Le Grand Colombier

de fr

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.

Details

n°25105695
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.86 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,000 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 997 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,528 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 625 m
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Photos

Le Brançon stream
Pierre Amion
Planapose meadow
Summit of Chanduraz

Description of the walk

Head to the hamlet of Munet, in the commune of Arvière-en-Valromey. If you are coming from Artemare, cross the hamlet, pass by the Virgin Mary statue and take the first street on the right. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. Follow the gravel path to a small car park in the forest on your left.

(S/E) Leave the car park and immediately turn left onto the path that climbs alongside the Brançon stream. Follow the yellow markings. After a good kilometre, pass the Virgin of the Combe and continue climbing until you reach a stony path.

(1) Turn right, then, at the bend, turn left towards the Col du Colombier. From there, walk for about 1 km.

(2) Take the path on the left that leads to Grand Colombier. Continue until you reach the road.

(3) Descend to the left for about 100 m, then take the path that climbs to the right. Follow the yellow markings, passing a few barriers. Soon the path will take you back to the road. Continue uphill for about 1.5 km to the pass.

(4) At this point, you will likely encounter a few people, including many cyclists. Take the path on the left that leads to the Croix du Colombier, then to the orientation table.

(5) Enjoy the 360° panorama: if the weather is good, you can see Mont Blanc, Crêt de la Neige and Mont Mézenc. Retrace your steps.

(4) Head opposite to climb up to Grand Colombier.

(6) Continue along the ridge, following theGR® trail. Pass under the pylon and follow the path down to the road. Walk for about 500 metres, then turn right towards the Grand Colombier inn. At the three-way junction, turn right and walk a few metres.

(7) Do not go to the inn, but take the path on the left, following the yellow markings. Climb up to a barrier, cross it and begin the descent. You will come to another barrier and a crossroads.

(8) Head straight ahead towards Chanduraz.

(9) Leave the path on the right for now (you will take it on the way back) and continue to the Chanduraz viewpoint.

(10) Retrace your steps.

(9) Turn left and begin the long descent towards Planapose. Head towards the barns at Izena.

(11) Continue straight ahead towards Munet. Turn right at the next crossroads and continue in this direction until you reach a stony path.

(12) Turn left. At the three-way junction a hundred metres further on, turn right.

(13) Turn left and continue towards Munet.

(14) Continue left and return to the car park at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 626 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.83 - alt. 951 m - Gravel path
  3. 2 : km 3.13 - alt. 1,150 m - Junction, on the left
  4. 3 : km 4.26 - alt. 1,280 m - Route du col
  5. 4 : km 6.46 - alt. 1,497 m - Col du Grand Colombier
  6. 5 : km 6.82 - alt. 1,524 m - Croix du Colombier. Orientation table
  7. 6 : km 7.46 - alt. 1,528 m - Grand Colombier
  8. 7 : km 9.35 - alt. 1,384 m - Path on the left
  9. 8 : km 10.22 - alt. 1,306 m - Barrier, opposite
  10. 9 : km 10.85 - alt. 1,279 m - Junction: A/ straight ahead - R/ left
  11. 10 : km 11.14 - alt. 1,244 m - Chanduraz. Viewpoint
  12. 11 : km 12.51 - alt. 1,107 m - Granges d'Izena
  13. 12 : km 13.96 - alt. 912 m - Gravel path
  14. 13 : km 14.66 - alt. 807 m - Turn left
  15. 14 : km 15.5 - alt. 678 m - Crossroads, on the left
  16. S/E : km 15.86 - alt. 625 m - Car park

Notes

At Col du Colombier, you will find a refreshment bar, which may be welcome.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Pierre_J
Pierre_J

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

to avoid the road when leaving the forest at the barns, I extended the path northwards and then returned southwards, following the ridge to the cross via the GR. It adds a little distance and elevation gain, but I find it more enjoyable

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User 6968084

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Completed on 16 May. Lots of walking through the forest on forest tracks that are neither interesting nor difficult.
It is when we arrive at the large dovecote that the paths become interesting.
Hike completed in 4 hours and 40 minutes.
The view is magnificent, I recommend it, it is really accessible.

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cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful hike with no difficulty
at the summit, crocuses and daffodils awaited us, along with a magnificent view

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Misterbird
Misterbird

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 4/12/2024 with a group of hikers from Lyon; the oldest member is 82 years old!
A very pleasant, steady climb under the winter sun.
Arrival at the cross in gusty winds and almost foggy conditions, temperature -5°C.
Descent via the rocky ridge to the Roche de Chanduraz viewpoint. Picnic under beautiful sunshine and a magnificent panorama.
A short nap could have been taken )
After the Izéna barns, a slightly steep descent on a path covered with dead leaves (careful not to slip).
A very beautiful hike, thanks to those who take the time to post their hikes on the website.

