Croix des Moines, Mont Charvet, Mont Luisandre and Allymes from Torcieu

Reach the village of Torcieu from the D 1504 running through the Cluse des Hôpitaux, on the Ambérieu-en-Bugey side. Park either in the centre on the Grande Rue (limited parking spaces) or at the northern entrance to the village, near the picnic area where an information board is located (route map).

(S/E) From the Grande Rue, head up towards the hillside (west) either via the Chemin des Plantées (described for the ascent) or via the Chemin de la Rochette (described for the descent) if starting from the centre.

Head towards a metal cross and a local signpost (start of the markings) in an area of old “grangeons” on a hillside that was once covered in vineyards.

(1) Turn right (red markings) then left immediately afterwards to begin the climb to the Rochers des Moines via a steep forest path.

The path runs alongside the first rocks, then, directly beneath the Cross, you have a choice: either stay on the path along the slope, which more easily skirts the rocky ridge from below (west-facing slope), or take a narrow track straight up the slope that climbs to the platform at the foot of the Croix des Moines (GPS track route). You’ll need to use your hands a little.

(2) It is possible to climb up to the Cross via a short, exposed climbing section; a rope helps you haul yourself up.
From the platform, take a path that follows the ridge, with alternative routes skirting round below on the left or others that follow the rocky ridge as closely as possible – a more enjoyable but also more exposed route as the eastern slope is a cliff.

Gradually, the ridge walk levels out and the path descends into the forest to pass a pass, then climbs straight up the north-western slope to the junction area near Prés Charvet.

(3) Once you reach the ridge line, head north for a few metres then climb a steep slope to the right (north-east direction – blue markings) to a pass at the foot of the 729-metre summit. The path then descends slightly whilst following the steep edge of the Grande Côte overlooking the Albarine valley.

At the end of this ledge, the path turns sharply left (north) to reach Les Massoges

(4) At the first junction, let the blue-marked path descend to the right and turn left (yellow markings) onto level ground, then immediately right (north) to climb a straight forest track that cuts through the clearing of a high-voltage power line and leads to the summit of Mont Charvet.

(5) Continue northwards along the track, which descends slightly, running straight before taking a few bends. At a complex junction at around 670 m, turn right (north-east) onto a straight track through a coniferous wood. Cross the Bois de la Goutte in this way to descend to a road at a pass at 649 m between Angrières and Brèdevant.

(6) Head up the good path opposite (due east) which climbs through the forest to a small pass. Ignore the marked path on the right that descends and continue climbing due north along the Gantelière ridge. After crossing the summit, find a track branching off to the right (east) down the slope to join a forest track further down.

(Note: in the winter of 2019–2020, a large-scale logging operation blocked this descent route: you would then have had to go round the logging area to the north, off the path, to return to its base and rejoin the normal route).

The forest track runs along the foot of Mont Clézieu and descends gently northwards to the junction with a forest road at an altitude of 738m.

(7) Take this track on the left and immediately turn right onto a steep, eroded path that climbs northwards straight up the slope to Mont Luisandre.

(8) After visiting the site, continue north along a 4x4 track which turns left into the forest to descend towards Brèdevant. Cross a forest road to take a path on the left leading directly to the hamlet (named Brèdevant on IGN maps, also known locally as Brey-de-Vent).

Cross it and head up a small road opposite (marked^GR® 59) leading to the Château des Allymes, which is currently being renovated.

(9) Retrace your steps to rejoin the^GR® 59, which descends the southern slope of the château, crosses a road (elevation 524m) and leads down to the hamlet of Les Allymes.

(10) Head back up the road into the village and take the farm track opposite, still signposted^GR® 59, heading south: it climbs initially then remains level in the Combe à Sadet before descending slightly to join a well-graveled forest track. Continue along this track southwards for 200 m.

(11) At a junction, leave the^GR® to the right and turn left, following the long forest track of the Bois d'Ambérieu until it crosses the high-voltage power line beneath Mont Charvet.

(12) Turn right under the power line onto the forest track that climbs back up into the woods before descending slightly and crossing steeper wooded slopes to return to the junction near the Prés Charvet.

(3) From the junction, head south-west along a path (blue markings) crossing what remains of the Prés Charvet and staying on the ridge line until its end.

(13) Suddenly, the path drops along a sometimes rocky, very steep ridge: there are no technical difficulties or particularly exposed sections, but you must hold on tight to the box trees on this descent which, after passing near a cave, leads out onto the Petit Pré: the difficult part is over.

(14) From this small meadow overlooking Torcieu and the valley, head eastwards on more or less level ground: the path leads to the barns of La Vie Blanche. Continue straight on along an unpaved but now passable road, to the group of houses passed on the ascent.

(1) Head back down to the village either via the Chemin de la Rochette or the Chemin des Plantées (described on the way up) and return to the car park where you started (S/E).

This long circular loop features two difficult sections: the route along the Les Moines ridges (around (2)) and the descent from the ridge between (13) and (14), which justifies the ‘Difficult’ rating and means it is recommended only in relatively dry weather.
The rest of the route is less rugged and simply requires a bit of care regarding direction at times (between (6) and (7)).

There are a few fountains in the hamlets you pass through.

The signposting varies greatly: on the slope above Torcieu, it is clear: the climb via Les Moines is marked in red, the descent via Les Prés Charvet in blue.
Beyond that, it’s sometimes all mixed up (between (3) and (4)), yellow from (4) to after (5) then from (7) to (9),^GR® signposted from Brèdevant to (11), plus specific signposting for the 4-castle route between (8) and (10).

This circular loop can be shortened: Visorando therefore includes two shorter routes described in the opposite direction (personally, I prefer to climb up via Les Moines and descend via the opposite ridge, which is steeper but less exposed).

The Rochers des Moines ridge offers beautiful rock formations and a rather fun climbing opportunity (a rope may be useful for children).

As most of the route is through woodland, the views are limited: consequently, you cannot see the summit of Mont Charvet or La Gantelière.
The views are clearer from the Croix des Moines, and to some extent from the edge of the Massoges or the Rocher de la Cha and Petit Pré areas. They are extensive (Bugey, Mont Blanc, Bresse) from Mont Luisandre and to a lesser extent from the Château des Allymes.

The historic sites of Mont Luisandre and Château des Allymes are currently being excavated or restored: information boards on site explain their history, linked to the conflicts between the House of Savoy and the Dauphin.