Parc du Bois Vidal (Aix-les-Bains)
Parc du Bois Vidal is a large park in Aix-les-Bains. It has multiple forest paths, lawns and a viewpoint (belvédère) with a good view on Lac du Bourget and the surrounding mountains.
autumn
Hike to Crêt du Maure (Semnoz)
A few weeks after the Circuit Central, I came back for a hike at the foot of the Semnoz. This time I went to Crêt du Maure, passing by a few viewpoints along the way, with a good view on Lake Annecy and the Bornes mountains to the east.
Hike to Circuit Central du Semnoz
Starting from La Tambourne, next to the Basilique de la Visitation in Annecy, I walked the Circuit Central du Semnoz, passing by a few viewpoints (belvédère) along the way.
Monument des Pénitents Noirs
The Monument des Pénitents Noirs is located in Faubourg Reclus, a suburb of Chambéry. It was built at the behest of the Pénitents Noirs (Black Penitents), a Christian order tasked with taking care of those sentenced to death, by administering last rites, accompanying them to the gallows and burying the corpses. In Chambéry, they originally gathered around a large cross located at the execution ground near Parc du Verney. But when the park was redesigned in 1860, that cross was moved to the top of the Dent du Nivolet, a mountain above Chambéry: The cross (actually rebuilt a couple of times) is now known as the Croix du Nivolet and is a popular hiking destination. The Penitents also had the Monument built in Faubourg Reclus to serve as a new gathering place.
Parc du Verney (Chambéry)
The Parc du Verney is a park in Chambéry, dating from the 14th century. It was redesigned in its current shape in 1860.
Hike to Pointe de la Québlette & Circuit de l'Ovine
On one of my last outings in last year’s hiking season, I climbed up the Pointe de la Québlette, near the Plateau des Glières and the 3 Têtes des Bornes. I also walked a loop around it: The so-called Circuit de l’Ovine. I mostly followed this trail, with the climb to Pointe de la Québlette in addition.
Fort de Montmélian
Montmélian is a small city in Savoie located below the southern tip of the Bauges mountains, next to the Isère river. In the middle ages, its location was considered strategic for Savoie, as it sat on the road between France and Italy and at the border with the Dauphiné. As a result, a fortress was built on the so-called Rocher de Montmélian (Rock of Montmélian) in the 11th century and was upgraded over the years. However, the Fort de Montmélian was finally destroyed by French troops in 1705. Nowadays, only a few scattered ruins remain and on the location of the former fort is a park with a good view on the plain below.
Hike to Chapelle Saint-Michel de la Lésine / Circuit des Teppes
The Circuit des Teppes is a short and easy trail that starts in Jarsy and goes to the Chapelle Saint-Michel de la Lésine, with a good view on the Bauges mountains and valley along the way.
Les Grangettes de La Compôte-en-Bauges
Les Grangettes are a pasture in La Compôte-en-Bauges, in the Bauges mountains. There are a few trails that go through the area. For myself, I started at the bridge on the Chéran river at La Compôte and simply walked to the Grangettes above.
Les Iles du Chéran
Les Iles du Chéran (Chéran Islands) is a leisure center (Base de loisirs) in Lescheraines, in the middle of the Bauges. It features multiple lakes for swimming, as well as tennis courts, picnic areas, a campsite and easy walking trails. When I was there, I walked on a path around the lakes, next to the Chéran river.