JCParavy

L’Ouillon, at the summit of the Sybelles ski area, offers a magnificent 360° view of the Alpine massifs. The ascent via the Col du Glandon and the descent via the Col de la Croix de Fer allow you to explore the mountain pastures in the area. As this circular route is fairly short, it can be usefully extended with a visit to the Potron and Guichard Lakes to enjoy the reflections of the peaks spotted from the Ouillon.

A low-altitude circular loop that can be completed in half a day starting from La Placette on the western slope of the Grande Sure massif; best tackled in the afternoon to make the most of the light. The ascent via the Pas de l’Aronde requires caution, particularly when crossing exposed ledges on the cliff face and, above all, when traversing earthy gullies where sliding is prohibited. The return route via the Pas de Miséricorde is also exposed and is currently closed due to rockfalls => you must take the detour via the Combe des Veaux and Jusson until it reopens officially.

Mont de Péclet, situated on the ridge separating the Belleville and Allues valleys, lies against the Péclet-Polset Massif. It offers sweeping views over much of the Alps, from the Écrins to Mont Blanc. The altitude of the starting point in Val Thorens makes it one of the shortest and easiest 3,000-metre peaks accessible by hiking.

The highest point of the Serra d’Irta forms part of a ridge stretching from south to north, which is easy to follow. The approach from the west, via the Xivert side, is fairly quick; only the return journey along the road is a little long in the sun. This route is shorter and less demanding than the one coming from Alcossebre.

El Caro is a high point (1,442 m) in the Ports Natural Park, at the far end of Catalonia, overlooking the Ebro Valley. A road leads up to it from the valley, as it serves the mobile phone masts installed on this exposed summit. This road is best known to cyclists, who climb nearly 1,200 m over 13.8 km. However, this summit lies on a ridge that can be explored on foot, starting from the wooded plateau at its base. The elevation gain on this circular route is modest, but some of the climbs are physically demanding. The view from the summit is therefore well worth the effort on this route.

Behind its seafront, the resort of Peñiscola has preserved a marsh that is still fed by water, situated downstream of its agricultural area. A footpath has been created to allow visitors to explore this wild natural environment just a stone’s throw from the apartment blocks. This circular walk starts from the free car park at Bellavista (the former campsite) and follows old country lanes nestled within the residential area to reach the marsh.

The Emparis Plateau is a famous vantage point overlooking La Meije and the surrounding mountain ranges, particularly from its Lacs Noir and Lérié. This double circular route follows the classic route around these lakes but extends the circular route to include a less-frequented return route, which prolongs the day’s views.

The border range near Modane comprises a series of peaks along a ridge, which the French call Grand Argentier and the Italians call Punta Nera (Pointe Noire). It is possible to visit these peaks by traversing from the Col de la Roue to the Col du Fréjus, following the ‘Sentiers de la Mémoire’ (Paths of Remembrance) across these passes, which are dotted with military border defences bearing witness to the fighting of 1940.

This circular loop allows you to visit a number of lakes on the southern slope of Belledonne: starting from Le Recoin de Chamrousse, the route typically takes you to the Robert Lakes via the southern and northern passes, but you can also continue further up through the wild Combe de Jasse-Bralard to reach Lac David, then descend via the GR®738 alongside the Claret, Longet, Bernard, Léama, Robert and Pourettes lakes. Whilst most of the route follows marked paths, there are a few sections of fairly difficult terrain, and the cumulative elevation gain should not be underestimated, given the number of ascents and descents.

This is a circular loop that immerses you in the world of the Southern Vercors Hauts Plateaux, with no major difficulties other than navigation, and reasonable elevation gains. For lovers of solitude and wide open spaces who aren’t put off by venturing off the beaten track.

This is a magnificent ridge walk around the Sanctuary of La Salette, a circular route offering stunning views all along the way. First, you climb the Gargas, crossing from the Col d’Huretières to the Col de l’Éterpat, then ascend to Le Chamoux to follow the long ridge via the Tête de la Pale Traversière and then the Croix du Rougny, before descending for a mid-slope traverse back to the Sanctuary. Please read the practical information carefully before setting out on this route.

