Loop with panoramic views around the Trou de la Marmite

This hike is based on the 4 belvederes walk. The route has been modified to take into account the opinions of hikers who have given their feedback. In particular, the trail is more precise and the parts considered less interesting have been removed. We are delighted with this new version, which is particularly suitable for hot days (tested during the heatwave of August 2025).
The route is mostly through woods and on unpaved paths or tracks. It offers splendid panoramic views from various viewpoints as well as iconic sites: Trou de la Marmite, Notre-Dame de Mazières Chapel, etc. On a clear day, you will have the pleasure of admiring Mont Blanc.

Details

82547861
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.32 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,106 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,090 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,055 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,936 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park on the edge of the D9 road on the outskirts of Hauteville-Lompnes, in front of the last building of the ORSAC Mangini rehabilitation centre.

(S/E) Take the Black mountain bike trail, which descends through a recently deforested area, then continue into the woods.

(1) At the first fork, leave the Black mountain bike trail and turn left, going in the opposite direction to another mountain bike trail, and cross the Mélogne stream (downstream from the Trou de la Marmite, which you will discover later).

(2) About 100 metres after crossing the Mazières road, take the path that climbs to the left.

(3) After the climb, continue straight ahead on the flat path in the opposite direction to the mountain bike signs.

(4) Follow another climb to the left, then continue south.

(5) Continue straight ahead, partly following the mountain bike trails.

(6) When you reach the foot of the old Planachat slopes, turn left onto the semi-tarmaced path marked PR®.

(7) Leave the track to take the "coupe-lacet" climb and reach Golet Marnier by following the PR®.

(8) At the Golet Marnier crossroads, turn right onto the PR® towards the Belvédère de Planachat, via a ridge path that becomes steep towards the end. Pass at the foot of the huge television relay tower and reach the summit of Planachat.

(9) After admiring the view, descend via the PR® towards Col de la Clye. At the intersection, continue to the left.

(10) At Col de la Clye, follow the road (PR®) towards Ferme Guichard, pass the farm and continue for another 200 metres.

(11) Continue along the PR® trail, turning left through the woods.

(12) Ford a stream and follow it on your right before joining the RD9 (Col de la Rochette road) at the "La pierre taillée" sign.

(13) Make a return trip following the road on the left to discover the famous Trou de la Marmite. To see it properly, you have to climb down the very steep embankment beyond the tourist sign. Once you are close enough to see it, there is no need to get any closer if you are afraid of heights. Please be careful at all times.

(14) Then retrace your steps.

(13) Turn left and carefully follow the road north for 400 metres.

(15) Turn right to reach the Notre-Dame de Mazières site and discover the statue of the Virgin Mary, its legend and its chapel. Picnic tables and barbecues are available, but please respect the spirituality of the place.

(16) Set off again on a steep climb towards the Croix de Curnillon (spelled Cornillon on the map and Curnillon on the signs).

(17) Turn left to go to the Belvédère de Curnillon.

(18) Retrace your steps.

(17) Continue straight ahead and cross the crossroads to take the steep path opposite.

(19) Continue along the ridge path with one last steep climb, then a pretty trail that offers glimpses of beautiful views here and there when the vegetation allows. You will reach the second highest point of the route: the summit of La Praille.

(20) Orientation table from where you can admire Mont Blanc on a clear day. The descent is via one of the ski slopes on the west side (blue Tétras or green Dahu slope) to the road, which you follow to the left for about 250 m (avoid the black slope called "KL" on the east side, which descends steeply towards La Praille!

(21) At the crossroads, turn left onto the forest road towards Curnillon, which descends gently.

(22) Descend to the right one last time on the black mountain bike enduro trail to complete this loop and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,051 ft - Car park on the edge of the D9 road
  2. 1 : mi 0.21 - alt. 3,002 ft - Red mountain bike trail in the opposite direction
  3. 2 : mi 0.74 - alt. 3,038 ft - Path climbing to the left
  4. 3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 3,169 ft - On the right (against mountain bike traffic)
  5. 4 : mi 1.03 - alt. 3,153 ft - On the left
  6. 5 : mi 1.3 - alt. 3,261 ft - Everything must
  7. 6 : mi 1.72 - alt. 3,323 ft - PR on the left
  8. 7 : mi 2.12 - alt. 3,497 ft - PR towards Golet Marnier
  9. 8 : mi 2.55 - alt. 3,743 ft - PR towards Belvédère de Planachat
  10. 9 : mi 3.37 - alt. 4,055 ft - Belvédère de Planachat
  11. 10 : mi 3.85 - alt. 3,789 ft - PR towards Guichard Farm - Col de la Clye (1156m)
  12. 11 : mi 4.39 - alt. 3,540 ft - PR towards Trou de la Marmite
  13. 12 : mi 4.82 - alt. 3,278 ft - Cross the stream and take the PR on the right
  14. 13 : mi 5 - alt. 3,241 ft - Return trip to Trou de la Marmite
  15. 14 : mi 5.09 - alt. 3,117 ft - Trou de la Marmite
  16. 15 : mi 5.45 - alt. 3,264 ft - Picnic area
  17. 16 : mi 5.5 - alt. 3,297 ft - Notre-Dame de Mazières Chapel
  18. 17 : mi 5.88 - alt. 3,533 ft - Return trip to Belvédère du Curnillon - Col du Cornillon (1079m)
  19. 18 : mi 6.11 - alt. 3,609 ft - Curnillon viewpoint
  20. 19 : mi 6.74 - alt. 3,934 ft - Belvedere
  21. 20 : mi 7.17 - alt. 3,934 ft - Orientation table, blue trail
  22. 21 : mi 7.94 - alt. 3,297 ft - Forest road to Curnillon
  23. 22 : mi 8.95 - alt. 3,314 ft - Black mountain bike trail
  24. S/E : mi 9.32 - alt. 3,038 ft - Car park on the edge of the D9 road

Notes

Make sure you are well equipped with water, shoes and clothing: there is no shelter or water source on this route except at the Guichard farm during opening hours.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 18371484

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A weekday hike during a heatwave – plenty of shade!
At point 1, I pushed on to the Trou de la Marmitte waterfall, which was almost dry (steep, rocky path)
At point 14, there was a dizzying and dangerous descent; I didn’t take the risk of going down to see the Trou de la Marmitte up close – the pool and the rock arch are visible from the road!
The viewpoints are magnificent, and the first two are equipped for picnics!

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phdorando
phdorando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, mainly through woodland and along the ridges. Beautiful views.
The multitude of paths makes finding your way a bit tricky. The signposts at junctions could do with being a bit clearer.
With the route downloaded onto the app, no problem.

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champet67
champet67

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, what a lovely spring route.
NB: It’s a shame the Marmite hole isn’t very visible as it’s hidden by the trees, and it’s dangerous to climb down!
A lovely spot for a picnic at the Chapel of Notre Dame de Mazieres, very well equipped with tables and a barbecue.
Thanks to those who set it up.

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Poulet Hubert
Poulet Hubert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely spring walk. Ideal for when the longer routes are still covered in snow

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User 28373772

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, undulating walk with no real difficulty.
There are a few missing markings, particularly at the start and near the ski slopes, but with the GPS track you can find your way.

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cbellu
cbellu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easier in the direction from Alex to Bluffy and back. Beautiful views of Lake Annecy and the castle of Menthon St Bernard

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Pierrotk10d
Pierrotk10d

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Good hike. I went up the Mélogne river a little after point 1 to see the waterfall. Not much water, a little disappointing.
Despite the bad weather, it was a lovely walk. The forecast had predicted sunny spells. The return journey from point 21 seemed very long.

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