practical Information
Chemin du Follaton, Chemin des Bidons
This is an 8-shaped hike; you can do the southern circular loop or the northern circular loop. You can also do both, starting from the centre of the village of Dullin.
Bois de Glaize: Saint-Martin Chapel, Recorba and Mont Tournier
This circular route takes place mainly in the forest and can be completed in any season in half a day, allowing you to visit the characteristic sites and viewpoints of this area crossed by pilgrims on the Way of St James.
The Balcons du Lac d'Aiguebelette from Nances
This long circular loop takes you across the slopes of L'Épine overlooking Lake Aiguebelette, between a rather tough and steep climb and a return to lake level. It can get hot here on summer afternoons, but it remains passable until late in the season, as long as the snow does not fall below 800m.
Circular walk from Nances
This circular walk can be enjoyed in any season, taking you up above Novalaise to the Sainte-Rose Chapel, then up to the former Villas Doria before crossing over to the site of the old Épine fortified castle and descending back into the valley.
Mont Gela and Château de Tavollet circular
Mont Gela is a micro-range at the southern end of the Bugey, which offers a variety of routes despite its low altitude and limited size. The proposed circular visits its main sites and endeavours to pass by the viewpoints of its limestone ridge. Feasible in all seasons, it requires a good sense of direction, as some forgotten passages are poorly marked on the ground and vegetation sometimes obstructs the path.
Verthemex - Le Sentier de la Vierge.
A short hike in the Savoyard hinterland on ancient paths, once essential to economic life, now developed for the enjoyment of hikers.
La Croix du Signal and the Échelles de Château Richard on the Verthemex side
A circular forest loop, which can be completed in half a day and is accessible for most of the year, passing by the Croix du Signal viewpoint overlooking the Cluse de Chambéry and the Échelles de Chateau-Richard with its views of Lake Aiguebelette.
Château Richard and Croix du Signal on the Verthemex side
A hike for everyone, entirely through woodland, with two superb viewpoints to discover the Chambéry basin, the foothills of the Bauges massif, the northern Chartreuse (Mont Granier) and, the icing on the cake, His Majesty Mont Blanc.
There is a slight difficulty in the form of three steel ladders, which can be bypassed via another path so you don’t miss a thing.
Circular of the Hauts de Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers
This walk allows you to discover the village of Saint-Genix and climb to its heights to cross a rural area offering beautiful views of the Chartreuse, then follow a section of the Way of St James leading back to the village after crossing a forest.
Croix du Signal
The Croix du Signal is a point on the Mont du Chat ridge that is easily accessible in all seasons and offers, in fine weather, a sweeping view. In winter, the easiest ascent is on the western slope, from the former Verthemex snow stadium.
Montagne d’Izieu and Grand Thur from Murs
The Montagne d’Izieu and the Grand Thur are accessible all year round via numerous paths criss-crossing the area. The circular route described here takes you along these paths from the Route de Fay via pleasant wooded trails.
Route around Combe Grenand
An easy route, starting from the village of La Bridoire, offering an insight into contemporary history, whilst also providing the chance to marvel at the work of water which, over millennia, has shaped the geological features of what is now the Combe Grenand.There are various information boards along the route, including a series designed as a game for children.
Loop around La Bridoire and Saint-Béron
A very pleasant walk, often in the shade. Ideal for very hot days. Very little tarmac and, as a bonus, waterfalls. Points of interest: the Robin Stele (a tragic episode in the Resistance), the gorges visible from the footbridge, the waterfall, etc.
On the heights of La Bridoire
A pleasant walk in good weather. Some sections are quite steep.
Please note that for much of the route, signposting is virtually non-existent. Take care, and use the map or GPS track.
Château Richard Croix du Signal circuit.
The Épine massif near Chambéry is criss-crossed by numerous marked and unmarked trails; it is a mountain that has always been traversed by people. It is a vibrant area with economic and tourist appeal.Here is a short route that allows you to discover some of its attractions.
From the Col de l'Épine
A beautiful hike, not too difficult despite a few climbs! But no problem for experienced hikers. The route is partly shaded.
La Croix de Saint-Clair from Izieu
A hike from the picturesque village of Izieu, steeped in history, to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the Rhône and its valley.
Mont de Cordon from La Bruyère
A lovely walk starting from the banks of the Rhône, leading to the Mont de Cordon viewpoint (altitude 400 m) and offering a beautiful panorama of the Rhône and the Izieu mountain. During the climb, you pass a beautiful private castle and on the way back, you can see three caves that were inhabited during prehistoric times: the Bonne Femme cave, an unnamed cave and the Liévrin cave.
The Grand Thur circular loop from Izieu
Circular route above Izieu, suitable for all seasons. The route is mainly through forest but offers some views of the Rhône valley and the surrounding mountains.
Mont Grelle
This hike takes you to the summit of Mont Grelle and runs along part of Lake Aiguebelette, which can be admired from a viewpoint.
Aiguebelette, Rocher du Corbeau, Col du Crucifix and Col Saint-Michel
Starting from Aiguebelette, this is an easy hike on the western slope of the Épine mountain, taking the Voie Romaine and the Voie Sarde. This route offers numerous views of Lake Aiguebelette.
See the safety recommendations at (9).
On the heights of Lake Aiguebelette
A moderately challenging hike overlooking the beautiful Lac d'Aiguebelette. You’ll follow part of the old trade routes between France and Italy and discover the François I Cave.
Water Trail in Brégnier-Cordon
A marked trail allows you to explore several water-related areas (hillside, stream, marsh) around Glandieu and its waterfall.
Some paths are not maintained, see notices.
Mont du Chat ridge: from the TV relay station to the Croix du Signal
The Crête de la Montagne du Chat route follows paths and tracks with little change in elevation, offering exceptional views at both ends.
Between Pressins and Saint-Jean-d'Avelanne
This route first winds through woods and hillsides, then returns via the 'flat' part, avoiding tarmac roads where possible.
The Mont Grêle lookout
The Mont Grêle lookout point and Archelle’s summit.
Mont Grêle is a peak that is visible from the valley of Chambéry and the Aiguebelette region.
It is easily spotted thanks to or because of the pylons that are installed at the top. Up close, these towers have still look great, but they do not alone justify the purpose of the tour, which is interesting because it offers views over Lake Aiguebelette and Chartreuse.
The Dent du Chat from the Relais des Aigles
Ascent to the Dent du Chat from the Relais des Aigles. Splendid views, with 90 per cent of the walk taking place in the shade amongst the trees. Along the way, you’ll come across giant anthills shaped like large piles of fir needles, magnificent vegetation and plenty of butterflies and bumblebees. On arrival, there’s a superb view of Lake Bourget, with – in season – numerous paragliders flying overhead.
The Dent du Chat circular route from the Hôtel de la Source
A fairly challenging walk on the first section with an average gradient of around 20%. Some quite vertiginous sections, but well secured with cables and ladders.On the descent, part of the path is poorly marked or unmarked; it is best to have some basic orienteering skills. At the top, superb views of Mont Blanc, Belledone, the Chartreuse, the Bauges, etc.
Maisons Fortes viewpoint: a circular walk from Le Chevelu
From Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu, a circular route to the Maison Forte viewpoint above Vernatel offers a superb view towards the Chevelu Lakes. It is possible to climb to the Dent du Chat via the Col de la Vacherie.