Brame-Farine ridges

To reach the village of Saint-Maximin, take the D9 from the south-west bypass of Pontcharra. At the stone cross, turn right towards Avalon and park at the picnic area by a small pond (partially covered with vegetation).

(S/E) Leaving the car park, turn right and walk along the pond bordered by a wooden fence (on your right).

(1) At the end of the pond, take the path on the left (signposted "Sainte Catherine") and join Chemin de la Scierie (paved road), which you should follow to the right.

(2) At the hairpin bend (on the left), continue straight ahead on the dirt track, still following the signs for "Sainte Catherine". The track leads to Route du Vieux Saint-Maximin. Follow this road to the right until you reach the hamlet. Cross the hamlet, staying on the main road and ignoring the roads that branch off to the right.

(3) At the end of the road, at a fork, take Chemin du Cousson on the right and continue towards Sainte-Catherine (signposted). You will arrive at a farmyard. Continue straight ahead on the dirt track that passes behind a large shed. Stay on this track (regular yellow markings) until you reach a fork.

(4) At the "Champ Lemier" sign, turn left and begin the climb to Sainte-Catherine.

(5) Turn left towards Col du Goulet towards a large timber storage area. Cross this area and, at the exit, take the path that climbs slightly to the right (yellow cross on a tree on the track that continues straight ahead). Continue to Les Lanches.

(6) Continue straight ahead (sign above on the embankment opposite) and follow the yellow markings to Col du Goulet (sign).

(7) At the pass, continue to the right for about 700 m until you reach a wide open area with a beautiful view of the Allevard massif and the town of Allevard-les-Bains at its foot.

(8) After a break to enjoy the view, return along the same route to the intersection at the end of the pond.

(1) Turn left and climb up to the Tour d'Avalon, which offers a beautiful view of the village of Saint-Maximin and the surrounding area.

(9) Descend through the narrow streets of the hamlet of Avalon and, at number 465, continue straight ahead on a dirt track. Cross a small street and continue straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

There is no water along the route.
The entire route is marked by numerous fairly recent yellow lines and signposts at intersections.
All the paths in the undergrowth are sunken lanes and therefore act as gullies when it rains. They may therefore be wet, muddy and slippery (especially on the way down!).
The slope is sustained, even steep, and continues between the points (3) and (8) with only a short respite at Sainte-Catherine.
Fallen trees may be lying across the path. In some cases, you will have to improvise to get past the obstacle.
At point (7) (Col du Goulet), you can make a round trip to the radio tower (highest point), but there is no view.

You can climb to the top of the Avalon Tower, but only in summer.
A little further down is the Château du Chevalier Bayard, known as "The Knight without Fear and without Reproach"!