The Nivolet Cross circuit from Feclaz

A circuit from Féclaz to the Nivolet Cross overlooking Chambéry.

Technical sheet

64490
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 338 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 337 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,538 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,292 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the car park in front of the Aurora Chalet (S), a cottage belonging to the FOL.
At the crossroads, take the D206a for about 500 m (sign for Chalet de Glaise, Cross de Nivolet) at the crossroads following (1) Turn right on the forest track leading to Chalets de Glaise.

(2) Pass by the track to the right and turn left through the pasture to reach the forest.
Then follow the yellow markings present on posts and on panels with a Green background and Yellow line (standard PR® trail markings: “Promenade et Randonnée” Walks and Hikes). Continue this PR® route for about 2 km before reaching a new crossroads.

(3) Turn left, the panel indicates, in green: Nivolet Cross 10 minutes, (and 20 min in Blue, but this is the time taken in winter with snowshoes), to then reach the cross.

(4) Start the return journey by the same route as far as the previous crossroads (3).

(3) Then take the road opposite in the direction of the Sire car park. The trail is also marked Yellow but the lines are on the trees. Stay in the forest for about 2 km before reaching the alpine chalets overlooking the Sire, continue on to the car park at the summer camp.

(5) Take the paved road that starts from La Féclaz. Stay on this road for 1 km, reach a left turn.

(6) Take the path on the right, join the track from the Chalets de Glaise, take it in a right turn. Then reach the chalets (2) and take the outbound path to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,300 m - Chalet de la FOL
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 1,293 m - D206a track junction
  3. 2 : km 1.06 - alt. 1,298 m - Chalets de Glaise
  4. 3 : km 3.32 - alt. 1,510 m - Croix de Nivolet crossroads
  5. 4 : km 4.04 - alt. 1,455 m - CROIX DU NIVOLET
  6. 5 : km 7.15 - alt. 1,409 m - Holiday camp car park
  7. 6 : km 8.15 - alt. 1,356 m - Crossroads, footpath
  8. S/E : km 9.94 - alt. 1,300 m - Chalet de la FOL

Practical information

No water refill point, make sure you bring plenty as the woods are very warm here in summer.
The view from the Nivolet Cross over Chambery and Lake Bourget is a real bird’s eye view.
Belledonne is visible almost in its entirety as the view starts at the Grand Pic and ends at the Grands Moulins.

In the nearby area

Chambéry.
Aix les Bains.
Lake Bourget.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 112 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
mamiechristine
mamiechristine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike, well marked with magnificent views from the cross.
The woodland trail is perfect for hikes in sunny, warm weather.

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Jadax42
Jadax42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice walk, easy to follow and easy to do.
Nice view once you reach the Croix, still very busy even in the off-season.

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Tatalolo
Tatalolo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Unfortunately that day we were in the cloud layer and were unable to enjoy the view of the lake and mountains.

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Mitchoum1950
Mitchoum1950

The altitude given for the Croix du Nivolet (1455 metres) seems wrong to me, as it is closer to 1545 metres...

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levex55
levex55

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very nice, easy hike with an exceptional final viewpoint!

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Richardguy
Richardguy

A very fine hike, of moderate difficulty, with a very fine reward at the summit. An extraordinary panorama.
Very pleasant return via Chalet le Sire. Worth repeating

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michelmorizot
michelmorizot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The return path is in poor condition, with a stony downhill section, making it rather dangerous in places.

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Richardguy
Richardguy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

On this sunny but cool Sunday, it was the perfect day for this superb hike.
We were delighted with the beautiful views.

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kervefell
kervefell

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Perfect

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JOELLE55
JOELLE55

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Not many people on the early morning ascent, but the descent to the Chalets du Sire is busier.

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StephG
StephG

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant walk with no difficulties. Arriving early means you can walk without too many people. A very popular walk on Sundays. The view from the Croix is breathtaking 😎. Great for families or friends.

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gaud bernard
gaud bernard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

beautiful view

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Babie&David
Babie&David

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice route from la feclaz. On this relatively busy May bank holiday. But what a view!
Great to do with the family or friends.

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Chaden
Chaden
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice hike on 4 February 2024. 360° view from La Croix. Too bad the whole valley with Chambéry and the lake were shrouded in mist. There was no snow, and the Féclaz ski slopes were even closed, so there were a lot of people on this route. No snowshoes, but some frozen snow, so we had to be careful.
The section of road after the Sire car park is not very pleasant. It's better to take the wide path on the right opposite the Chalets du Sire that leads back down to Glaize.

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Georges le tien
Georges le tien

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

It was a very pleasant walk

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