5 ways to explore Chambéry Mountains

Less than two hours from Lyon, Grenoble or Geneva, Chambéry Montagnes opens up a world of its own. A world where every path leads to discovery. A world where you walk to find yourself, to marvel, to breathe. Between lakes, forests and mountains, the region offers a diversity of landscapes that invites you to slow your pace and observe and feel more clearly. Whether you’re a beginner, a Sunday stroller or an experienced hiker, Chambéry Montagnes offers tailor-made itineraries to suit all ages and tastes.

Breathe, walk and feel… Follow the guide!

Gentle walks to share together

Walking is good. But walking together is even better. At Chambéry Montagnes, we’re also thinking about those with shorter legs or slower steps.

The comfort walks, specially designed to be accessible to all, allow you to immerse yourself in nature without any constraints. Pushchairs, wheelchairs, children’s scooters: here, everyone moves at their own pace.

At the Parc du Forézan in Cognin, a stone’s throw from Chambéry, you’ll discover a shady valley lulled by the sound of the river. It’s the perfect place for a family outing, with the added bonus of an educational farm to delight curious youngsters.

In the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park, take the Picot walk, starting from the lake at La Motte-en-Bauges or the Pissieu car park at Le Châtelard. This peaceful trail offers splendid views of the Dent de Rossanaz and a remarkable passageway over the footbridge suspended above the Chéran, classified as a Wild River Site. Want to extend your walk? Start at the Lescheraines leisure centre and finish with a refreshing swim in the lake.

Comfort walks

Hiking
with a guide :
the mountain in your own words

What if your steps were guided by mountain enthusiasts? Mountain guides are much more than guides: they are storytellers, transmitters and lovers of the land.

Their mission? To take you as close as possible to nature, to help you discover its secrets, its fauna and flora, but also its human heritage. On the 500 kilometres of signposted routes that Chambéry Montagnes has to offer, they will tailor their guidance to your wishes and your level of ability.

And of course, these guides will share their best anecdotes, a few local specialities, and above all that infectious passion that turns a simple walk into an unforgettable experience.

For young explorers, aged 7 and over, Ludmila from Fécl’Aventure offers the Budding Artists Walk: an outing specially designed to sharpen children’s observation skills. For two hours, they draw, observe and imagine, and leave with their own living picture of nature.

Mountain guides

A first night
in a refuge :
sleep differently

Why not extend the experience? A night in the mountains is a special moment, an unforgettable memory. Just imagine: the sun setting over the peaks, a dinner prepared with local produce, the softness of the evening descending over the alpine meadows… and in the distance, silence, disturbed only by birdsong.

At Chambéry Montagnes, there are several **accessible refuges** where you can experience this magical interlude, even with children, even for just a weekend.

The Garins refuge, in Le Châtelard, is a great place to get away from it all. Here you’ll find donkeys – beloved companions of children – and cosy accommodation in the heart of nature, at an altitude of 1100 metres. The feeling of freedom is total.

Refuges and unusual accommodation

The right tools for smart hiking

Before putting on your boots, don’t forget to consult the interactive map at the Chambéry Montagnes Tourist Office, or to pick up the hiking maps available at the 6 information offices.

And to make sure you never lose track of where you’re going, download the Mhikes mobile application: your digital guide to carrying all your itineraries in your pocket, even when you’re offline.

Interactive map

The adventure
over two days :
the Arcalod tour

Looking for a more intense experience? The Tour de l’Arcalod, the emblematic summit of the Hautes-Bauges (2217 m), invites you to a two-day itinerary, with an overnight stay in an unguarded hut. A journey through mountain pastures, valleys, waterfalls and panoramic views, where every bend offers a new visual surprise.

Supervised by a Terres d’Altitude guide, this trek requires a good level of fitness and some previous hiking experience, but the rewards are immense. The feeling of surpassing yourself, the raw beauty of the landscapes, the night shared around a fire… A true moment in the mountains, in all its splendour.

Tour de l'Arcalod

The most unusual
experience :
hiking…
underground!

Chambéry Montagnes also offers the surprise of being able to walk… beneath the surface! Try speleorando, a unique activity combining hiking and discovering the underground world.

Head for the Tanne du Névé cave, in Aillons-Margériaz, for a safe exploration through footbridges, ladders and limestone galleries. In summer, the site is accessible on your own, but you can also opt for a guided tour. Either way, make sure you have the right equipment: helmet, headlamp, good shoes and warm clothes (the inside temperature stays around 5°C).

An original, fun and slightly magical experience, to be enjoyed with family or friends.

Discover caving

Chambéry Montagnes,

nature’s elixir within walking distance

Here, hiking is about soaring. It’s about slowing down, breathing and sharing. It’s about discovering a land of unsuspected riches, between gentle mountains, secret forests, accessible peaks and mouth-watering valleys.

Whether you’re walking for pleasure, for health, for adventure or for the scenery, Chambéry Montagnes is waiting for you, with open paths and a big heart.

On your boots, get set, walk!