Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, the Bauges massif is a preserved landscape that’s a paradise for hikers. This area, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site, consists of green mountain pastures, artisinal cheeses and picturesque villages.

The fauna and flora are remarkable, with wild orchids, gentians and edelweiss creating a colourful spectacle. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of chamois, marmots and golden eagles.

Exploring the massif is also a culinary adventure. Here, cheese is king, with the Tome des Bauges as the queen. Don’t miss Chevrotin, Valbleu and even Saint-Bruno. Along the way, you’ll come across cheese factories and farms happy to introduce you to the region's specialties.

Les Bauges is ideally located between Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains and Annecy. They offer direct access to the mountains, less than 20 minutes from the city centres..

This itinerary links Chambéry to Annecy in three stages. Each is nearly 20 kilometres (12 mi) long with around 1,000 metres (3,200 ft) of elevation gain. If this division seems ambitious, you can also divide the itinerary into four stages.

There is no accommodation along the route of this Collection. This is a truly wild adventure. You’re allowed to wild camp in the regional natural park from sunset to early morning. I’ve split the route to allow you to access old barns and chalets to spend the night. If, however, you plan to wild camp, make arrangements to respect the regulations and don’t camp on a farmer's private land.

I recommend taking plenty of water – at least 2.5 litres per person – as the refreshment points are few and far between. Remember that you’re venturing onto a mountain range so bring warm and waterproof clothing.

You don’t need a car to reach Chambéry and Annecy as they both lie on the SNCF train network in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Allow around up to two hours to connect Lyon.

Have a good trip!