These two peaks offer a magnificent view of Mont Aiguille and its north-eastern spur, from which you are separated only by deep gullies. But these views have to be earned; the route is demanding, following paths that are sometimes overgrown and often very steep, and is only passable in dry weather. However, the effort required is fully rewarded.

Here is a double circular route that stays at low altitude, making it suitable for all seasons. It first takes you on a Land Art route at the Ferme de Chosal, then follows the right bank of the Usses upstream to the Ponts de la Caille, passing by the former thermal spa site of the Bains de la Caille, before returning along the wooded left bank.

A circular loop starting from the Sur Lyand area, running along the heights between Valromey and the Rhône Valley, and taking in three ridges with splendid views of the Alps: the Griffe du Diable, the Croix du Grand Colombier, and then, after passing through Arvière, the Hergues.

This is a steady climb through the forest and then across mountain pastures to reach a beautiful ridge in the northern Aravis, offering sweeping views. Several peaks along the ridge can be visited on snowshoes or ski touring.

The Forêt des Coulmes offers an endless variety of route combinations. This circular loop takes you to visit the Grotte des Bœufs, then leaves the beaten track to follow the edge of the state-owned forest until climbing off-trail onto the Serre Coton ridge, before descending back to Les Croisettes and continuing along a well-marked path to Patente and the orientation table overlooking Malleval, before returning to Le Faz.

The Dôme de la Girotte is a hill (not named on IGN maps) overlooking the dam and Lac de la Girotte. The approach from Les Granges is quite steep through the forest, but then leads through mountain pastures with safe and pleasant slopes all winter long, up to a ridge offering fine views of Mont Blanc.

This is a snowshoe hike on safe and easily accessible slopes; only the last slope is steeper and more difficult if there is no trail. The view along the ridge is extensive, over Les Bauges, Les Bornes and Belledonne in the distance.

Here is a version of the snowshoe route over the Aliénard, Tracol and Ruchère passes, which can be varied in many ways. This is undoubtedly the longest route as it stretches to Chartroussette and covers undulating terrain that remains safe in the event of avalanche risk and is therefore well suited to snowshoeing.

A summit with 360° views, easily accessible between forest and mountain pastures. Suitable for a family outing or for getting back into snowshoeing at the start of the season. Part of the route is shared with cross-country skiers, who are numerous around the Col de Chaussy.

Mont Veyrier proudly overlooks Lake Annecy and offers magnificent views. The Sentier des Crêtes trail allows you to walk from north to south, from Col des Sauts to Vallon des Contrebandiers. The proposed circular route reduces the distance by starting from Hameau de la Combe, in the centre of the western slope, with two somewhat steep passages at the ends of the ridge trail.

Large circular loop visiting the areas between Montagne de Bange and the Nordic areas of Saint-François-de-Sales. The ascent is via Mariet dessus to Creux de Lachat, then via the refuge, a climb to Les Pendants and back down via the ridge and its orientation table to Col de la Cochette. Climb back up to La Culaz and take a short detour to discover a curious altar dedicated to a refractory priest and a cross in the middle of the forest, before descending to the Chalet de la Plate and further down to the GR® trail to climb back up to the Tourbière des Creusates and the Croix des Bergers. The return journey is still long through the forest and then down the seemingly endless descent from La Plate to Montagny.A varied route between forests and mountain pastures, don't overlook the number of ascents and descents, but the views are well worth the effort.

This is an interesting circular loop that crosses the Pointes de Chavasse and then Chalune, with extensive views of the Northern Alps along the way. The elevation gain is not very significant, but the climbs are steep, particularly the one up the West Couloir of Pointe de Chavasse, which alone justifies the "very difficult" rating.

Above Catí, Tossal de la Nevera is one of the highest points in this part of the Maestrazgo, with extensive views on a clear day. A refurbished marked loop runs along this ridge from Catí, but it includes a lot of road at the bottom. This guide suggests starting a little higher up to limit the amount of tarmac and the length of the walk. The path climbs gently up the Barranc de la Tova, then ascends through the forest until it reaches the mountain pastures at the Col de la Selleta, from where the end of the climb is clearly visible between terraces bordered by retaining walls or small rocky outcrops. The return route follows the ridge line for a good while, then passes by Avellà, a historic thermal spring, before descending via the pass to Catí.

