Les Contamines – Roselend

Park in the car park at Notre Dame de la Gorge.

(S) It’s easy to follow the^GR®5signposting – shared with the^GR® Tour du Mont Blanc route (white and red) – towards the Col du Bonhomme. Enjoy the passage at the ‘Reine des Cieux’ and admire the impressive gorge in rainy weather from the ‘Roman bridge’, which dates from the 18th century, as well as the cows of the Beaufortain.
After an easy walk, you’ll reach the Pont de Nant Borrand.

(1) Stay on the^GR® to reach the hamlet of La Balme at an altitude of around 1,700 metres.

(2) Further on, you’ll cross the^GRP® ‘Tour du Beaufortain’ trail coming from the Col de la Fenêtre and begin an easy climb to reach the Col du Bonhomme.

(3) Continue along the^GR® on an almost flat path to reach the Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme.

(4) Turn right onto the Crête des Gittes (^GR®5) via the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme a little further down. Reach the Col de la Sauce.

(5) Begin a steep descent to rejoin the D925 at the Refuge de Plan de la Lai.

(6) Turn right onto the Rd925, passing the Plan de Lai and Plan Mya lodges, and follow it to the Col de Méraillet above Lake Roselend for the evening’s stop at the Hôtel Chalets de Roselend, with superb views over the lake (E).

It’s a long day’s walk with no particular danger or difficulty, but the changes in the landscape are striking. The Crête des Gittes is a real highlight – just a touch of vertigo to add to the fun, and what views!