Under the cliff of Granier, the vineyard exploits each small parcel between the blocks, the ponds and the lakes left by the landslide of 1248. But other aspects of the landscape are to be highlighted, such as the belvedere of the cross of Saint-André and picturesque hamlets.
From Lake Saint-André, several routes are possible. This walk can also start from the Marches, which is offered here. Thereafter, the option of going to Lac de la Puce can lead you to the mysterious Lac Noir. You park in the Marche car park, near the roundabout. You begin a slight descent along the school, towards Lake Saint-André. You arrive on the D12 and at the “La Ferme du lac” campsite, which you bypass on the right (Poisy 302 m).
AROUND THE LAKE.
You turn right, then left, to reach Lake Saint-André. You will go along it on the right. The course can be wet or even muddy. Although there are many passages on stilts, caution should be exercised as they can be slippery. You have beautiful views of the peaks of Belledonne and the Granier. You leave the tour of the lake at the sign indicating the direction “Les Abymes 1.3 km” and “Notre-Dame-de-Myans 2.8 km”. At Les Abymes (325 m), you go towards Pierre Hachée which you cannot miss. It is a large limestone block of more than a thousand m3, from the Granier landslide in 1248. This rock served as a boundary marker between Savoy and France before 1760. This name does not come from blows of axe, but rather of a man named Pierre d’Avallon, known as “Pierre Ascher”, the man of steel.
CROSS ON A ROCK.
You immediately leave the small road which leads to the lac des Pères to take the chemin de Pierre Hachée on the left, at the level of a cross installed on a rock, towards the Fontanettes. It’s a good climb on firm ground with no traffic. The gradual discovery of the villages of Saint-André and the Marches with the Belledonne range and the Chartreuse massif in the background is worth a look. You leave the climb to the Col Dijoud. You are on the chemin des Combes, then you take the chemin de Pierre Hachée. The markings are no longer visible, but you have to follow the natural path, on the left, which runs along a few houses.
VARIANT.
Arrived at the sign “Maltaverne 390 m”, you see the direction “Les Combes de Truchon” and the Black Lake at 5.5 km. It is an option to extend the walk via the Colombier or the small lake Froment. In both cases, you arrive at Martinons, then at Lac de la Puce. The mysterious Lac Noir is at the end of this route. If you are satisfied with a half-day walk, you will continue towards Lake Saint-André, via La Redoute. You go down a little, pass near a niche dedicated to Claude Provent. Several “one way” signs invite you to follow the signs for the Saint-André cross path, as far as La Redoute (375 m), where a new cross is located. The cross of Saint-André is 500 meters away; you go there and back (allow 25 minutes). You then arrive at the chemin des Fromagets, then you reach the lake of Saint-André, which you complete the tour. Finally, you take the road back to the Marches.
Difficulté 1/4. Temps aller-retour : 2 heures, en boucle (4 h 30 si lac Noir). Dénivellation cumulée : 300 m (altitude maxi : 485 m ou 850 m). Carte de référence : carte IGN TOP25 3333 OT Massif de la Chartreuse Nord. Balisage : suivre les traces jaunes et les panneaux. Départ : de Chambéry, se rendre aux Marches.
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