This summit is the end of a ridge descending from the Vanoise glaciers and allows you to immerse yourself on this slope of the right bank of the Torrent de Chavière overlooking the Prioux, without too much elevation gain or real technical difficulty, but at the cost of part of the route being off-trail.

This loop south of the Lauzière allows you to explore both sides of the chain, climbing directly to the Pas de Sarvatan, then crossing the western slope via a well-marked trail before descending from the Col de Monjoie through beautiful meadows.

This circular route starting from Gresse-en-Vercors takes you across a section of the massif’s eastern wall, with unbroken views across the French Alps. There is a steep climb up to the Pas de Berrièves, followed by a descent via the Pas de la Ville, a route taken by many visitors to the Grand Veymont. In between, it is a fairly easy route taking in several peaks amidst exceptional scenery.

A low-altitude circular route that is demanding, rising first to the beautiful Teppes Cochon waterfall, then climbing up to the Plateau des Petites Roches via the well-marked Pierre-Plate path, before crossing along the hillside towards Les Prés, and then descending back down to Grésivaudan via the tricky Pas du Facteur.

A circular route combining a walk through the forest and a traverse across a plateau, offering unobstructed views of the Belledonne peaks, whilst staying clear of the downhill ski resort. From the Col de Merdaret (alt. 1,798 m), it is easy to make a round trip to the Grand Rocher (alt. 1,926 m), a summit that is very popular in fine weather.

This short circular loop above Hautecour climbs up to the mountain pastures, where the snow covers gentle slopes that are pleasant to walk on, as you can make your own track pretty much wherever you like. The view, particularly from the Signal, is exceptionally sweeping, stretching all the way to the Écrins.

This route through the Bonnevaux Forest takes you past various sites once used by the monks of Bonnevaux Abbey, a Cistercian monastery that no longer exists. Special signposts, marked with numbers, refer to the sites described in a brochure.

On the outskirts of Chambéry, the Nant du Ruisseau du Pontet retains a wild course, hemmed in by urban development, with its waterfalls and gorges offering an interesting hike that continues up the Grobelle hillside for views over the Chambéry Basin. The return route naturally involves some sections along roads that are fairly unavoidable given the layout of the area.

A fairly long, undemanding circular route allowing you to climb to the Col de la Fullie and follow the long ridge to the Col de la Sciaz via Mont Pelat, with its sweeping views. The alternation between woodland and mountain pastures adds to the variety of the route, although the lower sections may lack snow depending on the season. As the ski lifts are now out of service, the area is left free for ski tourers and snowshoe walkers.

A lovely circular route alternating between woodland and mountain pastures, running along the eastern slope of Chamechaude, with a few steep ascents and descents, but no real difficulties provided there are tracks to follow on the descent from the Habert de Chamechaude to the Col de l’Émeindras. The Émeindras area is very busy in fine weather, whilst the Habert de Chamechaude is much less so.

A fairly short circular route allowing you to climb from Opoul to Salveterra Castle, which dominates the landscape, then descend via the Col de la Sabine. This can be done as a stopover on a journey to Spain, as it is not far from the A6 motorway junction – La Catalane (Rivesaltes).

The Tossal d’Encanadé (or Encanader) is the highest point in the Tinença de Benifassá Natural Park. The suggested route starts from the village of Fedes, already at an altitude of 1,100 metres, climbs to the Coll de Tombadors, then follows the descending ridge of the Serra Pelada before climbing again to the Tossal d’Encanadé. The circular return path passes through Mas Blanc, then descends through the forest along an old, overgrown path, where cairns help to keep you on track. It brings you back down to an altitude of 1,000 metres, from where you must make a fairly long climb through the forest to return to Fredes.

Roc de la Charbonnière is not the best-known of the peaks, but it sits enthroned in the centre of the Beaufortain massif, opposite Pierra Menta. The ridge route leading there from Mont Coin is magnificent, with views in all directions and abundant flora in season. Only the final climb in a chaotic mineral landscape is more demanding than the grassy terrain that predominates along the route.

