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Update by the author on 06/07/2025:
- The route of a section has been altered after the Grand Montrond (12) to join directly onto the Chemin de la Vie de Chaux (13) (formerly (15)) for the following reasons:
- 'The Alpage du Crozat is not accessible from 1 June to 30 September to ensure the peace and quiet of the flocks of sheep and the patous.
- The GR®9 route has been permanently altered as a result of this issue, with a complete overhaul of the red-and-white markings and signposts.
- The description of this walk has been updated following the change to the route,
- In addition:
- a few minor adjustments to the route have been made in other sections,
- the point (3) has been moved slightly.
The walk starts from the Pailly car park, situated just under 2 km from the Col de la Faucille, at a hairpin bend on the RD1005 (on the right) heading towards Gex and Geneva.
(S/E) Take the small road which slopes gently downwards (the summit of the Colomby de Gex is signposted as a 2½-hour walk).
(1) At the left-hand bend, turn right (there is very little elevation gain) to reach the Chalet de la Quible
(2) Continue straight on towards Les Platières; shortly afterwards, the track turns into a footpath, then joins a road suitable for vehicles.
(3) Turn right, and after a short while, you’ll approach the Chalet des Platières: continue to the right along the footpath to reach the chalet.
(4) Continue along the path to the left behind the chalet: the route is initially fairly level, then slopes downwards until it joins a track. Carry on straight ahead and, after a short walk (with little change in elevation), you’ll come to a fork (signposted ‘Chemin Neuf’): turn right towards the Colomby de Gex.
(5) In a wooded area, turn sharply right onto a well-marked, ascending path and head for the Col de Branveau. From here, the landscape changes to alpine pastures. Head towards a chalet (known as Branveau) situated below.
(6) Follow a small path that is gently sloping at first but becomes steeper further on, and make your way to the ridge line whilst following the yellow markings.
(7) Turn right, following the yellow markings (these have been recently repainted). The path climbs at a more or less steep gradient. A little further on, you’ll look down on the Chalet Bévy: you can see the summit of the Colomby de Gex, topped by a derrick-like structure. Reach the summit on its left-hand side; just before this, the slope becomes a little steeper. The Colomby de Gex is topped by a large pylon (like a derrick). Panoramic views over Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.
(8) Follow the path to the right and downhill (GR®9, marked in red and white).
(9) You’ll reach the Pas de l’Échine, then head back up onto the ridge.
(10) You’ll reach an unnamed summit (elevation 1606): descend slightly, then climb back up to the Grand Montrond (elevation 1614).
(11) Continue north along the ridge and you’ll soon reach Le Montrond (elevation 1,596).
(12) From the summit, head left, continuing to follow the GR®9 towards La Faucille. The route heads towards the Chalet du Crozat, but without reaching it, it veers off to the right (to avoid a mountain pasture where herds and mountain dogs are present during the summer months).
(13) You’ll come to a junction where four paths meet (a spot you’ll pass again on the return journey): continue to the left towards La Gelinotte, following the new route of the GR®9.
NB: From here, you can either carry on straight ahead for a direct round trip to Le Petit Montrond, or turn right onto the Chemin de la Vie de Chaux to return to the starting point and thus shorten the route.
Follow the path for a good few minutes, then join a track suitable for vehicles, which you follow to the right.
(14) Just before the end of the track, on the right, the TV transmitter towering above you comes into clear view: take the ski run (which isn’t too steep) to reach Petit Mont Rond.
(15) Turn round and head straight along the road to the right of the transmitter to join a path (towards Mont Rond and Colomby de Gex).
(13) After a few minutes’ walk, you’ll reach a spot you’ve seen before: turn left towards Pailly-Gex (Chemin de la Vie de Chaux). The path descends a gently sloping valley, then veers left up a steeper slope to reach the woodland (caution: some sections are very slippery). After a few minutes, the path rejoins the road you took on the way out.
Please note: access to this section is prohibited from 1 December to 15 April
(1) Turn left to reach the Pailly car park (S/E).
Tourist office
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