A guidebook of walks in the lovely Haute Savoie mountains of France. This guide describes 30 circular routes of between 7 and 20 km, based around Annecy, La Clusaz, Grand Bornand, Plateau d'Assy, Samoëns, Sixt, Sallanches, Thônes, la Roche-sur-Foron. Graded from easy to difficult, there are walks to suit most abilities, but a few have some exposed sections and need a head for heights.
The guidebook is divided into 6 areas covering the Arve Valley, the Haut Giffre valley, the Chaîne des Aravis (north and south), Plateau de la Borne and Lake Annecy. Alongside a detailed route description and map, each walk has a summary of all you need to know before you set out (distance, time to walk, ascent, maximum altitude, grade and instructions for accessing the start). There is advice on travel, accommodation and equipment, as well as information about local wildlife and Savoyard food and drink, and a glossary of useful French words.
Visitors flock to the Chamonix area and the Mont Blanc range, but that is only part of what the Haute Savoie has to offer. With stunning views of high mountains as well as lower peaks to enjoy, the walks in this guide will show you a quieter, less busy side to this outstandingly beautiful area.
A companion volume, Walking in Haute Savoie: North, is also available.
Introduction
A short history of the Haute Savoie
Wildlife
Plants and flowers
Getting there
When to go
Accommodation
Savoyard food and drink
What to take
Waymarking
Maps
Safety
Using this guide
Vallée de l’Arve
Walk 1 Le Môle
Walk 2 Pointe de Marcelly
Walk 3 Tour de Chevran
Walk 4 Plateau d’Assy
Walk 5 Refuge de Moëde-Anterne
Vallée du Haut Giffre
Walk 6 Lac d’Anterne et le Dérochoir
Walk 7 Lac de Gers
Walk 8 Lac de la Vogealle
Walk 9 Tête de Bostan
Walk 10 Chalets de Criou
Chaîne des Aravis: Nord
Walk 11 Lac Bénit
Walk 12 Boucle des Confins
Walk 13 Trou de la Mouche
Walk 14 Circuit des Annes
Walk 15 Arête des Saix
Walk 16 Boucle du Lac de Lessy
Walk 17 Boucle de St-Jean-de-Sixt
Chaîne des Aravis: Sud
Walk 18 Pointe d’Orsière
Walk 19 Tour de La Tulle
Walk 20 Tour du Sulens
Walk 21 Tour de l’Aiguille de la Tournette
Walk 22 Boucle des Tervelles
Plateau de la Borne
Walk 23 Roche Parnal
Walk 24 Montagne de Sous-Dîne
Walk 25 Plateau des Glières
Walk 26 Le Parmelan
Lac d’Annecy
Walk 27 La Tournette
Walk 28 Cascades d’Angon
Walk 29 Crête du Taillefer
Walk 30 Montagne d’Entrevernes
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful information
Appendix C Glossary of useful French words
Janette Norton lived in France, near Geneva, for over 30 years with her physicist husband, Alan, raising four children and working in the marketing field. Her love of mountain walking dated from the time she was a guide in her twenties, and the proximity of the Alps and Jura to her home inspired her to continue her passion. After her children grew up, she branched out to explore other areas of France.