Borne au Lion - Crêt de Chalam

de fr

A breathtaking view.
This hike is a round trip to Crêt de Chalam where, on a clear day, you will have a 360° panorama of the Jura and the Alps. At the summit, there are two orientation tables.

Details

n°38569870
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 258 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 258 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,543 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,285 m
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Photos

Crêt de Chalam
Crêt de Chalam
Borne au Lion

Description of the walk

The start is from the Borne au Lion car park.
The hike is marked in yellow.

(S/E) Leave the car park in the direction of Borne au Lion. After the memorial, turn right onto theGR® and enter the woods for about a hundred metres.

(1) Take the first path on the left (marked in yellow). The path climbs fairly steadily and without any particular difficulty, except for the constant incline, to reach an intersection at an elevation of 1,423 metres.

(2) Take the path that climbs to the left. The slope then becomes steeper. The path is sometimes replaced by steps and arrives at the ridge.

(3) Turn left. The path is even steeper and is largely replaced by steps, especially in the last few metres. Continue to the Crêt de Chalam viewpoint (elevation 1540).

(4) 360° viewpoint and two orientation tables.
Return to the car park (S/E) via the same route you took on the way up.
Please note: the northern path, visible on the IGN map, which used to form a circular route, no longer exists.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,285 m - Borne au Lion car park
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 1,289 m - GR intersection - Yellow marked trail
  3. 2 : km 1.98 - alt. 1,426 m - Intersection. Elevation 1423.
  4. 3 : km 2.48 - alt. 1,493 m - Stairs. Ridge
  5. 4 : km 2.64 - alt. 1,543 m - Belvedere - Crêt de Chalam
  6. S/E : km 5.27 - alt. 1,285 m - Borne au Lion car park

Notes

The path climbs steadily throughout the hike with no flat sections. The last part is steep and requires good footwear. Walking poles are a significant advantage.
Route rating:
- From the start to point 2: Easy to Moderate
- From point 2 to point 4: moderate to difficult
It took us 3 hours, but we are used to hiking on flat terrain!
But the view is well worth the effort.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Aline Christian
Aline Christian

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The view from the summit is truly magnificent! Thank you for suggesting this little hike.

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User 15066393

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A sublime hike with a significant elevation gain that will require breaks... but these will be opportunities to admire the sumptuous landscape. Once at the summit, you will be rewarded with a remarkable panorama overlooking the majestic Mont Blanc. Then it will be time to descend and return to earth.
If all the hikers you meet on this trail are smiling, there's a good reason for it!

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nadofmars
nadofmars

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike
Very hot at the top, final climb in full sun

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User 26397992

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Top notch, everything is described clearly and precisely, well done!

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Phil.Cormier
Phil.Cormier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Short round trip hike, easy and shaded trail, suitable for families, with the last 200 metres more difficult due to steps and rocky terrain. Superb 360° view.
Be careful when it rains or has rained, as it may be muddy.

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Rando Leo
Rando Leo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike (suitable for families) that is not too long and offers stunning views from the Crêt de Chalam. Best done on a sunny day to fully enjoy the view.
Avoid rainy days or days after heavy rain, as the trail becomes quite muddy.

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Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. This hike for experienced walkers leads to majestic peaks steeped in history. A true immersion in unspoilt wilderness, passing through ancient clandestine paths... A demanding excursion through deep forests and green mountain pastures, following in the footsteps of the "smugglers" who, in the 18th century, used these discreet paths to transport their clandestine goods. Starting from Chézery-Forens, the route follows the wild Valserine river before beginning the ascent to the Reculet, which rises to 1,719 metres. Topped by its famous cross erected in 1892, this summit offers breathtaking views of the Lake Geneva basin and Mont Blanc on a clear day. The descent towards the alpine chalets (La Polvette and La Capitaine) joins the Chézerands pass and the hamlet of Rosset. The Reculet cross, weighing 1,600 kg, was hoisted on the backs of four inhabitants of Thoiry.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.