Hike to Rocher de Montmélian, Chemin des Vignes, Tours de Chignin & Mont Ronjou
At the beginning of 2020, I went on a hike below the southern tip of the Bauges mountains: Starting in Montmélian, I went up to Rocher de Montélian and visited the Christ d’Arbin nearby then walked on Chemin des Vignes (Vineyard Trail) until Chignin, visited the ruins of the medieval fortifications there and went up to Mont Ronjou at the end of the day.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML, download large map):
In the morning, I took a train to Montmélian, south of Chambéry. I first walked up to the top of Rocher de Montmélian (Rock of Montmélian), where a fortress (Fort de Montmélian) once stood. There are ruins here and there and a good view on the Isère valley below. After getting down, I headed towards Arbin nearby where a large statue of Christ was erected a few years ago on a rock above the valley. I then walked on Chemin des Vignes towards Chignin, in the middle of the vineyards. There was a great view on the valley and the surrounding mountains along the way. At Chignin, I visited the ruins of the watchtowers (Tours de Chignin) scattered in the vineyards. Finally, I took a trail to the summit of Mont Ronjou nearby, a small mountain above Chignin. After sunset, I walked down to Saint-Jeoire-Prieuré in the valley then took a series of bus to get to the Chambéry train station.
Above, Montmélian train station in the morning.
Above, Bauges above.
Above, on the way to Rocher de Montmélian.
Above, vineyard.
Above, the southern tip of the Bauges mountains.
Above, remnant of a gate of Fort de Montmélian at the of the Rocher.
Above, Chartreuse mountains, with Mont Granier on the right.
Above, towards Chambéry.
Above, Isère river.
Above, Dent d’Arclusaz.
Above, in the village of Montmélian.
Above, bell tower of Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption.
Above, rue de la Chaîne towards the Isère river.
Above, on Pont Morens looking at the Isère river .
Above, Rocher de Montmélian.
Above, Mont Blanc and Grand Arc.
Above, Vierge des Vignes in Arbin.
Above, Combe de Savoie.
Above, Statue du Christ Roi by Livio Benedetti. It looks like a smaller, more abstract version of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio.
Above, on Chemin des Vignes towards Chignin. I just walked a small part: The full trail starts near Grésy-sur-Isère.
Above, Grand Arc.
Above, view from Belvédère des Calloudes.
Above, Mont Blanc in the background.
Above, Isère valley towards Grenoble.
Above, Rocher de Montmélian.
Above, skink.
Above, fountain in Chignin, at the end of Chemin des Vignes.
Above, Mont Saint-Michel.
Above, Tours de Chignin.
Above, small chapel in Chignin.
Above, Prieuré de Saint-Anthelme being restored. It is one of the Tours de Chignin and dates from the middle ages.
Above, Notre-Dame des Champs et des Vignes.
Above, inside the square tower (Tour de la Place).
Above, Dent du Nivolet.
Above, Mont Granier.
Above, Dent du Nivolet and Mont Saint-Michel.
Above. towards Chambéry.
Above, on the way to Mont Ronjou.
Above, Tours de Chignin from Mont Ronjou.
Above, at the summit of Mont Ronjou.
Above, Roc de Tormery.
Above, Chapelle du Mont Saint-Michel.
Above, sunset.
Above, waiting for the bus at Saint-Jeoire-Prieuré.
Above, the new train station of Chambéry.
