Chanduraz and La Roche Percée from Béon

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This is a challenging route that will take you to Chanduraz, a remarkable viewpoint over Lake Bourget, the Rhône and the entire panorama around Culoz, passing through La Roche Percée. However, you will have to tackle a climb of over 1,000 metres, which is as difficult going up as it is coming down, to earn it.

Details

n°3428125
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,027 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,034 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,310 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 291 m
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Photos

Chanduraz and its panorama under the clouds.
Ruins and cows
View of Chanduraz
The climb to Roche Percée

Description of the walk

You can reach the car park from the main street in Béon (Route de Bourgogne) by going up Rue de la Charrière. At the end of the street, follow the signs to the car park.

(S/E) From the car park, take the street you came in on, pass the pottery and turn right onto the Chanduraz path heading north-east.

(1) At the hairpin bend, leave the path and take the trail on your left towards Talissieu. At the junction 80 metres further on, take the path up on your right towards La Roche Percée. The slope is steep, and just before La Roche Percée, a rope will help you up.

(2) Pass under the arch and continue along the path, which is circular and goes to the right. Climb a small wall equipped with a ladder and then a chain.

(3) At the crossroads (altitude 672 m), continue straight on towards Planapose (sign). After a long straight climb, the path curves eastwards before returning westwards to Planapose. Chanduraz is visible to the south-east at the top of the climb.

(4) At the crossroads, continue to your right towards Chanduraz (signposted). Do the same at the next crossroads.

(5) At Les Granges d'Izena, continue along the forest path, which makes a hairpin bend 200 metres further on. After a long straight stretch, the path turns left. 50 metres further on, take the barely visible path on the right and after about 20 metres you will reach another path.

(6) This path takes you right and south to Chanduraz.

(7) Retrace your steps.

(6) Continue straight ahead and cross the meadow. The trail is not very visible. The path goes around the small grassy hill on the left. Pass in front of the ruins and you will see the signpost at the end of the path.

(8) At the sign, turn right towards Béon. The path is not marked in the meadow. Head into the hollow of the valley until you reach the edge of the woods, where the path becomes clearly visible. Continue downhill through the large woods until you reach a forest track.

(9) Turn right. Cross the hamlet of Les Perches.

(10) Keep left and continue along the winding forest track to Chamandon.

(11) At the crossroads, stay on the main path, which makes a sharp right turn. Ignore the side paths and rejoin the path you took on the way up.

(1) Take it on the left on the descent to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 300 m - Béon car park
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 358 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.35 - alt. 527 m - Roche Percée
  4. 3 : km 1.76 - alt. 642 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 3.27 - alt. 1,103 m - Planapose. Head towards Chanduraz on the right.
  6. 5 : km 3.66 - alt. 1,107 m - Granges d'Izena
  7. 6 : km 4.73 - alt. 1,278 m - Chanduraz Trail
  8. 7 : km 5.01 - alt. 1,249 m - Chanduraz
  9. 8 : km 5.93 - alt. 1,306 m - Directional sign
  10. 9 : km 7.58 - alt. 763 m - Forest path on the right
  11. 10 : km 8.73 - alt. 694 m - Junction
  12. 11 : km 10.31 - alt. 509 m - Crossroads
  13. S/E : km 12.24 - alt. 299 m - Béon car park

Notes

You will find no trace of civilisation along the route apart from the Izéna barn, and no water sources.
The trail is difficult, steep, sometimes very rocky, sometimes very slippery. You may need to use your hands at times. On the descent, the undergrowth is beautiful with tall trees, but the ground is very slippery in wet weather. In short, make sure you are well equipped: shoes, walking sticks, etc.

Worth a visit

La Roche Percée alone is worth a look. It's a bit magical to pass under this arch, which is impossible to photograph in its entirety.

Chanduraz is worth the effort, as it offers an excellent panoramic view of the Rhône Valley and Lake Bourget, Aix-les-Bains, and the Isère on the other side. Be careful, however, as the site is dangerous because it is a promontory surrounded by high cliffs. Those who are afraid of heights should not venture to the tip of Chanduraz.

It is possible to visit the Biollet de Béon pottery by appointment.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Victor Dulac
Victor Dulac

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

To be done in good weather, beautiful view at Chanduraz. However, the start of the descent is very poorly signposted.

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pascal gritti
pascal gritti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with significant elevation gain. ---superb view at the top

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jlbrun
jlbrun

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The ascent and descent are not particularly interesting except from a sporting point of view... very sporting indeed (especially the descent, which is very steep throughout and on unstable rocks), but it's worth the effort to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from the summit plateaus, with some nice extensions possible.

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Mbar2
Mbar2

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A steep, long and monotonous climb (two hours of continuous climbing to reach Planapose) with no views as it is in the forest.
Even the rock formation would benefit from being cleared of all the undergrowth that covers it.
This walk is tedious because the starting point is very low (280m).
The view of Lac du Bourget is certainly interesting because it is unusual, but ultimately average because it is not possible to reach the end of Chanduraz (due to a fault blocking the way to the final peak).
It is probably better to take a hike up to Grand Colombier from a car park starting higher up.
In short, there are 10 times better walks around Lac du Bourget (for example, "Chambotte from Brison", the famous Dent du Chat, Mont Grêle, etc.).

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marc jeanson
marc jeanson

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Almost 6 km of climbing with gradients between 15 and 30%. Personally, I would classify it as "very difficult". The path climbs in places along the riverbed, so it is best to avoid wet weather in the days leading up to your hike.
Superb views of the autumn colours!

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Patricia Squillace
Patricia Squillace
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The times indicated on the signs are not reliable, especially on the way back to Béon. Overall, a beautiful walk, quite secluded in places.

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aekpc
aekpc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Perhaps the circular route is missing to pass close to the structure that can be seen on the ridge and return via En Davoyard. A little longer and a little more elevation gain, but more enjoyable.

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