Between Chamonix and the glittering waters of Lake Annecy, the southern Haute Savoie offers a wealth of walking that most visitors to the French Alps never discover. Dramatic limestone ridges, flower-rich alpine meadows, hidden mountain lakes, cascading waterfalls and the distinctive peaks of the Chaîne des Aravis and the Haut Giffre combine to create a landscape that rivals its more famous neighbours in beauty, without the crowds.

With walks suited to beginners and experienced walkers alike, this third edition Cicerone guidebook by Janette Norton, Alan Norton and Pamela Harris covers 30 graded day walks across southern Haute Savoie, ranging from 7 to 20km (4 to 12 miles) and taking between 3 and 8 hours. Route descriptions are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with detailed planning, accommodation and transport information throughout.

• 30 graded walks are included across six areas, covering the Vallée de l'Arve, Vallée du Haut Giffre, the Chaîne des Aravis north and south, the Plateau de la Borne and Lake Annecy, with walks graded from easy to difficult
• Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountains are covered with fully described routes, including La Tournette, the Cascades d'Angon and the Crête du Taillefer, exploring one of the most beautiful lake regions in France
• The Chaîne des Aravis, the dramatic limestone ridge running south of the Mont Blanc massif, is described in depth with multiple routes including the Trou de la Mouche, Circuit des Annes and Arête des Saix, fully detailed with 1:50,000 mapping
• The Plateau de la Borne, including the historically significant Plateau des Glières — site of a celebrated French Resistance stand in 1944 — is covered with full route descriptions for the Parmelan, Montagne de Sous-Dîne and the Glières memorial plateau itself
• 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files for every walk, with accommodation, transport and planning information throughout, alongside notes on Savoyard food and drink, history and wildlife

The southern Haute Savoie rewards every walker who looks beyond Chamonix and Annecy to the quieter valleys and ridges in between. Best walked from late spring to early autumn when higher routes are snow-free, this guidebook is the ideal companion for exploring one of the French Alps' most underrated walking regions.

Walking in the Haute Savoie South is one of two volumes covering the region — the companion guidebook Walking in the Haute Savoie North completes the picture across the full extent of this outstanding French Alpine destination.

Walking in the Haute Savoie: South - Quick Facts

Area: Southern Haute Savoie, French Alps 
Region covered: Between Chamonix and Lake Annecy 
Total walks: 30 
Walk distances: 7 to 20km (4 to 12 miles) 
Walk duration: 3 to 8 hours 
Difficulty: All abilities; most routes well within the capabilities of regular walkers; difficult routes have some exposed sections, often protected by cables, requiring a head for heights 
Areas covered: Vallée de l'Arve, Vallée du Haut Giffre, Chaîne des Aravis north and south, Plateau de la Borne, Lake Annecy 
Walk highlights: La Tournette, Cascades d'Angon, Trou de la Mouche, Circuit des Annes, Arête des Saix, Plateau des Glières, Parmelan, Lac d'Anterne, Lac de Vogealle, Lac de Gers 
Key landmarks: Lake Annecy, Chaîne des Aravis, Plateau des Glières (French Resistance memorial), Haut Giffre, Refuge de Moëde-Anterne 
Centres: Annecy, La Clusaz, Grand Bornand, Samoëns, Sixt, Thônes, La Roche-sur-Foron, Plateau d'Assy 
Mapping: 1:50,000 maps included for every walk 
Digital navigation: Downloadable GPX files included 
Best season: Late spring to early autumn; lower walks possible in winter 
Special features: Notes on Savoyard food and drink, history, wildlife and plants; accommodation and transport information; French glossary 
Companion volume: Walking in the Haute Savoie North

Author Highlight

“Since moving to the Geneva area about 50 years ago, the mountains of the Haute Savoie have been part of our lives. In good weather, the Môle and the Salève are always visible across the lake, with the peaks of the Chablais behind and the glistening snows of Mont Blanc towering over all. It is a view we will never tire of, and the walks in this guide lead visitors into the spectacular beauty of what has become our home.”

- Alan Norton and Pamela Harris, authors of Walking in the Haute Savoie: South

Map key
Location of walks
Preface
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
 

Seasons

Spring and summer, when the snow has melted and the slopes are bright with alpine flowers. Autumn, when the leaves are changing, and even winter for some of the lower walks

Centres

Annecy, La Clusaz, Grand Bornand, Plateau d'Assy, Samoëns, Sixt, Sallanches, Thônes, la Roche-sur-Foron

Difficulty

A variety of routes of differing length and height gain, suitable for most abilities, graded from easy to difficult. None require special equipment or expertise, but those graded difficult have some exposed sections, often protected by cables, and need a head for heights

Must See

Major peaks: Tournette, Tête de Boston, Parmelan, Môle Lakes: Annecy, Anterne, Vogealle, Gers, Lessy, Bénit, and numerous small mountain lakes Historical attractions: in the footsteps of English alpinist Alfred Wills, French Resistance monuments, monasteries, mountain chapels and shrines Geological features: dramatic waterfalls and limestone pavements Nature reserves, alpine gardens, bird migratory routes

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