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Update by the author on 06/07/2025:
- A section of the route has been modified after Grand Montrond (12) to join directly with Chemin de la Vie de Chaux (13) (formerly (15)) for the following reasons:
- 'l'Alpage du Crozat is not accessible from 01/06 to 30/09 to ensure the tranquillity of the sheep and patou herds.
- As a result, the GR®9 route has been permanently modified with a complete overhaul of the white and red markings and signposts.
- Following this change to the route, the description has been revised
- In addition:
- a few minor adjustments have been made to the route in other areas,
- the point (3) has been slightly moved.
The start is from the Pailly car park, located just under 2 km from the Col de la Faucille, in a hairpin bend on the RD1005 (on the right) towards Gex and Geneva.
(S/E) Take the small road slightly downhill (the summit of Colomby de Gex is signposted as 2½ hours away).
(1) At the left-hand bend, turn right (the gradient is gentle) to reach the Chalet de la Quible
(2) Continue straight ahead towards Les Platières; shortly afterwards, the road turns into a path and then joins a track.
(3) Turn right, and after a short while you will approach the Chalet des Platières: continue right on the path to reach the chalet.
(4) Continue along the path to the left behind the chalet: the path is initially flat, then descends to the junction with another path. Continue straight ahead and after a short walk (and little elevation gain), you will come to a fork (marked Chemin Neuf on a sign): turn right towards Colomby de Gex.
(5) In a wooded area, keep to the far right and take a good path uphill to reach the Col de Branveau. From here, the landscape changes to alpine pastures. Head towards a chalet (called Branveau) located below.
(6) Take a small path that is slightly sloping at first but becomes steeper, and follow the yellow markings (these were recently redone) to reach the ridge.
(7) Turn right and follow the yellow markings (these have been redone recently). The path climbs more or less steeply. A little further on, you will come above Chalet Bévy: you can see the summit of Colomby de Gex topped by a kind of derrick. Reach the summit on the left; just before you get there, the slope becomes a little steeper. The Colomby de Gex is topped by a large pylon (like a derrick). Enjoy the panoramic view of the Lake Geneva basin and Mont Blanc.
(8) Follow the path on the right and downhill (GR®®9marked red and white). You will arrive at the Pas de l'Échine. Climb back up the ridge and reach an unnamed peak (elevation 1606).
(10) Descend slightly and climb back up to reach the summit of Grand Montrond.
(11) Continue north along the ridge and you will soon reach Montrond (elevation 1596).
(12) Turn left and continue to follow theGR®®9towards La Faucille. The path heads towards the Chalet du Crozat, then veers to the right (to avoid an alpine pasture with herds and sheepdogs in summer).
(13) You will come to a junction where four paths meet (you will return here on the way back): continue left towards La Gelinotte, which corresponds to the new GR® 9 route.
Note: from here, you can either continue straight ahead for a direct return trip to Petit Montrond, or turn right onto Chemin de la Vie de Chaux to return to the starting point and shorten the circuit.
Follow the path for a few minutes, then join a track that you follow to the right.
(14) Shortly before the end of the road, on the right, you will see the TV transmitter tower above you. Take the ski trail (which is not too steep) to reach Petit Mont Rond.
(15) Take 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 will come to a place you have already seen: turn left towards Pailly-Gex (Chemin de la Vie de Chaux). The path descends a gently sloping valley, then turns left with a steeper slope to reach the forest (be careful, some sections are very slippery). After a few minutes, the path joins the road you took on the way there.
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).
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