Mont de la Charvaz can be climbed from various sides. Here is a circular route offering a variety of routes from Ontex: ascent via La Cauche and the western slope, and a more direct descent via the mountain itself.

A magnificent, fairly challenging traverse, taking in the Grande and then the Petite Moucherolle, ascending via the Col des Deux Sœurs and descending via the Pas de la Balme, starting from the Arzelier resort. Several sections require caution, either due to the steepness of the rocky outcrops to be crossed or the deterioration of the historic path, but the views, both along the route and from the summits, more than make up for the effort required. This hike is classified as very difficult for the reasons explained in the “Practical Information” section.

A circular route starting from La Ruchère, which takes you along a significant section of the ridge comprising the Rochers du Frou, the Rochers du Quartier and the Rochers du Pertuis. The route is mainly through woodland, but offers some lovely views over the valley.

This long circular route starting from the Albarine Valley takes you across several of the Bugey’s ridges, bringing you close to the Chartreuse de Porte area before returning via the Câline Valley. The climb to the Rochers de la Falconnière is steep and equipped with handrails. The rest of the ridge walk, from the Balcon de la Falconnière to the Crêt St-Martin and then on to the Crêt de Pont via the Golet d’Ars, follows easy forest tracks. The descent is long, starting off steeply through the forest, then, after a short stretch of flat road, involves a slight climb to pass through the village of Blanaz.

This circular route goes up the Ruisseau d'Armaille, passes La Roche Percée de Corne Bœuf and runs alongside the marshes and Lacs d'Armaille, before descending through the forest. Remaining at low altitude, it can be done in any season, with only the water levels of the lakes and streams potentially complicating certain passages.

This circular route straddling the Séran river is at a moderate altitude and therefore accessible in all seasons. It combines a forest trail with a more open environment, passing by some remarkable sites in Valromey: the Pont des Tines, the Étang des Alliettes, the Belvédère de Châteauneuf and the Puits des Tines.

Riding a ridge largely composed of eroded gypsum, the Dents de la Portetta form a wall of vertical limestone cut into towers separated by deep gaps, which have earned them the nickname ‘Little Dolomites’. Whilst the summits are for serious climbers, a route allows you to weave your way between the rocks to soak up the unique atmosphere and pass along the foot of these spires before a more peaceful return via the mountain pastures.

This is a lovely circular route in the Beaufortain, approaching the Mont Blanc massif, allowing you to explore historic and unique routes such as the Chemin du Curé or the Crête des Gittes. The view from the summit over the Alps, from Monte Rosa to the Ecrins, is exceptional. The section from the Col du Bonhomme to the refuge and on to the Col des Fours is very busy in summer, as it forms part of the Tour du Mont Blanc or one of its variants.

Roche Parnal and Montagne de Sous-Dîne are advanced viewpoints of the Bornes massif, ahead of Glières, and dominate the La Roche-sur-Foron area. The circular route offers a varied and interesting but demanding itinerary: some sections are exposed and several cable passages require caution, particularly the Col du Câble, which justifies the rating given.

The peaks of the Baujus often offer varied routes: the Colombier d’Aillon can be climbed via multiple faces. This circular route is slightly more challenging than the classic routes, as it involves following the ridge of the Rochers de la Bade, which requires effort and concentration: the descent to the Col de la Cochette can be exposed and physically demanding, and is best undertaken in dry weather.

Circular trail exploring the Lavours Marsh and its nature reserve, via the boardwalk, then along the Séran river before climbing the Courbettes hill to return to Ceyzérieu.

A long route following the Leysse and then the Ruisseau de Ternèze along the right bank, before descending via the left bank, allowing you to explore places that are by turns wild and marked by past human activity. The presence of water makes these sections pleasant in summer. The route is long as it covers the entire length; it is possible to shorten it at any point where you can cross from one bank to the other.

This circular route takes you over three peaks in the southern Vercors, offering a variety of views. Alternating between woodland and mountain pastures, it is accessible over a wide season, and a good part of it can be completed on snowshoes in winter.