A specific starting point is Vacheresse: the 8.8-kilometre Boucle de Semy le Bouaz begins here. The hike from Bise to Ubine passes through alpine pastures and forests; at Lac de Fontaine, you can walk or cycle around the lake. When planning, the options differ in route format, scenery and access.
Circular Hike with Views of Lake Geneva
The Boucle de Semy le Bouaz is rated moderate. From the Alpage de SĂ©my, you can enjoy views of Lake Geneva. The route also follows an alpine path from Lac de Fontaine to the hamlet of SĂ©my. This provides a specific distance and difficulty level to help you assess the hiking day, as well as a named viewpoint. If you are weighing up different route options, these details can help you evaluate the loop based on its stated key features.
Alpine Pastures, Forests and the GR5 Stage
The hike from Bise to Ubine passes through alpine pastures and forests and offers views of the Cornettes de Bise Natura 2000 site. The pastures crossed allow cows to graze and thus make it possible to produce Abondance cheese, typical of the region and bearing a protected designation of origin. Landscape and pastoral farming go hand in hand here: in addition to the views, the cheese-making tradition is a specific part of the setting along the trail.
Another option is the GR5 Alpes stage from Bise to Trébentaz. It starts at the Alpage de Bise and crosses the Cornettes de Bise and Mont de Grange Natura 2000 sites. From Vacheresse, you can reach the stage by heading towards Bise. There is a large car park at the Alpage de Bise, but no public transport connection. Take this difference into account when planning your journey.
Access to the Refuge d'Ubine also has seasonal conditions: in winter, it can be reached on snowshoes and touring skis; in summer, on foot and by car. If you include this access in your plans, take the relevant season into account.
Lac de Fontaine: Loop, Access and Fishing
Lac de Fontaine is easy to walk or cycle around. From Vacheresse, you can reach it by car via the road to the Chalets de Bise. Road conditions can vary seasonally, so check them before setting off. Brown trout and minnows are fished in the lake. Walking, cycling and fishing are different ways to spend time at Lac de Fontaine.
The Oratory of Notre-Dame-de-la-Paraz
On 6 June 1792, a place of prayer was carved into the rock for Notre-Dame-de-la-Paraz, and a statue of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours was installed there. The oratory is still visible to the right of the chapel. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Paraz was damaged by falling trees in 1936 and rebuilt in 1937. Its history can thus be traced through three clear milestones: the creation of the place of prayer, the damage and the rebuilding.
Choosing Accommodation After Your Outings
When looking for a hotel in Vacheresse, the focus of your outings is a useful starting point: the loop begins in the village, access to the GR5 stage is towards Bise, and you can reach Lac de Fontaine by car.
Discover more destinations: Saint-André-de-Boëge, Saint-Eusèbe, Montagny-Les-Lanches, Bluffy, Seythenex, Mont-Saxonnex, Cluses, Le Reposoir
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
