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Update by the author on 29/10/2024: correction to the description of point (16).
The starting point is in Béon, at a small car park overlooking the Chemin de Chanduraz.
NB: please note the addition of an alternative route: see below under ‘Practical Information’.
(S/E) From the car park, head towards the Chemin de Chanduraz and continue along its right-hand side. Continue along a slightly uphill, motorable dirt track until you reach the junction of the circular route.
(1) Leave the forest track by continuing straight on towards La Roche Percée.
You’ll soon come to another fork in the path.
(2) Take the path on the right towards La Roche Percée (yellow markings), where the gradient steepens considerably through woodland (the yellow markings are discreet). You’ll reach La Roche Percée. This rather unusual spot is a natural arch in a rock face that only comes into view at the very last moment.
(3) In a wooded area, continue along the path as it climbs, with some fairly steep sections (one section is even secured by a short ladder). You’ll come to another fork at a place called “Cote 672”.
(4) Head straight on towards Champ Duraz (the path on the right leads to Romagneux). The path continues to climb quite steeply and steadily. After a good walk, the gradient levels off just before you reach a plateau and a fork in the path (a place called Planapose).
(5) Head straight on towards Chanduraz and Izéna. Quite soon, turn right at the next fork (towards Izéna) and you’ll reach Les Granges d’Izéna.
(6) Continue straight on towards Chanduraz and the Col du Grand Colombier. The main path, with a gentle gradient, leads to another plateau and a fork in the path.
(7) Take the right-hand fork towards Chanduraz (10 mins according to the sign). Shortly after a triangulation point, the Pierre de Chanduraz comes into view.
(8) From here, you can enjoy a beautiful view (including a view of Lac du Bourget). Please note: access to the rock is blocked by a gap and is relatively tricky. A path on the left (sloping down slightly) leads to the foot of the rock, where a short climb on the left is then required (take care if you attempt this).
Retrace your steps to the fork in the path you passed earlier (do not take the left-hand path here).
(7) Continue straight on towards the Col du Grand Colombier.
(9) Head right towards Fivole uphill, then continue left, following the signposts. After a short descent, keep right at a new signpost (do not go all the way down to the bottom of the valley). Follow a moderately visible path level for a while, then down a slope to the left (following the yellow markings) towards a gate. After a descent through woodland, you’ll pass by a spring: take a well-defined path leading downhill and you’ll reach a junction (called Montoux).
(10) Turn right towards the Col du Grand Colombier along a well-maintained, ascending path and reach the D120 at a sharp bend.
(11) Continue along the D120 to the left, heading downhill. A little further on, take a path on the right (towards the Col du Grand Colombier): this path runs parallel to the road before joining it a little further up. Continue along the road uphill: at a junction, head straight on towards some buildings (leaving the road as you do so).
(12) These buildings are known as the Granges du Colombier. Carry on straight for 100 m, then turn right towards the Col de Charbemènes.
(13) On a clear day, you can enjoy a view of the Mont Blanc massif.
Head right-hand side all the way towards the Croix du Colombier via theGR®®9: the path climbs quite steeply in places before reaching the clearly visible cross a little further up.
(14) There are some lovely views to be had.
Continue along the path towards the Col du Grand Colombier, which isn’t far away: this spot is well known to many cyclists.
(15) Cross the road towards the summit of the Grand Colombier, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®®9.
(16) The Grand Colombier (elevation 1,534) is thefirst summit you reach (a relatively unremarkable spot that isn’t particularly highlighted). Shortly afterwards, you’ll reach asecond summit marked by a geodetic benchmark. Continue along the ridge; take care on some slightly tricky sections.
After a short stretch through the forest, the path runs parallel to the road before joining it at La Pierre Amion (red and white markingsof the GR®9).
Carry on along the D120, straight on towards Culoz, until you reach the Virage de la Frappe.
(17) Head almost straight on as you leave the road (towards Culoz). Continue along the route, crossing numerous meadows for a short while. Once you reach the woodland, the path descends towards Pré Sauvage.
(18) Just after reaching La Cornalle: turn right towards Culoz on theGR®®. The path joins the end of a road at a place called Le Fenestré (a lovely viewpoint).
(19) Carry on towards Culoz and follow the path downhill for quite a while, with a few hairpin bends (and a relatively gentle gradient). You’ll reach a multi-way junction at Romagneux.
(20) Turn right towards Béon via the middle path (when I was there, some signs were lying on the ground). Go straight ahead across the meadow, avoiding the path climbing up to the right. You’ll reach the forest fairly quickly: continue along the downhill path whilst following the signs for Béon: please note that the IGN map is inaccurate in some sections and the signposting is almost non-existent (take care to stay on course at certain points). Join a forest track and stay on it for a short while. You’ll reach the junction of the circular loop that you passed on the way out.
(1) Keep entirely to the left as you head downhill and return to the (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Easy 
