Solid like a Roc de Chère
>>
Home
>
Summer hike
>
Solid like a Roc de Chère
Talloires-Montmin

Solid like a Roc de Chère

Embed this item to access it offline
Family walk where geology explains the landscapes of the lake of Annecy
With its complex geological nature, Roc de Chère reveals various rocks. Such a large biodiversity on such a small surface makes the site unique. Sandstone ridges, faults, nummulites... You can learn more about these unusual words.

6 points of interest

  • Geology

    Geological formations: lapiaz

    Lapiaz are limestone rocks characterized by many cracks. Created by the erosion caused by surface water runoff, they point out the presence of an underground karstic network.

    Several other lapiaz formations are present in this region: the plateau of Parmelan, the desert of Platé in Passy and Margeriaz in the massif of les Bauges.
  • Geology

    Where does limestone comes from?

    Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed by the accumulation of shells and skeletons of marine animals. Temperature and pressure turned the accumulated material into rock.

    About -130 to -120 million years ago, Roc de Chère was covered by sea. Fossils of the limestone shells of many organisms were formed at this time on the seabed. The soil of the Roc de Chère at this location is composed by limestone from the Urgonian geological period, rich in fossils.

    Further on, as shown in the picture, you can notice limestone with small nummulites, an indication of a different formation period.

    Nowadays limestone is present in different forms: chalk on the blackboard, snail shells...
  • Geology

    Searching for the hidden cave

    Roc de Chère, a karstic massif, is full of holes in the undergound due to the dissolution of the soluble rocks by running water. Because of this dissolution, it has lots of underground caves, most of which are connected to the lake.
    The largest one is Grand Pertuis (see photo), which means crack, narrow passage between rocks. This cave is only accessible by the lake.

    Respect the biodiversity of this fragile environment by staying on the tracks.
  • The remains of a civilization

    Facing the Château de Duingt, you can observe the remains of a civilization dating back more than 3000 years before our era. Indeed, the lake of Annecy hides ancient pile-dwelling sites under its water. Wooden piles prove the existence of old dwellings on stilts, built on the current location of the lake of Annecy / built on the shores of the lake of Annecy which water level was then lower than it is today.

    Three areas of this type have been identified on the lake of Annecy (two at Sévrier and one at St Jorioz). They are part of the 111 pile-dwelling sites found throughout the Alpine arc and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • What are these marks on the rock?

    Beyond this beautiful view, you have certainly noticed the circular traces of old millstone extractions in the sandstone slabs. An engraved cross represents the former limit between the territory of the County of Menthon and that of the monks of the abbey of Talloires. During the 17th century, some stones were removed, probably to be used as millstones for grapes, wheat or nuts, to produce wine, flour or oil.
  • Geology

    The difference between sand- and limestone

    Roc de Chère is composed by two main types of rock : limestone and sandstone.

    Sandstone is a sedimentary rock mainly composed of sand-sized silicate grains. It erodes easily, producing a very acidic grey sand that you can observe at the last belvedere.

    Vegetation that grows on the sandstone has therefore a high tolerance for acidity. It is strangely similar to the vegetation of the forest of Fontainebleau, which also grows on sandstone.

    Sandstone being an impermeable rock, you can observe more than 30 temporary ponds from autumn to spring on Roc de Chère.

Description

  1. From the car park, follow the direction “Belvédère de la Crête”. At the viewpoint, a vey short round trip (50 m) will take you to the panorama overseeing the lake Petit Lac, La Tournette on the left, the Massif des Bauges in front of you as well as the beautiful ridge of Montagne d'Entrevernes.
  2. Take the downhill trail to "Belvédère du Roc de Chère".
  3. Continue on the right to "Echarvines par la Patte d'Oie". At the intersection of "la Patte d'Oie", turn left, then walk along the golf course on the trail on the right which leads to the car park.
  • Departure : Parking « golf d'Echarvines »
  • Arrival : Parking Golf d'Echarvines
  • Towns crossed : Talloires-Montmin

Altimetric profile


Recommandations

You are in a nature reserve, a fragile and protected environment.

By respecting regulations, you will minimize the impact on natural environments, fauna, flora and participate to preserve nature.

Always be careful and plan ahead when hiking. Asters, CEN 74 can not be held responsible for the occurrence of an accident or any inconvenience on this itinerary.

Transport

Bus: 60 Annecy - Angon, stop: Echarvines https://annecy.transdev.com/line/ligne-60/

Cycling: Voie verte du tour du lac d'Annecy (cycling road around the lake of Annecy)

Access and parking

Route du Golf, 74290 Talloires-Montmin

From Annecy via road D909a, follow the direction of Talloires. Pass the village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard, at the hamlet of Echarvines (speed bumps on the road) turn right towards the golf course of Talloires. After 200m park on the right in the large gravel parking lot.

From Doussard, via road D909a, follow the direction of Talloires. Pass Talloires. After the winding uphill passage and at the end of the long straight portion, turn left towards the golf course of Talloires.

Parking :

Parking Golf d'Echarvines

More information


Report a problem or an error

If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: