Hike to Belvédère du Mont Lachat (Thônes)
Last fall, I went on a hike in Thônes: I climbed to the Belvédère du Mont Lachat, a viewpoint located below the summit.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):
In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus from Annecy to Thônes. I visited Eglise Saint-Maurice then went on my way to a trail called Circuit Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in the valley along the river Le Nom. I followed it until Chapelle de la Bossonaz, after which the Circuit loops back to Thônes. Instead, I went the other way, towards Mont Lachat. The trail to the Belvédère is mostly in the forest, until the last part on a ridge before it reaches a cliff below the summit of Mont Lachat. The Belvédère offers a great view of the valley and the surrounding mountains. On the way down, I started the same way but soon took a trail that goes through a few chalets until Les Villards-sur-Thônes in the valley, where I waited for the bus back to Annecy.
Above, in front of the bus stop in Thônes.
Above, Tête à Turpin.
Above, Eglise Saint-Maurice.
Above, Mont Lachat.
Above, the first part was on a paved road.
Above, ridge of Mont Lachat.
Above, on the Circuit Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Above, the path followed the river Le Nom.
Above, Chapelle de la Bossonaz.
Above, Pont Romain in front of the chapel. I crossed the river to climb up Mont Lachat.
Above, trailhead.
Above, at Le Fételay.
Above, La Tournette.
Above, a couple of donkeys, with the Aravis behind them.
Above, Pointe de Beauregard.
Above, back on the trail.
Above, Combe Banon, an emergency hut.
Above, cross at an intermediate viewpoint. I ate lunch there then continued.
Above, La Tournette.
Above, Thônes in the valley.
Above, the first of the Granges de Lachat.
Above, Pointe Percée.
Above, on the ridge of Mont Lachat.
Above, Aravis.
Above, Plateau de Beauregard on the other side of the valley.
Above, La Grande Balmaz.
Above, Pointe de Dran.
Above, towards Faverges.
Above, Mont Charvin and Montagne de Sulens.
Above, Col des Aravis.
Above, Pointe de la Québlette and Col de la Buffaz.
Above, almost at the Belvédère.
Above, Les Villards-sur-Thônes below.
Above, towards Lake Annecy.
Above, there is a path from the Belvédère to the summit of Mont Lachat. However, it involves some climbing.
Above, panorama from the Belvédère.
Above, La Tournette.
Above, Montagne de Sulens.
Above, ridge on the way down.
Above, climbing path to the summit of Mont Lachat.
Above, back at the Granges de Lachat.
Above, Mont Lachat.
Above, after sunset.
Above, arriving at Les Villards-sur-Thônes. The bus stop is right below the supermarket.