June 19, 2021

Hike to Grotte des Sarrazins & Grotte de la Cheminée

A few months ago, I went on a hike below Mont Baret and Mont Veyrier and visited a few caves there, including Grotte des Sarrazins (below Mont Baret) and Grotte de la Cheminée (below Chapeau de Napoléon).

Here is a map of the path I walked:

In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus (line 62) and got off at the Buvette bus stop in Veyrier-du-Lac. I then started walking first on a paved road then switched to a small trail: I followed the IGN map but the trail marked on the map disappeared quickly. So I continued off-trail since it was only a short distance to another trail to Rochers des Grandes Suites, a large and tall cliff below Mont Baret and where Grotte des Sarrazins (or Sarrasins) is located. I first walked a little bit below the Rochers, then headed to the Grotte: The last part to reach it followed a narrow path on a ledge, secured by chains. The mouth of the cave is pretty big and can actually be seen from the road and Lake Annecy. The inside is quite roomy but does not go very deep. I then went down.

To get to Grotte de Ia Cheminée without going all the way down to Veyrier-du-Lac, I had found an old trail (Chemin Rural) on the cadastral map: It was easy to follow even though it was no longer maintained. At some point, I made a detour off-trail to a cave marked on the IGN map and labeled as Grotte du Mont. However, the hole was underwhelming (or maybe I didn’t find the right one).

Update February 2023: Since I went on this hike, a Grotte du Mont has been added on OpenStreetMap at a location different from the IGN map (but not very far). I went there recently to check it out. It seems the location of OSM is correct: The cave is quite a bit bigger (photo). It is however slightly dangerous to access.

After some time, I joined with the main trail that goes to Col des Contrebandiers. The trail to Grotte de la Cheminée started right there, passing below the cliff of Chapeau de Napoléon. The cave was only a short distance away. However there was a group of hikers visiting it so, instead of stopping, I continued on the faint trail below the Chapeau until it stopped, then went back. I had to crawl to enter the cave, which looked quite small. I found out later that there was a deeper part behind the big rocks inside. There is also a rope to go up to another cave above Grotte de la Cheminée but I was not feeling it so I passed.

After that cave, I followed a path in the forest towards Chalet du Talabar. Then I joined with the main trail to Col du Pré Vernet. I walked down for a short while, then took a trail called Chemin des Grottes to the last cave of the day: I have read it referred to as Grotte de l’Aigle and is marked on OpenStreetMap as Grotte du Mont Rampon. It is more of a cavity than a cave though. After that, I left the forest and walked to my place in Annecy-le-Vieux.

▲ LIHSA bus stop.

▲ Lake Annecy.

▲ The cliffs of Mont Veyrier ahead, with Chapeau de Napoléon in front.

▲ Mouth of Grotte des Sarrazins seen from the road.

▲ The Grotte is also visible from the other side of the lake: Here from Croix du Chef-Lieu on Semnoz.

▲ On the trail to Rochers des Grandes Suites.

▲ Cliff. The Rochers des Grandes Suites are a popular climbing spot.

▲ Beach in Menthon-Saint-Bernard.

▲ End of the trail.

▲ On the way to Grotte des Sarrazins.

▲ Semnoz.

▲ Final part to reach Grotte des Sarrazins.

▲ Below the cave.

▲ Inside.

▲ The rock at the mouth was already occupied.

▲ Lake Annecy.

▲ Reservoir. The trail to Grotte de la Cheminée starts near there.

▲ Detour to Grotte du Mont. It seems it could be the hole ahead, based on the IGN map.

▲ Pretty small. Maybe it is just filled with soil? Or I got the wrong place.

▲ I kept going below the cliff for a short while to see if there was something else then headed back to the trail.

▲ Joining with the trail that goes to Col des Contrebandiers.

▲ On the trail to Grotte de la Cheminée. Weirdly, there is an official hiking sign further along the main trail and marked as “Grotte de la Cheminée”, but there is no trail to reach the cave from that sign.