Hike to Sentier des 3 Croix (Semnoz)

Last January, I went on a hike to the Sentier des 3 Croix (3-Cross Trail), at the foot of Semnoz near Annecy.

Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):

In late morning, I took a local bus to Bonlieu in the center of Annecy then headed to the start of the path near Les Marquisats. At first, I followed a paved road but I soon reached the forest. I walked past each of the 3 crosses: Croix de Chuguet, Croix du Crêt and Croix du Chef-Lieu. There was a great view on Lake Annecy and the Bornes mountains from each. After the last cross, I went down towards Sévrier. Another option would have been to stay on the Semnoz and loop back through the Circuit Central, like I did the last time I was in the area. In Sévrier, I made a detour to have a look at the Grotte de Notre Dame de Lourdes, a shrine to Mary built in 1900. Finally, I walked along the Voie Verte bike road to get back to Annecy.

Above, in Bonlieu.

Above, bike road along the Pâquier.

Above, Lake Annecy.

Above, Parmelan.

Above, Quai Napoléon III.

Above, at Base Nautique des Marquisats.

Above, ice on the ground.

Above, Plage des Marquisats, a public beach.

Above, in Promenade de Cheltenham.

Above, Talabar on the other side of the lake.

Above, start of the path at Colmyr.

Above, looking south.

Above, La Tournette.

Above, start of the forest trail.

Above, the first cross, Croix de Chuguet.

Above, good view.

Above, Mont Baret.

Above, Croix du Crêt.

Above, Dents de Lanfon.

Above, Chapeau de Napoléon, between Mont Baron and Mont Baret.

Above, Croix du Chef-Lieu.

Above, Dent du Cruet, Dents de Lanfon, Lanfonnet, Roc de Chère, La Tournette and Rocher du Roux.

Above, Port de Sévrier.

Above, church of Sévrier.

Above, La Tournette and Château de Duingt.

Above, on the way down.

Above, in Sévrier.

Above, Grotte de Notre-Dame de Lourdes.

Above, view from the shrine.

Above, Eglise Saint-Blaise.

Above, Jardin du Prieuré, a park behind the church.

Above, Voie Verte.

Above, at the lake.

Above, on the Promenade des Seines.

Above, Montagne d’Entrevernes.

Above, cliff of Mont Veyrier.

Above, Salève.

Above, Montagne de la Mandallaz.

Above, Parmelan.

Above, Les Marquisats.

Above, red-crested pochard.