Sainte-Rose chapel and the Château de l’Épine
A family loop along an old track, past a 17th-century chapel to the ruins of a castle.
- Distance
- 5.2 km
- Ascent
- 275 m
- Stated time
- about 3 h
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route
- Loop
Figures from the source: Lac d’Aiguebelette tourist office, Sainte-Rose chapel and the ruins of the Château de l’Épine. Times are walking times without breaks; they vary with fitness, terrain and season.
The route
Waymarked in yellow, this loop starts in Nances and follows an old track that once climbed towards the Col de l’Épine. It passes the 17th-century Sainte-Rose chapel, then reaches the ruins of the Château de l’Épine.
The climb stays modest and the route is fine for families. Legend has it that a lord of Montbel brought a thorn from Christ’s crown back to the castle.
What you see on the way
- The church at Nances (1878)
- The Sainte-Rose chapel (17th century)
- The ruins of the Château de l’Épine
Starting point
Cemetery car park, Nances
- Trailhead
- Trailhead
Cemetery car park, Nances
Start of “Sainte-Rose chapel and the Château de l’Épine”.
Before you set off
Check the weather and the lake webcams, and the state of the trail with the official source: a route can be closed (works, rockfall, snow) without this page knowing.