Published on 17 May 2015 | by Pierre-Alexandre

Mont Baron (via the Col des Contrebandiers)

Located at the western end of the Bornes Massif just next to Annecy, Mont Baron remains an ideal goal for the preparation of the summer. Short and of slight elevation, the itinerary winds through the forest to emerge quickly on a balcony offering a beautiful view of Lake Annecy, Semnoz, the Bornes, as well as the Beaufortain Massif. The scenic trail at the exit of the wood is safe and is secured by a barrier and cables when it comes to reaching the platform of the old cable car where there is an orientation table.

However, the route is not suitable for children, as the terrain is very rocky with sometimes rocks to step over. Under wet conditions, weathered rocks can be very slippery, so caution is required. For those who’d like to discover Mont Barron from the north-west, I invite you to read the itinerary of the Mont Veyrier.

Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 1,299 m
Ascent: 0 hour 45 min
Descent: 0 hour 40 min
Elevation Gain: 250 meters
Round-trip: 3.3 km
Map: IGN 3431 OT

Getting There

Since the decree of 26 July 2024 by the Mayor of Veyrier-du-Lac, it is no longer possible to use the route forestière du Mont Baron.

For parking, you’ll have to park on the Petit Port side of Annecy-le-Vieux. You can also take the bus from Annecy to Veyrier-du-Lac: bus route 20 is free from 1 July to 31 August.

GPS Coordinates (WGS 84) of the Starting Point: 45.89668,6.195171

Ascent

From the Col des Contrebandiers, go down a little and take the path that goes to the left in the direction of “Mont Veyrier—Mont Baron” and that gets into the forest. Arriving at the Crène Sud, turn left to take the direction of Mont Baron by the old cable car.

The trail gets soon to the Balcon des Contrebandiers where you will follow on the right the direction of Mont Baron. The progression is steeper on a stony ground, and you begin to perceive Mont Baret. A few minutes later, the trail leads to a belvedere showing Lake Annecy and the Beaufortin before arriving at a small passage secured by a barrier and cables to reach the platform of the old cable car (1254 m).

Continue on the ridge to win Mont Baron (1299 m) located ten minutes away. It is possible to continue up to Mont Veyrier along the ridge: in this case, it is necessary to add about thirty minutes round trip from the top of Mont Baron.

Descent

Rather than going down by the same route, it is possible to reach the car park by Crène Nord. From the summit, follow the trail marked “La Crène, 40 minutes” and that enters the forest. After two strange tanks, the path goes to the right and becomes a bit more difficult due to the slope and slippery rocks. The track finally gets to the way of the ascent at the bifurcation of the Crène Sud.