Circular Pas du Grand Échaillon starting from Léoncel

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A short, very well-signposted and fairly easy walk, but with a section featuring a narrow, steep slope with a significant elevation gain or loss, depending on the direction chosen. This requires a good level of fitness and suitable footwear. Stunning views over Léoncel.

Details

n°25111263
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.18 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 994 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 981 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,907 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,969 ft
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Photos

Path between “Frachelongue” and “Les Marais”.
Steep path between the “Pas du Grand Echaillon” and “Frachelongue”.
View of Léoncel taken from the “Pas du Grand Echaillon”.
View of Léoncel

Description of the walk

Park in the car park under the trees, located on the outskirts of Léoncel, on the road to the Col de la Bataille.

(S/E) Walk for about 300 m along the road towards the Col de la Bataille. Cross the small bridge, then pass the Ponts et Chaussée building. Just after this building, look out for the red and white markings of the GR®93 at a place called Bérangeon.

(1) Turn right and head towards “Frachelongue”.

(2) Turn right onto the GR®9 towards “Les Marais”.

(3) Leave the GR®9 and turn left, almost 180°, towards the Pas du Grand Échaillon. About a hundred metres before reaching it, you can take a short path of a few metres through the boxwood on the left, which leads to the cliff and offers a superb view of Léoncel. Caution: danger at the edge of the cliff! Continue on to the Pas.

(4) Turn left towards Frachelongue. Then keep heading in the same direction to continue descending towards Bérangeon.

(2) Carry on straight ahead.

(1) At Bérangeon, turn left onto the road to reach the car park at Léoncel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,979 ft - Car park at Léoncel
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 2,986 ft - Bérangeon
  3. 2 : mi 0.32 - alt. 3,150 ft - Frachelongue, junction of the circular loop
  4. 3 : mi 1.28 - alt. 3,077 ft - Les Marais
  5. 4 : mi 2.48 - alt. 3,888 ft - Pas du Grand Échaillon
  6. S/E : mi 3.18 - alt. 2,979 ft - Car park at Léoncel

Notes

The section between Frachelongue and Les Marais is almost flat and partly in full sun.

The section between Les Marais and the Pas du Grand Échaillon is mostly through woodland, with a wide and very pleasant path.

The section between the Pas du Grand Échaillon and Frachelongue is very steep, entirely through woodland, along a very narrow, winding path that can be slippery.

Depending on these factors and the weather, this walk can be done in either direction from Frachelongue.

Worth a visit

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

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.3 / 5
User 19879641
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Follow the directions provided. The climb up the rocky path is quite long and requires a good level of fitness. We did this in mid-August in sunny weather. The heat remains oppressive. The descent through the undergrowth is not necessarily easy and requires caution as it can be slippery or treacherous due to roots and leaves on the ground. I think that even though the elevation gain is greater when going through the undergrowth, it is preferable to go in the opposite direction. There are few viewpoints along the walk, which is a shame.

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Jean Pierre G.
Jean Pierre G.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Apart from crossing a stream, the hike was always under cover of trees, so there was very little view of the landscape.

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Carlos26
Carlos26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to get some fresh air (for me, it was in the middle of a heatwave) up to the halfway point, after which it climbs steeply. There are viewpoints overlooking the village of Léoncel. (It’s very dirty, thanks to all those walkers who do their business in the same spot… There’s loads of toilet paper lying around on the ground! Shameful.)

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Juley
Juley

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The first section at Frachelongue is a steep climb. Make sure you warm up your thighs first! The descent is pleasant.

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