La Cauche Hiking Trail

A medium difficulty hike with two lookouts starting out from the Bélvèdere de Grumeau (above the Abbaye d'Hautecombe).

While gaining a little elevation generally allows you to enjoy cooler, cleaner air, it’s the climb to remarkable viewpoints that people seek out most of all.

And this hike is no exception, as you’ll be able to admire both the foothills of the Avant-Pays Savoyard from the summit of La Cauche and, above all, the beautiful colors of Lake Bourget once you reach the Grumeau lookout point.

From there, you’ll be enchanted by the view of Hautecombe Abbey below. Notice how the tall white tower stands out against the shifting colors of the lake’s waters and the evergreen cypress trees lining the shores.

Back in Ontex, take a look at the nearly 300-year-old Billon kiln
and the 17th-century church, which houses some remarkable statues.

Starting point: Ontex Lookout Parking Lot
1/ At the end of the Ontex Lookout parking lot, cross the road and take the path that goes up into the forest. Cross another road.
2/ At the end of Chemin des Epinettes, turn right onto Chemin du Mont (toward the town hall in the county seat) and continue for 150 meters.
3/ Turn left toward the town hall. Walk along the road, go around the church, and take the right turn until you reach a parking lot at a place called La Côte.
4/ Leave the road and follow the path that goes up to the left (toward La Cauche).
5/ Turn right to reach the La Cauche lookout point (round trip) or continue straight ahead on the path.
6/ Turn left and follow the trail to the next intersection, where you’ll continue toward Grumeau. The trail descends, and a flight of stairs leads back to the road.
7/ Take the road to the right for about 150 meters, and at the L’Arcelet sign, take the trail on the left.
8/ At the sign for Le Bouli, take the trail on the left that leads to the Ontex road. Continue down the road, cross the road, and take the path that passes by the lookout point to reach the parking lot.