Starting from the Savoie Technolac in Bourget-du-Lac, I walked on the Voie Verte along Lac du Bourget towards Aix-les-Bains. On the way, I made a detour through Base de Loisir des Mottets in Viviers-du-Lac.
The Fort de Tamié is a military fortress built by France starting in 1872 with the goal of defending the Albertville valley. It is located on Col de Tamié, in the Bauges mountains between Albertville and Faverges. Beyond its historical interest, it offers a great view on Albertville and the surrounding mountains.
The Réserve Naturelle du Bout du Lac is a nature reserve located south of Lake Annecy. It is a marshland where the Ire and Eau Morte rivers flow into the lake. I was there a few years ago, in a rush since it was raining heavily. This time, there was a really nice weather and I could take my time.
Last summer, I went on a hike to Croix du Nivolet, where I had already gone a few years ago. I took my bike on the bus from Aix-les-Bains to La Féclaz on the Mont Revard plateau, where the start of the trail is located. After the hike, instead of going down to Aix-les-Bains, I went in the other direction, towards the Vallée du Chéran and Vallée de Bange, at the center of the Bauges mountains. When I reached there, it had started to rain so I rushed to the nearest train station, in Albens.
The Donjon des Seigneurs de Faverges (Keep of the Lords of Faverges) is a tower built in the 13th century and located inside the castle of Faverges. It is open to individuals during summer and offers a great view on the surrounding area.
I went there coming down the Pointe de la Sambuy, on the way back to Annecy.
The Cave & Waterfall of Seythenex (Grotte & Cascade de Seythenex) are natural sites at the foot of the Bauges mountains, down from Col de Tamié and Pointe de la Sambuy. The waterfall is formed by the Saint-Ruph torrent which pours from 45 meters high into large pools, on the way to Lake Annecy. A footbridge and staircases enable visitors to walk up to the top of the waterfall. As to the cave, it is the only one open to the general public in Haute Savoie. It has 1km of galeries and passages, with 250m accessible as part of a guided tour.
I spent last summer (and more) in Annecy, in Haute-Savoie. I went back on a hike to Pointe de la Sambuy, in the Bauges mountains near Faverges (south of Annecy). This time, I took the standard trail to the summit.
Mount Royal (Mont Royal) is a small mountain in Montreal, immediately west of downtown. It is the site of Mount Royal Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and the city’s largest park.
Above, Mount Royal seen from the observatory of Au Sommet Place Ville-Marie. The Belvédère Kondiaronk, on the left, offers a great view on the city. The Mount Royal Cross can be seen on the right.
Last winter, on Christmas day, I went to Col de la Faucille, in the French Jura near Geneva. There is a ski resort there but there was barely any snow. I took the ropeway to the summit of Mont Rond and walked around for a bit.
After the Presidio, I walked to the Golden Gate Park then continued to the observation area of the Twin Peaks. Finally, I headed down to Market Street and my hotel.