Hike to Trou de l'Enfer, Canyon de Ternèze, le Grand Joueret & Mont Saint-Michel
In the fall of last year, I went on a hike in the Bauges mountains above Chambéry: I passed through Trou de l’Enfer, Canyon de Ternèze and Motte Castrale du Grand Joueret on the way to Chapelle Saint-Michel.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):
In the morning, I took a train to Chambéry then switched to a local Synchro Bus to Saint-Alban-Leysse. From there, I started walking towards the canyon formed by the Leysse river at the foot of the Bauges. I arrived at a place called Trou de l’Enfer (Hell Hole) where I crossed the river. I then walked up towards Canyon de Ternèze, a place popular for canyoning where Ruisseau de Ternèze forms a small gorge. I kept going up towards the village of Curienne. I crossed the village and arrived at Motte Castrale du Grand Joueret: It is a hill where a motte-and-bailey castle used to stand in earlier medieval times. There was a great view from up there, on the Bauges as well as the Chartreuse mountains on the other side of the valley, although it was bit foggy. Finally, I took the trail to Mont Saint-Michel (not that one), which is the location of Chapelle Saint-Michel, a small chapel. There, I watched the sunset. After the sun had set, I made a detour to the actual summit where there was also a good view. Finally, using a flashlight, I went down in the dark towards Challes-les-Eaux in the valley. I then boarded a bus back to the Chambéry train station.
More photos in the Flickr album.
Above, Château de Monterminod in Saint-Alban-Leysse.
Above, Leysse.
Above, water wheel at Le Bout du Monde (World’s End).
Above, flat trail along the Leysse river in the canyon.
Above, trail in the forest.
Above, bridge of Trou de l’Enfer.
Above, bend.
Above, canyon of the Leysse river.
Above, at Trou de l’Enfer.
Above, Mont Margeriaz, still foggy.
Above, Pointe des Torchets.
Above, Ruisseau de Ternèze.
Above, Canyon de Ternèze. There is a small trail to get upstream.
Above, rope for canyoning.
Above, millstone at Moulins de Fontaine Froide.
Above, on the way up to Curienne.
Above, Pointe de la Galoppaz.
Above, Église Saint-Maurice in the village.
Above, Alpage de Grand Joueret, with the hill of the Motte Castrale on the left.
Above, roaming dog.
Above, Mont Granier in the Chartreuse mountains.
Above, trail to Motte Castrale du Grand Joueret..
Above, Mont Peney.
Above, Mont Saint-Michel and Sommet de Montgelas in the background.
Above, Chambéry in the valley.
Above, Mont Margeriaz fully uncovered.
Above, Dent du Nivolet.
Above, going down.
Above, Chapelle du Mont Saint-Michel.
Above, on the way to the chapel.
Above, Pic de la Sauge.
Above, Pointe de la Galoppaz.
Above, ruins of an earlier chapel at Mont Saint-Michel.
Above, Sommet de Montgelas.
Above, Grand Roc.
Above, Chapelle Saint-Michel.
Above, Roc de Tormery.
Above, sunlight in the chapel.
Above, view towards Chambéry from behind the chapel.
Above, Chartreuse mountains on the other side of the valley.
Above, Tours de Chignin below.
Above, sunset.
Above, Belledonne.
Above, Dent du Chat in the distance.
Above, sunset on Pointe de la Galoppaz.
Above, going up to the actual summit of Mont Saint-Michel.
Above, Chapelle Saint-Michel with Mont Granier behind it.
aAbove, getting dark.
Above. flashlight in the forest on the way down.
Above, new hall of the Chambéry train station.
