Hike to Vallée de Montmin & Col de la Forclaz
During winter 2020, I went on a hike in Vallée de Montmin below La Tournette.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML, download large map):
In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus (line 52) and got off at the “Giez - Gare” bus stop. I headed towards the hamlet of Vesonne and found the old dirt road that goes up to Vallée de Montmin. Once I reached Plan Montmin, I took a trail below the mountains in order to reach the center of the village of Montmin. I visited the local church (Église Saint-Maurice) then continued towards the back of the valley, at Les Prés Ronds below Col de l’Aulp. I ate lunch there below La Tournette then took a trail down along Nant de Montmin on the other side of the valley. Instead of going all the way down to Vesonne, once I reached the hamlet of La Côte, I went up to Col de la Forclaz and finally took a trail down to Verthier in the valley.
Above, LIHSA bus stop (Giez - Gare).
Above, start of the old road to Montmin, in the hamlet of Vesonne (Faverges-Seythenex).
Above, looking down at Vesonne from the trail, with the Bauges mountains in the background.
Above, Pointe de Velan.
Above, a small ford on the trail.
Above, oratoire du Sacré Coeur de Jésus.
Above, Pointe de la Sambuy.
Above, arriving at Plan Montmin.
Above, Bornes mountains.
Above, chapel.
Above, on the way to the center of Montmin.
Above, Chapelle des 7 Fontaines.
Above, one of the 7 fountains.
Above, Col de la Forclaz.
Above, Mont Trélod.
Above, Pointe de la Rochette and Rocher du Roux.
Above, Pointe de Chenevier.
Above, Église Saint-Maurice in Montmin.
Above, La Tournette above.
Above, Pointe de Velan and Pointe d’Arcalod.
Above, on the way to Les Prés Ronds and Refuge du Pré Vérel.
Above, Rocher du Roux.
Above, hamlet of La Côte. I will pass though there on the way to Col de la Forclaz.
Above, the village of Montmin and Pointe de Chenevier.
Above, arriving at Les Prés Ronds and looking towards Col de l’Aulp, where the main trail to La Tournette starts.
Above, Rocher du Roux. I walked up a little bit towards Col de l’Aulp (but didn’t reach it) in order to get a better view.
Above, La Tournette.
Above, looking down the valley.
Above, on the way to Col de la Forclaz.
Above, trail along Nant de Montmin, which flows into the Eau Morte river, which itself flows into Lake Annecy.
Above, a ford across Nant de Montmin. Due to the amount of water, I could not avoid getting my feet wet.
Above, Nant de Montmin.
Above, Crêt des Mouches.
Above, road to Col de la Forclaz.
Above, hamlet of La Côte.
Above, the village of Montmin below Crêt des Mouches and Pointe de Banc Fleury.
Above, Pointe de la Beccaz.
Above, primrose in january.
Above, Lauzière mountains.
Above, trail on the way to Col de la Forclaz.
Above, Pointe de la Rochette.
Above, at Col de la Forclaz.
Above, Lake Annecy.
Above, Annecy and Tête de la Mandallaz.
Above, Château de Duingt.
Above, I started on the way down to Verthier while there was still some light.
Above, after sunset.
Above, Col de Chérel.
Above, Christmas illuminations on Pont de Verthier in the valley.
Above, waiting for the bus.