Leschaux lies on the slopes of the Semnoz massif and combines an extensive alpine pasture landscape with marked trails and a rich local history. When planning, it is worth considering the local discovery trail and the GRP Tour du Semnoz as two different routes. The first has clearly specified start and end points and a set distance; the GRP passes through several municipalities and reaches the highest point of the Semnoz. This gives you a local trail and a longer hiking route as two distinct options.
Semnoz Alpine Pastures and Regional Products
The alpine pastures of the Semnoz cover just under 500 hectares and are spread across five municipalities. Within the municipality of Leschaux, the pastures near the Chalets des Villards and Vernettes cover 77 hectares. The Association Foncière Pastorale du Semnoz manages the alpine pastures of the Semnoz. During the summer grazing season, Tarine, Abondance and Montbéliarde cattle graze there, producing cheese and butter. The two figures refer to different scales: the larger alpine pasture region spanning several municipalities, and the specific area within Leschaux.
Cheese is also part of the local alpine farming tradition. GAEC des Noisetiers offers farmhouse Abondance cheese. Check availability before visiting. This lets you connect an interest in the landscape and agriculture with a specific product without confusing the two area figures.
Hiking on the Semnoz and at the Col de Leschaux
The marked municipal discovery trail “Si j’étais un Arbre” starts at the church in the centre of Leschaux and runs for three kilometres to the current road near the Gîte nature La Biolette. The clearly specified endpoints help distinguish this trail from the longer route through several municipalities. Check local conditions before setting out.
A route description recorded on 29 May 2025 takes the GRP Tour du Semnoz through Leschaux and other municipalities in the Massif des Bauges. The route reaches Crêt de Châtillon at 1,699 metres, the highest point of the Semnoz. Check conditions and trail signage before departure. The Col de Leschaux is at 897 metres and has been crossed three times by the Tour de France. Its mountain pass and cycling history add a distinct perspective on the landscape to the hiking themes.
Local History in Leschaux
An early turning point in local history came in 1236, when the first parish priest was appointed and the parish was founded by monks from the Priory of Saint-Jorioz. On 4 July 1944, Leschaux and the Semnoz massif were the scene of a German offensive against the Maquis des Bauges. The history of the hamlet of La Croix is also linked to a specific date. On 19 May 1861, a major fire destroyed almost the entire hamlet, killing three people. The residents rebuilt La Croix in less than two years.
The Hôtel Belvédère was built at the Col de Leschaux in the 1920s, on the site of the former Hôtel-Restaurant de la Poste. The building was later used as a holiday camp and was eventually converted into a residential building. This sequence is part of local history, not a description of a current hotel.
Plan Your Journey
Leschaux is served by Sibra Ă la Demande. This on-demand service connects the municipalities of Grand Annecy and provides access to the regular bus network. Check the current booking conditions before travelling. This gives you a specific transport service to factor into your journey planning, so you can tailor your stay to the available routes, alpine pasture areas and historical themes.
Discover more destinations: Cons-Sainte-Colombe, Thollon, Alex, Lullin, Saint-FĂ©lix, Cranves-Sales, Viry, Ambilly
Back to the main travel guide: Haute-Savoie.
