A circular route through the Bois du Mont starting from Thônes

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A visit to the ‘King of the Mountain’ – a grove of spruce trees – and enjoy the view of Thônes from the highest point.

Details

n°2799845
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.33 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,339 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,332 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,340 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,047 ft
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Photos

After visiting the ‘kings of the mountain’, view over the Thônes valley
The former king of the Mount

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on Rue de la Tournette.

(S/E) Walk back towards the centre for 200 m, then turn right onto Rue du Mont. At the end of the street, walk past the reservoir and start the climb up a wide path. You’ll reach the small rest area at a place called La Table Ronde.

(1) Continue uphill without leaving the main path to reach the Communal du Mont.

(2) 50 m past the Communal du Mont, ignore the path towards La Frasse and continue along the path on the right. The path then continues uphill and eventually joins a track.

(3) After a reservoir, take the path on the left to reach, after 200 m, the site of the old and new Roi du Mont.

(4) Return to the track.

(3) Turn left onto it; after 100 m, leave this track as it branches off to the left and continue straight ahead. (viewpoint over the valley). Follow the track and then the footpath to reach the Mont Sud communal area.

(5) Start the descent on the right via a winding path that leads to a tarmac road; take this to the right towards the castle.

(6) Walk past Thônes Castle. Retrace your steps to the main road (or cut across the fields) to the car park on Rue de la Tournette (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,054 ft - Car park on Rue de la Tournette. Near the - Église Saint-Maurice (Thônes)
  2. 1 : mi 0.8 - alt. 2,556 ft - Round table
  3. 2 : mi 1.14 - alt. 2,828 ft - Communal du Mont
  4. 3 : mi 1.54 - alt. 3,199 ft - Reservoir
  5. 4 : mi 1.67 - alt. 3,261 ft - Le Roi du Mont
  6. 5 : mi 2.52 - alt. 3,320 ft - Communal area on the southern slope
  7. 6 : mi 3.95 - alt. 2,159 ft - Château Joseph Avet (Thônes)
  8. S/E : mi 4.33 - alt. 2,054 ft - Car park on Rue de la Tournette

Notes

Route marked with yellow and green signs.
Round table, picnic area.

Worth a visit

The kings of the mountain (spruce trees). All that remains of the old tree is the stump, but a replacement stands 20 metres away.
The view of Thônes from the highest point.
In Thônes: On the way back along the road, there is the option of a possible detour to see Thônes Castle, which is sadly in a state of neglect.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Lolo774
Lolo774

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike gets off to a good start for almost half the route, but the problem arises after point 2, where the trail is blocked by a barrier and the area beyond is inaccessible, so you’re forced to head back to the road, which is full of cars and lorries... Strangely, when you reach point 2 on the app, a ✋ appears – a sort of user warning – and we would have liked to have known that beforehand... The hike loses some of its charm

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Laure-Mathilde
Laure-Mathilde

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

That's brilliant

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Laurent M.
Laurent M.

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk starting from Thônes; it climbs steadily and descends steeply.
If done in autumn, make sure you wear good shoes
Didn’t use the description; the GPS track is sufficient on its own.
Completed in 2 hours without a break.

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viriot eve
viriot eve
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

There is some confusion at point 3, as the path to take is opposite the exit of the path that runs past the reservoir.
The crossroads comprises the path we have just come from, the track suitable for vehicles, and the path leading to Les Rois du Mont.
The descent is steep and rough.
If we come back this way, we’ll take the longer path, which seems to be quieter – point 5.
The suggestion of a picnic at a place called La Table Ronde is welcome.

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