Head to the Sur Lyand cross country ski resort on the D123 from the village of Gignez in the municipality of Corbonod in the department of Ain near Seyssel, on Route du Col de la Biche.
Park in the main car park of the cross country skiing centre (S), then walk back up the road and you will already find yourself in pastures that are delineated on the road by cattle grids heading towards Col de la Biche as far as the cross of Famban (1) 1316 m.
Then head due south following a farming track through the large pasture, using a small peak in the distance as a bearing.
After crossing the pasture and passing barriers and fences, reach a ridge trail (2) that is well marked and signposted; follow it up to Col de Charbemènes at 1,317 m (3) at a junction of the trails.
From the pass follow the marked trail that leads you to the Grand Colombier cross in about 40 minutes (4) at 1,525 m.
Orientation table and views over Lake Bourget, Lake Annecy, the Rhône, the Gorges du Fier...
Back to Charbemènes Pass (3) by the same route.
Arrive at the pass and head to the right in the pasture where the route will gradually move north into the woods and lead to a further pasture at Les Platières; continue to follow the directions and signs to “Sur Lyand".
Head left (5), the track will head north again and cross the Combe Giret (6) before reaching the path near the start.
Grand Colombier cross
A summit and vistas in a site dominated by pastures.
Technical sheet
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 12.89 km -
Average duration: 5h 00 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 474 m -
Vertical drop: - 466 m -
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Highest point: 1,524 m -
Lowest point: 1,226 m
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Country:
France
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Area: Jura mountains -
District:
Corbonod (01420) -
Start/End: N 45.950989° / E 5.776214° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 3331OT -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,226 m - Cross-country skiing foyer car park
- 1 : km 1.27 - alt. 1,316 m - Famban Cross
- 2 : km 3.34 - alt. 1,404 m - Crête trail
- 3 : km 5.19 - alt. 1,319 m - Col de Chabemènes (1316m)
- 4 : km 6.58 - alt. 1,524 m - Col du Grand Colombier
- 5 : km 9.95 - alt. 1,229 m - Les Plattières
- 6 : km 12 - alt. 1,247 m - Combe Giret
- S/E : km 12.89 - alt. 1,226 m - Car park
Practical information
Light equipment is sufficient for this walk, but do still bring good shoes.
In the nearby area
Bar and inn also open in the summer at the start point.
Reviews and comments
4.5 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.7 / 5
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A very pleasant hike with superb scenery and no particular difficulties (there is a short steep section towards the end, but it's just enough to earn your snack). I continued on to the Grand Colombier itself, which only takes an extra quarter of an hour and offers a slightly different view from the cross. I came back down via the barns, which is much more comfortable than going back down the same way you came up.
The summit, which is very easily accessible from the road that passes through the pass, is therefore very busy, but I encountered very few people along the entire route. It should be noted that it is almost always sunny, so it is best to start the hike before the hottest hours of the day and avoid periods of heatwave.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Superb view from the Grand Colombier cross. The cloudy sun must have discouraged hikers, as we weren't alone at the summit, but it wasn't crowded.
the last climb was quite steep but easily manageable.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
A beautiful route, different from the one starting from Fenestrez, with lots of flowers at this time of year. It's a shame the sky wasn't clear, but the view was still beautiful with all the daffodils!
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
There were few people on the walk despite the Ascension 'bridge', but the Grand Colombier car park was packed and, as a result, the Grand Colombier ridge was very busy. We confirmed the steepness of the final slope to reach the Grand Colombier cross and, despite the hot, dry weather, we made our way back down via the road and path to the Col de Charbemène; our old knees thanked us...
MAGNIFICENT PANORAMA FROM THE CRETES.
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Nov 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
A very pleasant walk with breathtaking views.
The signs are fairly consistent, although it's harder to get your bearings in the mountain pastures. It's a steady climb at first, then the final ascent to the cross is very steep, lasting around 20 minutes. I strongly advise against it in wet or snowy weather as it's very slippery coming down from the cross.
The return journey is a bit monotonous when you leave the forest to join the ski and snowshoe trails. You can't see the end of it.
Otherwise, it's very easy to park.
It took us 4 hours and 40 minutes, not including the time for a snack.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Steep, slippery section before the summit in the forest on rocks. Be careful on rainy days!
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
For me, easy to difficult sections: very steep final section.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
A beautiful hike with a good stretch just before arriving at the Grand Colombier cross, but the effort is rewarded by a superb 360' viewpoint.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Very nice hike with a magnificent view of the Alps. A little steep and slippery at the end of the climb to the Grand Colombier.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
Hiking with magnificent views of the mountain ranges
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Done with 4 children (5, 6, 9 and 11 years old) in 4 hours
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Dec 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
Hello,
We didn't quite follow the description of the trail given by Visorando. It was a good description.
We took side roads. Not a cat on this walk.
Beautiful scenery.
I recommend this hike.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
From the Col de Charbemenes, the climb to La Croix du Grand Colombier is very steep and rocky;
On the way back to the pass, a less risky alternative is to pass through the Grand Colombier barns and take the forest track that leads off to the right after the barns (signposted and marked).
The passage through Les Granges is via the road below the pass.
A very pleasant walk with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
We came back via the colombier barns, as recommended by a hiker, which saved us the slightly slippery descent.
It's a good alternative;
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jan 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Very good circuit, beautiful panorama, lots of people...but the space is very vast...
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