Circular via Roche Percée and the Romagnieux viewpoint from Béon

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
On Saturday, it was very hot, but the trail is mostly shaded by trees, so we didn't suffer too much from the heat. It's very pleasant.
There are a lot of stones on the path (almost all the way), so be careful if you have weak ankles and watch out for falls (slips are possible). The descent between points 6 and 9 is fairly gentle but continuous and quite demanding on the thighs and knees. You do need to be in good physical condition for this walk. But if you are, it's very enjoyable and there are some beautiful views too...
At point 6, the problem with the owner has still not been resolved and as we hadn't read the comments below... we also suffered the consequences of his dissatisfaction. Visorando, you really need to find a solution, it would be nice.
We were disappointed by this mishap, but otherwise it was great!

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Date of your route : Oct 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part is clearly marked as risky for inexperienced hikers, and this is indeed the case (up to point 4). In very dry weather, as is currently the case, the ground is almost like sand and the path tends to lead us towards the steep slope, with several difficult sections.
The description of the route is no longer up to date from point 6 onwards. Access to the viewpoint is via private property. The path indicated is blocked by branches, and the one you need to take is the one not recommended in the description (it rejoins the original route at point 9). This path is well maintained and the descent is undoubtedly much easier (even if it is sometimes steep and rocky).
We would classify this route as difficult and not to be attempted in wet weather.

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Date of your route : Apr 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note that the route from the Romagneu mountain pasture to the viewpoint has been changed: it is essential to go around the unfriendly gentleman's property. To do this, the (unmarked) detour path to the left of the property is deliberately blocked with branches, but with a little perseverance, you will find it again after about a hundred metres and can continue on to the viewpoint. The same applies further on: the detour path is again blocked by branches near the property, but then it clears and you can make the descent without any problems.

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The Romagneux viewpoint is no longer accessible because the owner refuses to allow dozens of people to walk past his house, which I completely understand.
If vegetation is growing, it is to prevent people from passing through, and the signage has also been updated to reflect this. The private property signs and chain are clearly on private property to ask hikers not to pass through.
We ask hikers to follow these instructions.
The current accessible route is "Romagneux from Beon" FFRandonnée guidebook D001 "L'Ain... à pied" route 25, which follows the "middle path" on this map.
The President of FFRandonnée Ain

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JoJac01300

Thank you for your feedback. This route does indeed pass through many private properties, as do most hiking trails. This is only a problem when the owners are openly hostile, which seems to be the case here. I will contact the author to possibly remove this listing if no alternative is possible.

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Date of your route : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

At point 6, we couldn't find the route indicated. A chain blocked the passage on the right, and signs saying "private property" and "no entry" were attached to the trees. Unable to find the route, we crossed the chain to ask the owner for directions. He approached us in an unpleasant manner, accusing us of not knowing how to read. When I explained that we had come to ask him where the path was, he told us that the Romagnieux viewpoint did not exist and that the only viewpoint was the rock above (at an additional altitude of about 500 m). His unfriendliness made us feel his hatred of hikers. We returned to Béon via another marked path (called the middle path) through a valley, far from routes 6-7-8. We rejoined the original route at point 9.
This hike lost much of its appeal because of this aggressive landowner who, judging by other comments, does not hesitate to block the path. In hindsight, I doubt that the chain is actually on his property, as we were unable to access the path, which probably branched off to the right shortly after the chain.

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route completed in good weather; the climb to Roche Percée is indeed steep, but you just need to take your time. The Tolkien-esque scenery and the incredible Roche Percée are well worth the effort.
We found the section between points 3 and 4 more difficult due to the dense vegetation that hides the sloping path along the cliff. The June rains have been good for the land... and that's a good thing. Again, just take your time.
We had no trouble finding our way around the private property to the Culoz viewpoint, where we had a picnic. We are two 70-year-old seniors, and the view from this spot, although limited, was enough to satisfy us.
In the end, we really enjoyed this hike on varied paths, trails and scenery.
THANK YOU to all those who take the time to share their hikes so that others can enjoy them too.

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Date of your route : Jun 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route for people in good physical condition. Climb up a stream bed over pebbles. Done in hot weather, no water. The arrival at the pierced rock is on the last part with the help of a rope, which is welcome. After the rock, the route winds along the edge of the cliff, so be careful as there is not much room to put your feet. We continued downhill, skipping sections 5 and 6, along a wide forest path. Beautiful hike.

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Date of your route : Mar 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The ideal route for a change when you've already done all the routes around Lake Bourget.
A succession of different landscapes, each as surprising as the last.
Ideally, don't set off too early, but rather at the end of the morning, so that you arrive on the plateau for lunch with a magnificent view (there are benches for eating seated)!

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Date of your route : Mar 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Unfortunately, we had a big scare when we arrived at a place called Montagneu. We accidentally drove onto private property. The owner came charging at us like a madman in his old, polluting 4x4. We apologised immediately, but he insulted and threatened us. He drove his vehicle at us. He even took photos of us. Feeling very uneasy, we finally found the path he had hidden with branches...
The next day, I called the Culoz police, who were unfortunately already aware of the situation. The police will be patrolling the area.
Otherwise, it was a lovely walk.

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Date of your route : Sep 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello, this route should be taken when the ground is dry. The path leading from point 6 to the rest of the route is completely blocked by branches. I think it's the neighbouring owner (private path on the right leading to a very beautiful house) who wants to maintain his peace and quiet! By pushing through the box trees like a wild boar (!), you can reach this marked path and then point 7 and its viewpoint (over La Chautagne and the Lavour marsh), which requires great caution but is well worth the detour!

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Hello,
95% of the proposed route is through woodland. Only the rock formation was interesting. The viewpoint overlooking Lake Bourget has been removed as it is considered too dangerous. In addition, access required crossing private property.
The route is not interesting.

Kind regards

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Date of your route : Jun 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Difficult hike for the first 2 km. Very steep climb with ropes and chains to hold on to, as well as a ladder to climb up part of the stream. This section is not suitable for everyone!
Allow an extra hour on top of the time mentioned on the route
Otherwise, the scenery is magnificent.

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