The circular of the Platières

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.

Details

8152907
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 274 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 269 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,424 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,226 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Domaine-Nordique de Sur-Lyand / Grand Colombier.

(S/E) Head towards the rental area. At the Sur-Lyand signpost (auberge), take the small uphill path (towards Au Virieux Martin).

(1) A few metres further on, after the small climb, at the crossroads (Au Virieux Martin), take the wide path on the left (towards Les Platières) via Combe Giret.
Stay on the forest path and continue to the Les Platières fork.

(2) Turn right towards Sous Charbemènes until you reach another fork at Sous Charbemènes.

(3) Take the uphill path on the right towards Col de Charbemènes.
This path, dotted with low walls, quickly disappears, so continue straight ahead uphill through the mountain pastures until you reach the fence.

(4) At the pass, turn right onto the path running alongside the barbed wire towards La Griffe du Diable.
Continue straight ahead at the various intersections towards Grange d'en Haut.

(5) After crossing all the ridges, you will arrive at La Griffe du Diable. Continue straight ahead and join the Crêtes de Sur-Lyand until you reach the water reservoir on the right.

(6) Then turn right towards Sur-Lyand (plateau).
At the bottom of the small descent, at the cattle sorting gate, turn left onto the large plain towards Croix Famban. You will arrive at Sur-Lyand (plateau).

(7) Turn right down the slope towards Virieux Martin.
At the bottom of the descent, turn left onto the path leading into the forest.
After a few minutes' walk, pass to the left of the shepherd's house and, at the road, turn right and take the dirt track towards the Nordic centre.

(1) At Virieux Martin, continue straight on to Sur-Lyand (inn) (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,226 m - Sur-Lyand cross-country skiing centre
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 1,242 m - At Virieux Martin
  3. 2 : km 2.97 - alt. 1,229 m - Les Platières
  4. 3 : km 4.66 - alt. 1,283 m - Under Charbemènes
  5. 4 : km 5.05 - alt. 1,319 m - Col de Chabemènes (1316m)
  6. 5 : km 5.74 - alt. 1,365 m - Ridges. Towards Griffe du Diable
  7. 6 : km 7.21 - alt. 1,367 m - Devil's claw
  8. 7 : km 8.6 - alt. 1,313 m - Sur-Lyand plateau
  9. S/E : km 9.6 - alt. 1,226 m - Sur-Lyand cross-country skiing centre

Notes

Follow the signs for the Ain department (yellow logo on a beige background).
(S/E) Here you will find:
- a large car park with around 100 spaces,
- Dry toilets,
- a restaurant at the Belvédère de Sur-Lyand.
Please note: this route crosses mountain pastures, so it is necessary to follow certain guidelines:
- close gates behind you so that animals cannot escape,
- Observe the signs and regulations in force.
- keep your dog on a leash,
- If you encounter herds, keep a safe distance.
- Take your rubbish with you to keep the area clean.
- Respect facilities: fences, water points, alpine chalets.

Worth a visit

Viewpoints overlooking the three alpine lakes, Mont Blanc and the Alps await you.
(4) A junction to the Croix du Grand Colombier is possible at the Col de Charbemènes, take the climb on the left (2 hours round trip). This section is quite winding, so be careful.
(7) From Sur-Lyand (Plateau), you can extend the circular by completing the Croix Famban circular. To do this, head towards Le Frêney, then Grange Neuve, after the car park (northern domain) and finally Sur-Lyand (Auberge).

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Hervebu
Hervebu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk with nice views of the Alps.

Machine-translated

PORTAY M-Ange
PORTAY M-Ange

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike on 9 September 2024
Varied landscape with woods and meadows, very pleasant paths with occasional stone steps and magnificent trees.
Magnificent ridges.
Picnic at the Croix de Famban.
Hike accessible to all and ideal for families.
Thank you, VISORANDO.

Machine-translated

Pi et jo
Pi et jo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with magnificent views of the Mont Blanc range. Full of flowers, a very beautiful day.

Machine-translated

SE VE RI NE
SE VE RI NE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike offering splendid views of the Alps.

Machine-translated

randonneur_beta
randonneur_beta

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy, uncrowded hike which, around point 2, offers a beautiful view of Mont Blanc.
Please note: between points 4 and 6, the route is shared with another route, so there is a risk of encountering or following other hikers.

Machine-translated

jmgallot
jmgallot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting hike due to the wildlife on the mountain pastures up to point 3, followed by beautiful views from the ridge path.

Machine-translated

Robert38090
Robert38090

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Up to point 3, you walk along a cross-country ski trail. From point 3 onwards, you leave the cross-country ski trail and follow a ridge path.
Splendid views, but as it is a ridge path, you need to be well shod and walking sticks are recommended.
The trail is useful.
We were there the week of 15 August... it was hot... the café/restaurant/refuge at the finish was closed...

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.