Le Mollard de Don from Ordonnaz

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular route, though you’ll need a GPS to follow it, especially from point 5 to the edge of the forest.
Best avoided in wet weather, as the stream you follow and cross makes things a bit trickier.
It’s also a shame that the foresters have ruined the path on the final stretch.
We did this on a lovely sunny day, with beautiful views, lovely forest sections, that slightly adventurous feel and no one else on the trail – we really enjoyed this hike.

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Date of your route : Feb 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, but the return trip is currently impassable.
Along the stream, the path is no longer visible, so you have to search for it.
Then, over a distance of 3 to 4 km, foresters have destroyed the path, which was heavily flooded after the rains.
My advice: wait at least 1 to 2 months before checking whether it is passable.
Greetings from a hiker.

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Yes, I did this route, which I enjoyed both in winter and summer. For the climb up to Mollard de Don, after point 2, I climbed above the GR towards Creux du Solliant and then turned right onto a path that runs parallel to the GR above it, leaving the trail for a while but rejoining it later. At the summit, I preferred to continue along the GR to reach the famous point 5 and the path that descends to the left into the Brune stream valley. I was glad to have my GPS, because it's true, the path is hardly visible - on the other hand, the description helped me a lot at the stream crossing point - you really had to be careful to follow the path and not miss the exit from the valley at point 6 - but there, the path becomes obvious again.

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Date of your route : Dec 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
This is a pleasant hike, provided you have a GPS to find the trailhead at point 5. However, after point 3, the path has been destroyed by forestry machinery. Similarly, at point 6, the small pine forest has been cleared (due to bark beetles?). The old grassy path is virtually impassable due to the machinery, which has left huge ruts in a muddy field. Fortunately for us, the ground was frozen. To hike this route, you will probably have to wait until the forestry work is finished or find an alternative route after point 6. Despite this, we really enjoyed this varied route, basked in the sun above the fog and stocked up on local cheeses at the dairy.
P.S.: as suggested in other reviews (thank you), we stayed on the GR after the summit.

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Date of your route : Apr 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike!
When I arrived at Mollard de Don, I took a different route downhill, following the GR trail, which offered magnificent views... and I added a little detour towards the Col du Grand Pertuis to reach the viewpoint as well. At point 6, the path that veers to the right is not easy to see... but thanks to my GPS, I found it!
A very enjoyable time, with a short stop at the village cheese dairy to stock up on cheese!!!

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Date of your route : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Departure from Ordonnaz to Mollard de Don, flawless - I varied the climb a little by turning off after point 2 and the path that descends to the left towards Combe Noir and the D32, taking a path that passes to the left above the GR and runs parallel to it, first towards Creux du Solliant, then turning right towards Les Yvoires where you rejoin the GR. This alternative route is more attractive as it avoids a section of the tarmac forest track (which is not very interesting) and crosses meadows with beautiful views. From there, continue along the GR to Mollard de Don. From Mollard de Don, I preferred to continue along the GR to point 5, as it is less steep. From point 5, the path becomes less obvious (and is not marked on the IGN map), so a GPS device is essential. From the source of the Brune, the path becomes even less visible and you have to follow the GPS route to the letter! Do not cross the Brune immediately at the source. At the confluence of the Doye and the Brune, stay slightly to the left of the Brune before crossing a little further on (you may get your feet wet). It is true that if the flow is strong, it is impossible to use this path. Once on the right side of the Brune, follow it more or less closely to point 6 (the GPS was a great help here). From point 6, the path becomes more obvious and the hike ends pleasantly with pretty views of the other side of the Mollard de Don. Total distance: just over 12 km. A charming route as it is very varied.

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Date of your route : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike mainly through woodland with a viewpoint at the very end of the climb.
Pretty village at the start!

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Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We took the GR trail to the top of Mollard towards the cross, which extends the route along the ridge a little, and the view joins the circuit a little further down.
A very nice route!

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Date of your route : Mar 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed at the end of March 2024.
A beautiful route that is not very busy at this time of year.
Avoid the Molard descent in wet weather at all costs; follow the GR trail instead.

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Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed in February 2024. A very beautiful route. I was familiar with the first part up to point 5, but not beyond that. You need a GPS app for the rest of the route, as the paths are not easy to find and are sometimes a little overgrown with branches blown down by the wind. It is beautiful and wild.
It should be noted that the direct descent from Mollard de Don is becoming increasingly difficult. This is the old GR route, but it is no longer maintained. It is not recommended in wet weather. You can avoid it by descending via the GR.

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Date of your route : Apr 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, a very beautiful hike, a little adventurous! Not to be done in rainy weather, as it will be slippery... No internet connection between 4 and 6, but the path is relatively well marked.
To be clarified:
- after 5: "Small path on the left..." it is marked by a yellow marker on a tree
- then, follow La Brune, first to the left then to the right (it climbs before descending, which is where it gets tricky if it has rained...)
- There is another yellow marker at no. 6.
A torrent, waterfalls... it's worth the effort!
Enjoy your hike, everyone.

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I'm being asked for my opinion, but I haven't done this hike...

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Date of your route : Apr 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I disagree with the difficulty rating for this route.
It is difficult in rainy weather and very difficult in winter, especially if there is snow or high humidity.
Furthermore, between points 5 and 6, if you do not have extensive knowledge and the necessary GPS equipment on which the route is marked, it is very difficult to find your way, especially if there is 5 cm of snow. In addition, there are no markings or landmarks on this section. You also need to be in good physical condition to complete it. There have been numerous falls on slippery sections, fortunately without serious consequences.
For inexperienced hikers, this route is best attempted in dry weather, preferably between June and September. Otherwise, bring experienced guides and appropriate equipment.
Despite this, it is a superb, physically demanding route that offers beautiful rewards in the form of landscapes at Mollard de Don and along the Strune stream for specialists.

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Date of your route : Mar 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The only drawbacks are that the view at Mollard is quite limited due to the vegetation. There is a little snow at the top in places, but it is not frozen. To get a clear view of the region, including Lyon, you have to wait until you reach Mont Pela.

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Date of your route : Mar 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We couldn't find the small path that branches off to the left at point 5 (we're hiking without GPS).
The path was still very snowy and icy from the old ski slope
So we descended to the D94A road for the return trip.
The hike is interesting, with beautiful views from the ridges and pretty countryside and forest scenery down on the road.
The area is very quiet and not very busy.
It took us about 5 hours.

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