Attention!
22/05/2024 - Stage interrupted between the hamlets Nantey and Foby due to landslides on the path.
24/10/2024: path interrupted in the Chamioux - Perloz section due to rockfall on the trail. Alternative route along the road in the attached map.
Fontainemore - Donnas
Resorts: Donnas, Fontainemore, Perloz
A long but gentle ledge along the Fontainemore adret slopes slightly downwards to the valley bottom, with just one worthwhile detour to the “museum” village of Chemp in the comune of Perloz. From here the path continues to descend gradually, following the edges of the terraced vineyards of Donnas.
Stopping between May and June in the Perloz area, the detour to the Col de Fenêtre is worthwhile, where you can appreciate the magnificent flowering of wild peonies.
Route
From Fontainemore, wide and pretty mule tracks follow the right-hand riverbank to reach splendid villages, Chemp in particular. This is an unusual and striking open-air museum among houses and haylofts, catching captivating glimpses of the “anime di Chemp” sculptures by Angelo Bettoni and other artists.
From Chemp the path turns downhill again, through the Marine hamlet, towards Perloz a medieval village already crossed by stage 1 (Pont-Saint-Martin - Lillianes).
After a stop at the sanctuary of Notre Dame de La Garde, the valley bottom is reached via the sunny ledge above Donnas, following the upper edge of the terraced vineyards, source of the fragrant and multi-award-winning local DOC red wines.
The route then comes to the historic medieval town of Donnas, which grew up on the ancient Roman Via delle Gallie, here at its most spectacular and renowned.
Two small museums tell of the ancient rural tradition of Donnas: the museum of vine and wine and the old Tréby dairy.
N.B.: Due to problems of practicability of the path, the route between Fontainemore and Lillianes is diverted onto the road. Attached, you will find the bus schedule.
Duration going there
4h50
Duration coming back
5h15
Length
14.641 m
Recommended times
March - November
Difficulties
E - Excursionist
Difference in level
Heritage
Nature
Food & Wine - visit the producers
Where to eat
Where to sleep