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

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.99 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 642 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 637 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,236 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 895 m

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 : km 0 - alt. 930 m - Car park on the edge of the D9 road
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 915 m - Red mountain bike trail in the opposite direction
  3. 2 : km 1.19 - alt. 926 m - Path climbing to the left
  4. 3 : km 1.35 - alt. 966 m - On the right (against mountain bike traffic)
  5. 4 : km 1.66 - alt. 961 m - On the left
  6. 5 : km 2.09 - alt. 994 m - Everything must
  7. 6 : km 2.77 - alt. 1,013 m - PR on the left
  8. 7 : km 3.41 - alt. 1,066 m - PR towards Golet Marnier
  9. 8 : km 4.1 - alt. 1,141 m - PR towards Belvédère de Planachat
  10. 9 : km 5.43 - alt. 1,236 m - Belvédère de Planachat
  11. 10 : km 6.19 - alt. 1,155 m - PR towards Guichard Farm - Col de la Clye (1156m)
  12. 11 : km 7.07 - alt. 1,079 m - PR towards Trou de la Marmite
  13. 12 : km 7.76 - alt. 999 m - Cross the stream and take the PR on the right
  14. 13 : km 8.04 - alt. 988 m - Return trip to Trou de la Marmite
  15. 14 : km 8.19 - alt. 950 m - Trou de la Marmite
  16. 15 : km 8.77 - alt. 995 m - Picnic area
  17. 16 : km 8.84 - alt. 1,005 m - Notre-Dame de Mazières Chapel
  18. 17 : km 9.46 - alt. 1,077 m - Return trip to Belvédère du Curnillon - Col du Cornillon (1079m)
  19. 18 : km 9.84 - alt. 1,100 m - Curnillon viewpoint
  20. 19 : km 10.85 - alt. 1,199 m - Belvedere
  21. 20 : km 11.54 - alt. 1,199 m - Orientation table, blue trail
  22. 21 : km 12.78 - alt. 1,005 m - Forest road to Curnillon
  23. 22 : km 14.4 - alt. 1,010 m - Black mountain bike trail
  24. S/E : km 14.99 - alt. 926 m - 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

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
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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