Hotonnes walks

This is a very beautiful hike, featuring landscapes of pastures and beech and fir forests, along easy paths. Created in partnership with the Museum of Resistance and Deportation in Nantua, it passes by five farms where the maquis settled in 1943-1944, on the Retord plateau between the village of Hotonnes and the Plans d'Hotonnes resort. Five panels describe the history of this maquis.

Overlooking Valromey, the wide open spaces of the combes and ridges overlooking the Rhône are enchanting in all seasons, whether on foot or snowshoes. An easy circuit. Please note: this hike should only be undertaken outside the animal grazing period.

An easy hike that can be adapted to suit your pace, winding through valleys and pastures and offering superb views of the Alps when conditions are at their best.

A short, quick and very pleasant walk between two passes and along a ridge (Gigimont).

An easy loop along Retord Plateau taking you past the "Gouffre de la Bauche" sinkhole and the "Crêt du Nu" viewpoint.

The Retord Plateau is ideal for snowshoeing in wide open spaces with, in places and in good weather, panoramic views of the Alps and Mont Blanc. You can enjoy a snack in the picnic room at the Retord farm.

Starting from Les Bergonnes, a circular route with an ascent to the Crêt du Nû via the GR®9 to La Charnay. The first section is wooded with beautiful beech trees. At the Croix de Terments and the Crêt du Nû: climb up to the viewing points for views of the Rhône and the Alps. The second part of the ascent takes place on the plateau. You then reach the Ferme du Retord. After the farm, head back down via the yellow-marked path towards La Grange à Lucien. Continue the descent towards Pré Brachet, then Gros Frêne and Les Granges Charpy, before finally returning to Les Bergonnes.

A varied route with beautiful views of the Alps and karst formations characteristic of these limestone plateaus. Best done in winter when the barbed wire fences are removed. If there is enough snow, the route can be done on snowshoes without any problems.

A gentle walk on the Retord plateau.

This circular route straddling the Séran river is at a moderate altitude and therefore accessible in all seasons. It combines a forest trail with a more open environment, passing by some remarkable sites in Valromey: the Pont des Tines, the Étang des Alliettes, the Belvédère de Châteauneuf and the Puits des Tines.

This is a short circular loop on the eastern edge of the Bugey, which allows you to discover a curiosity: arches and a path carved into the rock at Écorche-Bœuf, then a few glimpses of the Alps as you descend from the Col de Richemont.

A walk to discover the highest point of Hauteville-Lompnes and its panoramic views.

This hike is based on the 4 belvederes walk. The route has been modified to take into account the opinions of hikers who have given their feedback. In particular, the trail is more precise and the parts considered less interesting have been removed. We are delighted with this new version, which is particularly suitable for hot days (tested during the heatwave of August 2025).The route is mostly through woods and on unpaved paths or tracks. It offers splendid panoramic views from various viewpoints as well as iconic sites: Trou de la Marmite, Notre-Dame de Mazières Chapel, etc. On a clear day, you will have the pleasure of admiring Mont Blanc.

Charcoal burners produced charcoal in the mountains by piling wood into heaps which were then set alight. Part of the wood was consumed as it burned, consuming oxygen, whilst the heat from the wood transformed the rest into charcoal. This process was carried out directly in the forest, as close as possible to the source of the wood. The forests of La Michaille, like many other French forests, supplied this charcoal, which was used until the mid-20th century for heating and cooking.

A circular loop starting from the Sur Lyand area, running along the heights between Valromey and the Rhône Valley, and taking in three ridges with splendid views of the Alps: the Griffe du Diable, the Croix du Grand Colombier, and then, after passing through Arvière, the Hergues.

Four viewpoints, of course, are located at the top of the mountains. Expect some steep climbs and significant elevation changes. Be careful, as you will be following mountain bike trails in the opposite direction on part of the route. The viewpoints are at the end: Planachat, Cornillon, l'Haïea d'Amont, and the highlight of the route, the orientation table at the top of the Hauteville Lompnès ski slopes. There, in good weather and with low UV levels, a magnificent view of the Mont Blanc massif awaits you.

Follow the route guide and the signposts placed along the trail. You’re now setting off to discover the forest’s points of interest.

This moderately difficult route will allow you to discover the forests, ridges and mountain pastures of the Sur-Lyand - Grand Colombier Nordic Domain in their summer colours. Throughout this hike, you will enjoy numerous panoramic views.

