The Nivolet cross in a loop from Lovettaz

A beautiful and very complete hike. It's all there: woods, mountain pastures, waterfalls and viewpoints. The belvedere at Le Nivolet is well worth the effort: steep climb and ladder climb (cables and rungs). An itinerary for experienced hikers.

ATTENTION: a rung is broken in the step of the ladder. This hike is not recommended until further notice. D/ Car park, route de la Lovettaz, St Jean d'Arvey 1/ Take the path leading to the trou de la Doria. 2/ After a 10-minute uphill walk, take the flat path leading to the hamlet of Lovetaz. 3/ Arriving at the fountain (signs), take the path between the houses, which rises above the hamlet. It then joins the pastoral track that climbs from Lovettaz to the "Fermes du Nivolet" (alpine chalets). 4/ After a long but pleasant walk through the undergrowth, the track turns E/NE before forking off due west (you then leave on the right the path leading up to the waterfalls and the Col de la Doriaz - signs). >> Note: on the uphill trail, several paths branch off W/NW towards the Fermes du Nivolet. Poorly maintained, unmarked and not indicated on the map, they often merge with animal trails and require a good sense of direction and care (steep slopes, slippery terrain in wet weather). The route that follows the track is therefore to be preferred.>> 5/ Continue on the track as far as the Fermes du Nivolet, then take the wide path that follows it, cross the Alpage des Fourneaux before reaching the Alpage des Grands Prés or Alpage du Nivolet. 6/ At 1288 m (isolated fir tree in the middle of the Alpage - sign), rejoin the path leading up from the village of Pragondran and take the track, which is not very well marked at first, which heads NE towards the cliff. 7/ An equipped passage known as the "Pas de l'Échelle" (handrails, cables, steps and iron rungs) allows you to cross a fault between the cliff and a "aiguille" and access the final plateau and the huge Cross marking the summit of Le Nivolet (1547 m). >> Note: well secured, this short passage (a few dozen metres) is without real difficulty, but is not recommended for people prone to vertigo.>> 8/ The return leg of this loop itinerary takes a wide, well-marked path along the ridge to the Col de la Doriaz, then down into the narrow Vallon de la Doriaz. 9/ Follow the stream on the left bank (a few passages near these require attention) to cross it at a much lower altitude (733m) via a small footbridge. 10/ The path takes you back to the hamlet of Lovettaz. Shortly before the hamlet, fork left to take the original path back to the parking lot. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When you reach the hamlet, please respect the parking spaces provided: parking is compulsory at the hikers' parking lot just before Lovettaz, but do not continue to the hamlet. The hamlet has few parking spaces, so please leave them for local residents. You can also carpool or take the shuttle to the Bauges (https://www.chamberymontagnes.com/randonnee-et-trail/).