July 25, 2019

Offline hiking maps with QGIS 3 and Geopaparazzi

In this post, I will show how to export background maps (as a set of MBTiles files) from QGIS 3 and import them in Geopaparazzi on Android to serve as backup offline hiking maps when far from civilization and mobile coverage.

It can be useful in France, where interesting maps to have while hiking are the IGN ones like Carte Topographique IGN (Scan 25) or their standard map (Scan Express Standard). They are accessible freely through the Geoportail mobile app. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t support offline mode.

July 17, 2019

Hike around Lac de Nantua

Last spring, I went on a hike in Nantua, a small town in Ain located between Bellegarde-sur-Valserine and Bourg-en-Bresse: I walked a loop around the lake (Lac de Nantua), first going along the cliff above it, then coming back following the shore.

June 29, 2019

Bellegarde-sur-Valserine

While waiting for a bus to Nantua, I stopped at Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, a city west of Geneva, for about an hour in early morning. I walked around, visited a park along the Rhône then went back to the train station.

June 21, 2019

Hike to Vallée du Laudon

Earlier this spring, I went on a hike to Vallée du Laudon, an area in the Bauges mountains located between Montagne d’Entrevernes and Semnoz, above Saint-Jorioz.

June 19, 2019

Hike to Mont Orchez, Chapelle Saint-Innocent & Cascade de l'Englennaz

Earlier this spring, I went on a hike to Mont Orchez, in the Chablais mountains above Cluses. I also visited Cascade de l’Englennaz, a waterfall in Cluses.

June 17, 2019

Hike around Pointe de Chenevier

In early spring, I went on a hike around Pointe de Chenevier, a mountain opposite Pointe de la Rochette on the other side of Col de la Forclaz.

June 15, 2019

Ruins of Château de Chaumont

The Château de Chaumont is a former castle located in the village of Chaumont in Haute-Savoie, below Le Vuache. It was built starting in the 12th century and was razed by the French in the 17th century. These days, only a few fragments of walls remain, but the hill it was built on is now a park that offers a great view on the plain below and the surrounding mountains. In very clear days, it is even possible to see the Mont Blanc.

June 8, 2019

Hike to Le Vuache

Earlier this spring, I went on hike to Le Vuache, a mountain in the Jura located on the other side of the Rhône from Fort l’Ecluse.

May 27, 2019

Hike to Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Rochers des Moillats & Ermitage de Saint-Germain

At the beginning of spring, I went on a hike on the east side of Lake Annecy: Starting at the lake in Menthon-Saint-Bernard, I walked to the castle (Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard), then below the Rochers de Moillats and, finally, visited the Ermitage de Saint-Germain on the way down to Talloires.

May 26, 2019

Camino de Santiago / Via Gebennensis: Walk from Col du Mont Sion to Frangy

At the end of winter, I walked on the Via Gebennensis from Col du Mont Sion to Frangy, continuing the Camino de Santiago where I had left off the last time.