Roc des Bœufs from Chapelle-Saint-Maurice

In brief: From the hamlet of Chapelle-Saint-Maurice, an out-and-back route climbing through alpine pastures and past the Chalets du Sollier to the ridge of Roc des Bœufs (1,774 m), one of the wildest and least-visited viewpoints in the Bauges. A sustained climb through forest, a few metres of easy scrambling near the top, and a guaranteed 360° panorama in clear weather.

Why this hike is a must

The Bauges massif is a happy paradox: just 30 minutes from Lake Annecy, one of Europe's busiest stretches of water, it still holds corners of absolute solitude. Roc des Bœufs is the best example. Little known outside local hikers, it offers a rare all-round panorama: the lake and the Annecy basin to the west, the Mont Blanc massif to the east, the Aravis and the Tournette to the north, and the combes of the Bauges massif to the south.

The route starts from Chapelle-Saint-Maurice, a hamlet just over 1,000 m in altitude, reachable by car, in the Bauges south of Annecy. There is no official car park: park at the spot known as Le Coniet, in a bend with plenty of room, rather than at the end of the drivable track (Le Créterny), which farm vehicles need to use.

The Bauges alpine pastures at the halfway point, near the Chalets du Sollier.

Detailed itinerary

This is an out-and-back hike: you climb and come back down the same trail, via the Chalets du Sollier. There is no major route-finding difficulty, but a few poorly signposted forks to watch for (see the waypoints below).

1. 1
   Le Coniet car park (1,013 m) — Start From the bend where you park, follow the track towards Le Créterny. A water reservoir is reached after about twenty minutes (1,062 m).
2. 2
   Towards the Chalets du Sollier (1,100 – 1,440 m) — about 1h15 to 2h After the reservoir, take the trail climbing to the left across meadows, following the Bauges GRP® waymarking posts, then through a wood. Be sure to bear right on leaving the wood to pick up the switchbacked trail that leads to the chalets.
3. 3
   Chalets du Sollier (1,441 m) At the chalets, leave the GRP® and bear left towards the water trough. Don't follow the trail signposted "Roc des Bœufs" to the left: take the unmarked path heading right up the slope towards rocks topped with cairns — that's the right way.
4. 4
   Climb to the ridge (up to 1,756 m) The trail, waymarked in green, gets steeper and rockier, with short stretches over smooth slabs. Just before the ridge, a metal plaque commemorates a hiker — you can either follow the ridge past it, or keep to the green marks on the right. A little easy scrambling (with handholds) is needed for the final metres.
5. 5
   Roc des Bœufs (1,774 m) — about 2h15 from the start The summit ridge is narrow and exposed: little room, so take care if it's busy. A 360° panorama over Lake Annecy, Mont Blanc, the Aravis, the Tournette and the Bauges massif. Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes here, crowds permitting.
6. 6
   Return by the same route — about 2h The descent retraces the ascent trail. The steepest section, just below the summit, calls for care (use your hands if needed). A stop at the Chalets du Sollier for a wheel of farmhouse tomme cheese is well worth it.

Practical information

Getting to the trailhead from Le Cruet

From Saint-Eustache, take the road towards Chapelle-Saint-Maurice, then follow the "Chalets du Sollier" signs. Allow about 10 minutes by car from the Gîte du Cruet.

Best season

This hike is best done in dry weather: the climb through the forest can turn muddy after rain, and the final approach to the summit ridge quickly becomes slippery. In winter and during thaw, snow and ice make the last few metres before the summit tricky, or even impassable without crampons. The best window runs from late May to October. Unless you plan to climb Roc des Bœufs on ski touring gear — in which case deep winter is the time, and the start is usually from Bellecombe-en-Bauges instead (a higher starting point with more consistent snow cover above the forest).

"The reward at the summit is well worth the sustained climb through the forest. The view is breathtaking, from the Écrins to Mont Blanc, looking down over Lake Annecy. It's one of the hikes I recommend most often to our guests — as long as you set off in good weather." — Norman, Gîte du Cruet

Recommended gear

• Hiking boots or trail running shoes — the trail turns rocky and technical near the end
• Water: bring 1.5 to 2 L — no reliably drinkable source along the route
• Windbreaker: the ridge is exposed and often windy even in summer
• Trekking poles useful on both the climb and the descent
• Summit not recommended for young children: the summit ridge is narrow and exposed to vertigo. You can simply stop at the Chalets du Sollier instead.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash — grazed alpine pastures and exposed sections, as required by law everywhere outdoors

At the Chalets du Sollier, at the halfway point, the GAEC les Chardons Bleus farm sells excellent Savoie tomme cheese direct from the producer — a welcome stop on the way up or back.

From the summit of Roc des Bœufs, the view stretches across the Bauges massif, with a sea of clouds down below.

The numbers

• Start: Le Coniet car park, Chapelle-Saint-Maurice — 1,013 m
• High point: Roc des Bœufs — 1,774 m
• Elevation gain: about +750 m
• Total distance (out-and-back): about 8 km
• Duration: 4h to 4h30 (climb ~2h15, descent ~2h)

Variations and combinations

For trained trail runners, you can start directly from the gîte for a longer outing. Expect more distance and more elevation gain.

For a shorter, family-friendly outing, simply hiking up to the Chalets du Sollier (1,441 m) already makes for a lovely walk through the alpine pastures, without the technical final stretch — allow about 3h round trip from the car park.