Hike to Mont Cornillon: From Ugine to Albertville

Last fall, starting in Ugine, I went on a hike to Mont Cornillon, a smaller mountain in the Beaufortain, then went down towards Albertville.

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

In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus (line 51) from Annecy to Ugine. I started walking along a bike path then crossed the Arly river. I continued to the Parking de la Cornilière, the usual starting point for the hike. From there, I followed a trail through Forêt de Cornillon to Col de la Forclaz. It had not been maintained in a while and there were a few fallen trees blocking the path. At Col de la Forclaz, I ate lunch then followed a ridge trail to the ruins of Château de Cornillon, a medieval castle that used to overlook the Arly valley. I started on the path down to Césarches and kept going until I reached  the Arly again. I then followed a bike path along the river all the way to Albertville. When I got there, I made a detour to the medieval town of Conflans (Cité Médiévale de Conflans), which has a nice viewpoint on Albertville. However, the sun had already set when I reached it. I then waited for the bus back to Annecy near the Mairie d’Albertville.

Above, Mont Charvin seen from the bus stop in Ugine.

Above, road to Albertville. I followed a bike path alongside it for a while.

Above, train tracks between the Ugitech factory and Albertville.

Above, la Chaise.

Above, Arly river.

Above, Mont Charvin.

Above, Roc Rouge and Belle Étoile behind it.

Above, door of Chapelle Saint-François-de-Sales in Marthod.

Above, goat.

Above, it was chestnut season.

Above, Ugine.

Above, in Forêt de Cornillon.

Above, it was also mushroom season.

Above, Dent de Cons.

Above, Mont Pécloz.

Above, at the beginning of a trail to Col de la Forclaz.

Above, some parts of the trail were unmaintained and I had to wade through some bush and fallen trees.

Above, at Col de la Forclaz.

Above, squirrel squirelling a chestnut away.

Above, I walked a little bit on the other side of the pass to have a look at the mountains: Mont Mirantin and la Roche Pourrie.

Above, Mont Mirantin.

Above, on the ridge trail of Mont  Cornillon.

Above, more ferns.

Above, near the summit (there is no trail and no view).

Above, Lac de Cornillon, very dry in the fall.

Above, Belle Étoile and Dent de Cons on the other side.

Above, la Tournette.

Above, Combe de Savoie towards Montmélian.

Above, information panel near the ruins of Château de Cornillon, a castle that used to overlook the valley in medieval times.

Above, some stones left.

Above, Mont Charvin.

Above, Dent de Cons.

Above, Roche Pourrie.

Above, well near the ruins.

Above, on the way down to Césarches.

Above, exiting the forest in Césarches.

Above, lizard.

Above, picnic tables at Col de Montessuit, with Roche Pourrie in the background.

Above, Chapelle du Prasier.

Above, Mont Charvin.

Above, communal oven.

Above, summit of Mont Cornillon.

Above, le Château.

Above, small goats.

Above, there was some walk on the side of the road.

Above, hydroelectric power plant in Venthon.

Above, Lauzière.

Above, Arly river.

Above, I followed a bike path along the Arly until Albertville.

Above, Albertville.

Above, Pont des Adoubes.

Above, bell tower in Conflans. Since there was some time left before the bus back to Annecy, I decided to go up to the medieval hamlet of Conflans.

Above, Mont Charvin still visible from there.

Above, Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption in Conflans. When I arrived there, the sun had set.

Above, looking towards the Chartreuse mountains.

Above, Albertville, with the Bauges mountains in the background

Above, Ancien Château.

Above, medieval street.

Above, Place de l’Europe near Albertville’s city hall.

Above, road to Chambéry.

Above, sunset on the Aravis while waiting for the bus.