Boucle de la Chambotte

The Chambotte loop starts from the Belvedere car park at Saint-Germain-la-Chambotte (Entrelacs): 4.7 km, about 1 h 50, 269 m of climb, yellow-and-green PR waymarks, up to 820 m. 'The Chambotte Belvedere is one of the finest viewpoints over the Lac du Bourget and Hautecombe Abbey (free access to the restaurant's roof). A 4.7 km loop offers a digestive walk largely through forest', writes the tourist office — the full step-by-step passes the natural belvedere, the Haut de Chambotte, Mont Corsuet, La Tailla and the Chambotte hamlet.

On difficulty, the same official sheet contradicts itself — 'very easy' in its route block, 'easy' in its summary box — and we quote both. Animals are accepted; the stony, earthen ground is 'not suitable for strollers' and the circuit 'not wheelchair-accessible'. On the return along the belvedere road, 'mind the traffic'.

'All year, every day', outside snowy spells and subject to fair weather. The belvedere's view spans the whole Lac du Bourget, with Hautecombe abbey below — the loop's KML file can be downloaded from the official sheet.