Les Bauges in front of École à Villard

This family-friendly walk takes you on a rural excursion around the village of Ecole. It takes you through the meadows and up into the mountains, with views of the highest peaks in the Bauges.

D/ Church parking lot. 1/ Follow the road towards Jarsy, then turn right at the wooden signs for "Arclusaz". 2/ Climb a few hairpin bends to a crossroads, then take the right-hand road. 3/ Continue straight on to the next hairpin bend (approx. 1km), and take the yellow-marked path. It joins the road a little further up. 4/ Follow the road for a few hundred meters until you reach a relay antenna. From here, enjoy the view of the village and surrounding mountains. The Dent de Pleuven can be seen to the northeast. 5/ Follow the track alongside the antenna on the left, then turn right just after the building. You leave the tarmac road for a path that crosses meadows and groves. 6/ At the "Les Crics" intersection, take the track down towards Le Villard. Steep and stony, it brings you to the main road, which you cross to take the path opposite. 7/ Climb up the opposite side. A steep 15-minute climb brings you to the abandoned hamlet of "le Creux du Mont". 8/ Head back in the direction of Ecole. 9/ You reach beautiful pastures on the heights, with majestic views of the highest peaks in the Bauges. In front of you are Trélod, Arcalod, Pécloz... 10/ The path descends gently to the bottom of the slope. After crossing a bridge, continue straight ahead on the road back to the parking lot. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crossing a meadow - what a technique! On your walks, you'll sometimes come across meadows. All are farmed by farmers. To preserve these sites, and out of respect for the farmers, remember to close the gates behind you to prevent animals from escaping, and stay on the paths: grass that has been flattened by trampling becomes unusable by the farmer!