Verthemex - Le Sentier de la Vierge.

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A short hike in the Savoyard hinterland on ancient paths, once essential to economic life, now developed for the enjoyment of hikers.

Details

n°126799
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 293 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 294 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 938 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 651 m
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Description of the walk

Parking near the Verthemex war memorial. The Vierge trail starts just above: directional sign at the side of the road.

(S) Climb left along the path marked in yellow. Pass two paths on the right and follow the switchbacks to reach the Croix de la Rochette in about 40 minutes (viewpoint and sign).

(1) Before the cross, leave the path and turn right, following the yellow markings into a more open area.
This will take you to the mound where the statue of the Virgin Mary stands (altitude 916m, sign and orientation table).
The route rejoins the small road.

(2) Take it to the left to arrive, 200m further on, at the hamlet of La Vellaz: sign, fountain, mural.

(3) At the crossroads, take the road on the right (D42) and follow it for 800m. As you enter the forest, leave the road and take the path that descends to the right.

(4) At the next intersection, La Drettaz, leave the path and descend the trail on the right (steep slope at the beginning). Pass several paths on the left, follow the road you took earlier and then cross it. You will arrive at the first houses of Verthemex and find the starting point, all in about 30 minutes.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 652 m
  2. 1 : km 1.03 - alt. 871 m - Croix de la Rochette.
  3. 2 : km 1.38 - alt. 905 m - Small road
  4. 3 : km 1.61 - alt. 919 m - Crossroads in the hamlet.
  5. 4 : km 2.57 - alt. 921 m - La Drettaz
  6. S/E : km 4.46 - alt. 651 m

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Vivelasavoie
Vivelasavoie
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the countryside. The initial climb is quite steep for old legs

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MaximeB
MaximeB

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike to do with the family in good weather. The view is fantastic when you reach the statue of the Virgin Mary.
The start is a little steep on the way up, but it's not too difficult if you take your time. Suitable for children and dogs.
Thanks for the route!

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philmo
philmo

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

7

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chantal.raffin
chantal.raffin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and varied route. However, on the descent towards Verthenex, we saw a sign pointing towards "La Pierre de Rave". As we hadn't climbed very high, we decided to go and see this rock, which was a 10-minute round trip. We never found it. No directions. Fortunately, we came across some locals who were happy to give us explanations.

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danielperrissinfabert
danielperrissinfabert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Nice hike in the woods. Quite a steep climb at the start.

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JPierr
JPierr
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A rather pleasant walk, apart from the slightly steep start, nothing to complain about, beautiful view of the Savoyard countryside once you reach the highest point, with an orientation table. There's a lovely trompe l'oeil in the village and a pleasant descent through the undergrowth, where the ground and dead trees are covered with thick moss. The late afternoon sunlight creates bright green reflections.

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boblancien
boblancien

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The trail is a bit steep for an easy hike, I think, but then again, I'm no expert on this kind of hiking. The view of the Savoyard countryside is still nice, though.

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HERVE LECOQ
HERVE LECOQ
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Easy family walk where points of interest are marked with descriptive signs and orientation tables.
At the start of the route, there is a steep climb up to the cross. Pleasant paths.
If you follow the yellow stripe on green background signs, there is no risk of taking the wrong path.

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pilastre
pilastre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike. We just took a wrong turn at the end, missed the path that runs alongside the road, and had to take the road. We then found the path again where it crossed the road.

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pilastre
pilastre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike. Magnificent views. We just missed the return path that runs alongside the road. We didn't see the signpost leading to this path. So we took the road and rejoined the path at the intersection with the road.

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