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Mariclor
Mariclor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Beautiful hike.
Pleasant climb, mainly through forest and fairly steady. The section before reaching the pass wasn't very pleasant as it was close to the road with cyclists (racing) in sloping meadows and on the road. Beautiful view at the summit with Mont Blanc. Pleasant descent too, with a short detour to the inn (blueberry tart).

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Hervy
Hervy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant route. No visibility at the summit due to the weather.

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vivi01
vivi01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well-marked trail with no major difficulties.

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Ccyl
Ccyl

A very beautiful hike with a good, steady climb. The magical landscapes along the Brançon are magnificent. The fog at the top prevented us from seeing the panorama 🥺 Crossing the "ridges" can be a bit dizzying, but nothing too complicated. We are delighted to have done this beautiful hike!

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Canut XR
Canut XR

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Access to the car park via Rue Pierre Amyon (centre of the hamlet) may be closed (barrier).
The local council would prefer access to the car park to be via Chemin de la Combe, which starts north of La Vierge.
It is a pity that most of the directional posts are not identified (no name, no altitude).

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Ccyl
Ccyl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in foggy weather. Magnificent climb along the Braçon stream. A short stretch of road to reach the legendary pass, but we couldn't enjoy the view because of the clouds. The return trip along the ridges is pleasant and fun, but not recommended for those with fragile feet. Hike completed in 5 hours, delighted!

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Gg71
Gg71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in good weather
The route is not very busy except at the summit, but not necessarily by hikers (cyclists, motorcyclists, etc.)
No difficulties with the signposting
The climb after La Vierge (between points 1 and 2) may seem a little monotonous, but the return offers beautiful views and pretty trails
The descent from the Pilone at the summit is a little more technical but does not last long
It's a good idea to make a small detour via Champduraz, which in my opinion offers one of the most beautiful views
Time: 6 hours

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trident
trident
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this hike on 22 July. I followed the route with the app.
The weather was on our side, with clear skies. Magnificent views
We came back down via the ridges. We loved it.
On the way back, we took the small road to the left of the main road. It was a little longer, but more enjoyable.
It took us 7 hours, including photo breaks and snacks.

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borelbb
borelbb
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
Once again, I climbed this hill, accompanied by my wife, who practises Nordic walking, so we were a little slower than if I had been running alone.
We set off early and had no problems with the route, as I had done it in 22. However, the route was very slippery on the rocks due to the damp and previous storms. You can be caught out by a simple step on a rock
The route is in the shade but with penetrating sunshine, which is nicer than in October
Arrival at the top across the field, which is nice. A short snack break and it's a shame that the inn is closed
There were few people on the route, even though it was a sunny day.
Quick descent on the way back, but a few slips forced us to slow down
See you next time with another route

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cof
cof

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
hike completed on Saturday, 8 July 23. Departure at 9 a.m. from Munet.
Pleasant temperature at the start, warm on the return.
Pleasant climb between steep and flat sections; the climb up to the cross went well.
Be sure to follow the signs carefully, as it is easy to take the wrong path.
Three-quarters of the climb is in the shade.
Beautiful view but a little foggy; we could just make out Mont Blanc.
Arriving at the pass with all those cyclists is unusual for a hike, but very nice.
Then Le Grand Colombier and the descent back down, with a few sections where you need to be careful. Don't miss the viewpoint at Chanduraz; they should think about putting in a footbridge...
Then a slightly long descent to the car park, where you can run a little as half of the descent is suitable for this.
A very enjoyable hike, we were the only ones at the car park. It might be worth doing in autumn when the light is better.
The 7-hour time estimate by Visorando is generous.
Best regards

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JCParavy
JCParavy
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Loop done in the opposite direction, preferring to climb via Planapose and Chanduraz and tackle the steep part of the ridge on the way up. As a result, the descent via Fivole and La Vierge de la Combe is a bit endless.
Several variations followed:
- you can cut through the forest on the descent to the road at Longechat (avoiding too much descent at WP (7))
- i extended the ridge route to the Col de Charbemènes, but this isn't necessarily a good idea, as you have to climb back up to return to Les Granges du Colombier
- i climbed up to Roc Passin to look for a descent to Fromentel, which I didn't find
- i shortened the road section a little by taking a path near the reservoir that descends to the right below Les Granges du Colombier.
This route is recommended throughout most of the season.

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