Chalet d'Arvière - Pont de La Loi

(S) From the Arvière chalet, take the GR® to the right. A few hundred metres further on, cross the Arvière river and head to the opposite bank, then continue to the junction of two tracks.

(1) Climb gradually up the track on the left, passing to the left of the Sapin Daubrée, and continue to the end of the track.

(2) The route continues its ascent through the forest towards the Col de la Charbemènes, crossing several logging tracks just before the pass — follow the red and white markings carefully. Head to the bottom of the field where there is a water supply.

(3) The GR® veers off to the right and continues straight on at the crossroads a few metres further on. It follows the ridge between the edge of the forest and the clearing to reach the first peak of the Grand Colombier. Continue, keeping the cross in your sights.

(4) At the cross, the view is exceptional: Lake Bourget, Lake Annecy, Mont Blanc, the Alps, Valromey and the surrounding area. The path then descends on the other side, crosses the Col du Colombier road and climbs back up to the highest point (1,534 m). It then follows the ridge, passing by the Pierre Fillola and the Pierre Amion, and follows the col road to the next three-way junction.

(5) Follow the road to the left for 500 m, then rejoin a path at the hairpin bend. It passes between two water reservoirs on the descent and soon reaches the junction of the GRP® Balcon du Valromey and the Grande Traversée du Jura.

(6) Keep left on the GR® towards Les Granges Neuves. The path descends, enters the woods and will not emerge until the finish. At La Côte aux Andrés, the slope becomes steeper and briefly joins a forest track.

(7) After entering a short clearing, take the second right and continue the descent, passing several houses. The route joins the D120b road and a viewpoint: the Point de Vue du Fenestrez.

(8) The GR® continues downhill to the left with a series of hairpin bends over a descent of more than 300 metres before reaching the hamlet of Romagneux.

(9) Keep left on the GR® and continue the descent with around fifteen more bends, briefly joining the Col road and then the heights of Culoz.

(10) At the top of the housing estate, take the path that runs alongside the River Jourdan and joins Rue Arsène Dumont. Turn left onto Rue de Chantemerle, then left onto Rue Montveran, then right onto Rue Henry Dunant.

(11) Head down to the right along Rue de l’Église, then continue straight on along Rue des Frères Serpollet to reach the main road in the heart of Culoz.

(12) Continue left onto Avenue Jean Falconnier, pass the Ciat factory and the Collège Henri Dunant, continue to the edge of town, reach the roundabout and take the first right. At the next roundabout, continue straight ahead and cross the Pont de la Loi over the Rhône (E).

The GTJ ends in Culoz, from where you can catch the train. On the other side of the bridge, you can join the GR®65 towards Santiago de Compostela.

Before you set off:
- Check the weather forecast to ensure there is no rain.
- Find out about the approach walk, the altitude of the route, walking time and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.).
- Assess potential risks by consulting mountain professionals, mountain huts and lodges.
- Inform a friend or family member of your plans and contact them again if there are any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with everyone’s phone number, vehicle(s), car park.
- Avoid setting off alone; use equipment suitable for the activity, properly adjusted and in good condition, including a head torch, a fully stocked first-aid kit, a survival blanket, etc.
- In the event of a problem, call 112 (the European emergency number).

Additional advice and recommendations:
To find out more about our destination, visit our website: Pays de Gex Tourisme.

Be well equipped:
Good equipment is the key to a successful multi-day hike. Pack a suitable rucksack (around 10 kg) and don’t forget the essentials:
- Technical clothing for cold and wet weather
- Sleeping bag or sleeping mat
- Sunglasses
- Food and water
- Head torch
- Walking poles
- Fully stocked first-aid kit

Water is essential. Find out about water supply points along your route and take water purification tablets with you in case you don’t have access to drinking water.

Useful websites: Les Grandes Traversées du Jura, Bugey Sud Tourist Office

Arvière Forest and Site In the heart of the Arvière Forest, an exceptionally peaceful spot where the Carthusians founded a monastery in the 12th century. Ruins of the Carthusian monastery and mountain refuge.

The summit of the Grand Colombier, offering a 360° view of the Alps, Mont Blanc, the lakes of Bourget, Annecy and Léman, the Rhône, Lyon and, on a clear day, as far as the Vercors.

Cycling ascent of the Grand Colombier: a legendary pass crossed several times in the Tour de France, classified as hors catégorie. Four different slopes. On summer Saturdays, the road from Culoz is reserved for cyclists.

Col de la Biche (1,310 m): a pass accessible from Arvière-en-Valromey, the starting point for reaching the Grand Colombier cross via the ridges. A circular loop of ~7 km from the car park.

The road from Culoz to the Grand Colombier: a spectacular drive up the mountain: hairpin bends above the Bugey vineyards, sweeping views over the Rhône valley at every bend.

Marais de Lavours Nature Reserve: one of the last great marshes in Western Europe (474 ha), formed 12,000 years ago. A 1.2 km boardwalk with information panels and observation points.

Montvéran Castle: a 14th-century fortress on the lower slopes of the Grand Colombier, in Culoz. The composer Sergei Prokofiev stayed there between 1928 and 1929.