From Le Crozet to Le Colomby de Gex (circular)

Updated by the author on 31/03/2025:

• minor adjustments to the route,
• correction to the description in the paragraph on point (15)

Start from the car park of the Fierney cable car, overlooking Crozet.

(S/E) Head north-east, follow the road for about 400 m, passing under the cable car.

(1) Turn left onto a path (towards the Fierney Cable Car Summit), then shortly afterwards turn right onto a track (not shown on IGN maps) leading to a lovely viewpoint

(2) Continue straight ahead, ignoring a path coming from the right a short distance further on

(3) A few dozen metres further on, turn right at the next junction, following the sign for the "Sentier de Découverte" (note that the path opposite is the return route). Shortly afterwards, turn left, then ignore all other junctions.

(4) At this junction (not shown on IGN maps), continue straight ahead (from here you leave the "Sentier de Découverte" route). Follow the path for a short while until you reach a forest track at one of its bends.

(5) Follow it to the left, uphill, for about 600 m until you reach a path junction (not shown on IGN maps).

(6) Follow it to the left, heading uphill. The gradient is a little steeper but not excessive. After a short while, you’ll reach a forest road; follow it to the left until you reach a car park at the junction of three roads.

(7) Take a path on the right, heading uphill, and further up you will cross another path which you should ignore. You will reach the Route Forestière du Fouet.

(8) Follow it to the right for a good distance (about 1.8 km) until it ends.

(9) Continue straight on along a wide path. After a fork, carry on straight ahead, then follow a slightly steep path leading to a forest road.

(10) Turn left towards the Branveau mountain pasture, then, a few dozen metres further on, take a slightly steep path on the left. Further up, join the forest road and follow it to the left for about 500 m.

(11) Pass by the Chalet de Branveau and continue to the right, going round it, to reach the Col de Branveau.

(12) Turn left onto a path that is fairly visible at the start. Further up, the route runs above some steep slopes and you must remain vigilant.

(13) At the Pas de l’Échine, continue left along the path: from here, follow the red-and-white markings of the GR®9 to the Col du Crozet.

(14) After a climb, you reach the summit of Colomby de Gex: this is marked by a pylon and a memorial stone in memory of Fernand Fluckiger, who fell here in 1932. Continue straight on towards the Col du Crozet (GR® red-and-white markings). The route then involves a series of ascents and descents before joining a path after a fair distance: follow it to the left until you reach a fork, where you should also turn left. Then take a short detour to the right to reach a map post, before rejoining the route to reach the Col de Crozet.

(15) Continue along the path to the junction and carry on almost straight ahead until you reach the edge of the Nature Park.

(16) Take a path on the right, cross a forest track and continue straight ahead towards the Fierney buildings, which include, amongst others, the Yeti bar-restaurant.

(17) Just before the ski resort buildings, follow a path to the left to the Chalet du Fierney: walk past it on the right, then take a path that heads slightly downhill (new development not shown on IGN or OSM maps). Further down, join another path; follow it to the left until you reach the forest track: then follow this track to the left.

(18) Not far on, take a path on the right. Very soon, you’ll have two options, with the routes meeting further down; I recommend the left-hand route, which is slightly easier.

(19) Cross a forest track twice and continue along the path until you reach another forest track.

(20) Continue straight on along the path: the route follows a long descent leading to a fork that you passed on the way up.

(3) Continue straight on to the viewpoint.

(2) From here, there are two possible routes: take the left-hand fork, then return to the starting point (S/E).

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.

From the Chalet de Branveau (11), the path on the left leads to the Colomby de Gex (14): this route is preferable if the slopes below the Pas de l’Échine are snow-covered.

From Le Fierney (17), you can shorten the route by taking the cable car. Click here to find out more.

Please take your rubbish away with you; nature will thank you for it.

Below is a difficulty rating by section (a route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly easy route with no significant elevation changes or difficulties.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-marked route.
- Orange: routes presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route conditions (markings or visibility).
- Red: difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment presenting some hazards.

From (S/E) to (1): Green difficulty.
A very easy route along a road. There is a beautiful viewpoint at the start of the section.
No signposting.

From (1) to (3): Blue difficulty.
Follow an easy path, then a trail up steep slopes.
Yellow markings

From (3) to (4): Blue difficulty.
The route follows an easy path.
“Sentier de Découverte” signposts.

From (4) to (5): Green difficulty
It is an easy walk along a forest path with a gentle gradient.
Unmarked section.

From (4) to (5): Green difficulty
A forest track is followed with relative ease.
Unmarked section.

From (5) to (8): Blue difficulty
The route mainly follows a path on steeper slopes than before. No difficulties to be encountered.
Unmarked section.

From (8) to (9): Green difficulty
For about 1.8 km, you follow an easy forest track on a very gentle slope.
Unmarked section.

From (9) to (10): Blue difficulty
Follow a path with a moderate gradient, which becomes quite steep after a fork.
Unmarked section.

From (10) to (11): Blue difficulty
The route follows a track and a short section of path. The main difficulty is the fairly steep gradient in places.
Yellow markings.

From (11) to (12): Blue difficulty
In an alpine setting, you reach the Col de Branveau with ease.
Yellow markings

From (12) to (13): Orange difficulty
At the pass, a signpost indicates that the route is challenging.
You initially follow a faint track along the ridge, after which the route becomes much clearer on a generally pleasant path. Please note that some sections overhanging steep slopes are exposed.
This section should be tackled when there is no snow: snow can persist until May and the presence of large snowfields can make progress very difficult.
Unmarked section.

From (13) to (14): Blue difficulty
In a mountain pasture setting, follow a pleasant path that alternates between ascents and descents.
White-red^GR®®9markings.

From (14) to (17): Blue difficulty
The route runs around the Lelex-Crozet ski area and is relatively easy.
Unmarked section.

From (17) to (18): Blue difficulty
Follow a path to the Chalet du Fierney. From there, follow a recently created trail (note: route not shown on IGN or OSM maps).
Yellow markings

From (18) to (19): Blue difficulty
Follow the path; at the start of this section, you have a choice between two branches that join further down: the left-hand one is slightly less direct but a little easier. Overall, the route does not present any significant difficulties.
Yellow markings

From (19) to (20): Blue difficulty
You follow a path that runs mostly along moderate slopes.
Yellow markings.

From (20) to (3): Blue difficulty
The trail follows steeper slopes, though nothing excessive.
Yellow markings

From (3) to (1): Blue difficulty
Same route as on the outward journey. Once you reach the viewpoint, follow the path at the left-hand fork.
Yellow markings

From (1) to (S/E): Green difficulty.
A very easy section to walk back to the starting point.
Unmarked section.

In the Branveau area (between points (11) and (13)), you may spot a few chamois.
Articles on the Colomby de Gex: click here and here