Traversée de la Chambotte - Cycling route

Points of interest

Quiet roads for this rather sporty pass, with some very fine descents over the Rhône valley.

Cycling tip

The pass can be climbed very early in the season due to its low altitude.

Direction : clockwise.

Landmarks and connections: Rumilly (common route from Annecy with Boucle du Fier n°15); St-Germain-la-Chambotte; Chautagne villages in common with the other two crossings of the triptych; Val-de-Fier (start of common with Boucle du Fier n°15 at the gorge exit). TER station: Rumilly (allowing you to skip the first 20 km of flat terrain).

Description : after a leisurely detour via Chavanod, the route shared with the Boucle du Fier and the 3 Traversées takes the Route des Creuses (RD16) to Rumilly. The Traversée de la Chambotte then follows the Traversée du Sapenay to the Cessens dairy. Your ascent is then interrupted by a pleasant 140 m descent to the highlight of the Traversée de la Chambotte that is undoubtedly its plunging view over Lac du Bourget. To fully appreciate it, the best thing to do is to treat yourself to a coffee on the terrace. The small, shady downhill road is unusual in that it has just one hairpin bend, before plunging down towards the end of the lake. It then winds through the foothills, passing through all the Chautagne villages overlooking Europe's largest poplar grove. At Ruffieux, you'll find yourself on the return route.