A summit and vistas in a site dominated by pastures.

At the southern end of the Jura mountain range. A scenic route from Sur Lyand to Grand Colombier and back via Les Crêtes.

The Grand Colombier, part of the Jura mountains but located in the department of Ain, was made popular by the Tour de France. This hike, starting from the Chalet d'Arvière, takes you along two parallel ridge paths and past the foot of the Grand Colombier. Magnificent views on all sides.

Open from 1 April to 30 November ( subject to there being no snow). The final and sixth stage of the six-day “Grande Traversée du Jura à pied: from La Borne au Lion to Culoz” trek. The GTJ links Mandeure (Doubs) to Culoz (Ain) in 15 to 20 days, crossing the Jura Mountains and the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park. The route suggested here corresponds to the second half of the itinerary.

To complete the hike (Le Grand Colombier from the lodge d'Arvière n°1241202), you can extend it from the pass by returning via the Griffe du Diable and Grange d'en Bas ridges. This trail is less frequented than the one leading to the cross and then to Le Grand Colombier itself, offering you more distant views. Best done in good weather without snow, this trail seems less suitable for snowshoes.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to snow conditions. The section from the Chalet d’Arvière to Pont de La Loi is the sixth stage of the six-day walking tour “La GTJ from Mijoux”. The GR®9 enters the Ain department via Mijoux, before following the spectacular ridges of the Monts-Jura, passing through the Crêt de la Neige, the highest point of the massif. It then descends towards Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, crosses the Retord plateau and then crosses the Grand Colombier. The trail continues its route to Culoz and the Rhône Valley, before leaving the Ain to reach Savoie and continuing southwards.

Hike from the Chalet d'Arvières with a gradual, shaded climb to the Col de Charbemènes. Then follow the marked trail, which will take you to the Grand Colombier at 1,525 m in about an hour. You will then have a magnificent view of the Alps, Mont Blanc, Lac du Bourget, the Rhône, and more.

A short walk around the Marais de Vaux lake and its wetlands with the opportunity to admire the Charabotte waterfall.

This is a large circular that allows you to discover the different environments of the Bugiste region. Part of it is dedicated to the Lésines lake and the Marais de Vaux marsh, which can be crossed thanks to the facilities provided. The main part runs along the ridges above Cormaranche, with the climb to Golet Marmier and Planachat, the crossing from Col de la Clye to Col de la Rochette via Gigimont, then the climb to Haiea d'Amont and Cornillon. The descent passes through Notre-Dame de Mazières and Trou de la Marmite.

Open from 1 April to 30 November ( subject to there being no snow). Fifth stage of the Grande Traversée du Jura walking route: from La Borne au Lion to Culoz, in 6 days. The GTJ links Mandeure (Doubs) to Culoz (Ain) in 15 to 20 days, crossing the Jura Mountains and the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park. The route suggested here covers the second half of the itinerary.

The section from La Charnay to Chalet d’Arvière is the fifth stage of the six-day walking tour “La GTJ from Mijoux”. The GR®9 enters the Ain department via Mijoux, before following the spectacular ridges of the Monts-Jura, passing through the Crêt de la Neige, the highest point of the range. It then descends towards Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, crosses the Retord plateau and climbs the Grand Colombier. The trail continues its route to Culoz and the Rhône Valley, before leaving the Ain to reach Savoie and continuing southwards. Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations: dogs are prohibited, even when kept on a lead, as is camping in tents. Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Second stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. Starting from the Ferme de Retord, the route crosses the open and wooded landscapes of the plateau before beginning the descent towards Lalleyriat, with a viewpoint overlooking the Autoroute des Titans. In Saint-Germain-de-Joux, a detour is a must to discover the impressive Marmites de Géant, carved out by the Semine. The stage ends on the northern slope, in Giron.

This is a fairly strenuous hike, but without any major difficulties. The climb is very steady, with no respite. From the Grand Colombier, there are beautiful 360° views.

This little-used route offers an original approach to the Grand Colombier, with a rocky final ascent that adds a bit of spice to the hike! Nevertheless, it is manageable for the average hiker. The Chanduraz promontory, overlooking Lake Bourget, is well worth the effort... Not to mention the view from the Granges du Colombier.