Mont Beauvoir Circular Walk

A lovely, well-structured circular loop, though it lacks a few viewpoints.
Part of the route is off-trail along the summit cliff.
Facing south to south-west, then west for the descent, entirely through woodland, this route is in the shade, even though the box trees have been badly affected by the box tree moth.

Details

n°1548436

Creation:
12 Oct 2018

Last update:
28 Oct 2018

Last review:
28 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 3.82 mi
Average duration: 3h 05
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,555 ft
Descent: - 1,552 ft
Highest point: 4,324 ft
Lowest point: 2,854 ft

Country: France
Area: Jura mountains
City: Saint-Pierre-de-Genebroz (73360)
Start/End: N 45.471509° / E 5.776775°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3333OT, 3333OTR
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Description of the walk

Park near the Riondet Lodge.

(S/E) Start heading east along the path leading to Pré Pollet. The route is flat at first, even slightly downhill, then climbs gradually before becoming much steeper as you approach the cliff section. Enjoy the view over the valley. Reach the junction leading to Pré Pollet.

(1) Turn left onto a blue-marked path which continues the climb, zigzagging towards the ridge. The path climbs towards the edge of the cliff then disappears into a small basin (rocky depression).

(2) Go round it on the right before reaching the edge of the cliff again. Follow the edge of the cliff to the summit of Mont Beauvoir, marked by a triangulation point.

(3) Continue along the cliff to rejoin a good path that runs alongside it.
Just before reaching the Col du Caut, slightly to the left, the path disappears again (the Col du Caut path is then a forest track that you cannot miss). Reach the pass.

(4) Join the excellent Col du Caut path, which allows you to descend comfortably and quickly down the cliff to reach the Mont Grelle forest road.

(5) Take it to the left towards the south. Reach the summit of the Prés du Riondet, then, via a short stretch of tarmac road, the car park at the start of the hike (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,933 ft - Riondet Lodge
1 : mi 1.09 - alt. 3,261 ft - Junction with the Pré Pollet path
2 : mi 1.64 - alt. 4,121 ft - Bassine
3 : mi 1.85 - alt. 4,324 ft - Summit of Mont Beauvoir
4 : mi 2.31 - alt. 4,186 ft - Col du Caut Trail
5 : mi 2.7 - alt. 3,629 ft - RF of Mont Grelle
S/E : mi 3.82 - alt. 2,936 ft - Riondet Lodge

Notes

As a precaution, as the path is not always clearly marked, you should have a good sense of direction and avoid periods of fog, even though the route is obvious along the cliff (in sparse woodland).
While the start of the walk is flat (which makes for a good warm-up), the route becomes increasingly steep as you approach the summit.

Worth a visit

Beautiful view from the summit.
Paragliding take-off in southerly winds at the summit of Les Prés du Riondet (Bande).

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.6 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

User 16049202

28 Oct 2025 at 20:02 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice climb, beautiful descent to the chapel, but the passage through Les Échelles and the return to St Christophe is tedious, so I would prefer an alternative route from the chapel

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Nousky38

17 Mar 2025 at 14:00 3600

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Difficulties in finding the right route due to a lack of clear signposting at the Col de Caut, and later on at the junction with the forest track leading back to the starting point.

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Jumanjee

14 Aug 2023 at 12:02 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike best done on a hot day to enjoy the coolness of the forest.
It can sometimes be difficult to follow the blue markings.
In the final section, the forest path has been completely ruined by logging:

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Cath.G

17 Mar 2021 at 18:05 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This is a hike best undertaken in autumn or spring, when the vegetation allows for views of the landscape; otherwise, there is only one vantage point at the summit. A note: the blue-marked trail is located about 50 metres before the junction leading to Pré Pollet; its start is not very visible, but it is then clearly marked all the way to the ridge. From there, follow the path closely along the cliff, marked in yellow or dotted with cairns if there are no markings, and head north until you reach the Col de Caut.
As for the views, they are at their best right at the start near the lodge, offering stunning views of the Chartreuse massif from an unusual angle. And the box trees are starting to grow back along the path!

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henri57

19 Nov 2018 at 16:02 3600

Hello,

Reliability of the route on the map: Average

By "Map route", we mean assessing the accuracy of the route as shown on the map against the actual terrain.

Did the route cause any problems? If so, how can this be resolved?

See you soon

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AlainLombardi

19 Nov 2018 at 15:22 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A stunning view right from the start. Unfortunately, I stopped at ‘La Bassine’ (or so I think, anyway). I had to turn back when I came to a scree slope; beyond that, I couldn’t find the path again. I’ll give it another go.

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