Les Hauts d'Albens

This walk takes you on a circular route through the hamlets of the Hauts d’Albens. Beautiful views over the Albanais, the Semnoz, and the Bange and Revard mountains. In Dressy, you can see an old bread oven and an ox shoeing bench.

Details

3552661
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.04 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 454 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 450 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 683 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 387 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start opposite 1162, Route des Combes in La Biolle.

(S/E) Take the D 991 C towards Albens.

(1) After Moulin Gendarme on the map, take the first path branching off to the left and continue to the hamlet of Favra, where you turn left towards Montvagnard, then right towards Les Granges.

(2) Take the road to the left, then the path at the end of it, which will take you to Collonges.

(3) Turn left and head up towards Les Vernettes.

(4) At Les Vernettes, take the path leading into the woods, signposted “Chemin de Promenade”, and follow the yellow markings to the D 54. Head up to the left towards Les Crouteaux.

(5) At Chemin des Crouteaux, turn left onto the path, then take the track on the right towards Combe Bellon. Follow the path back to the D54, then turn left towards Dressy.
=> It appears there is a closure reported on 10 March 2025 by a user.
>Please note: the Chemin des Crouteaux is closed; you must head back up the D54 to reach Dressy
So continue carefullyalong the D54 to Dressy.

(6) The bread oven: you can see an old bread oven and learn about its history, as well as, 100 metres further on, an ox shoeing bench leaning against a small chapel.

(7) On leaving Dressy, leave the road and take the path on the left which joins a road at La Croutade.

(8) Continue along the path that heads south into the woods.

(9) At La Source, take the track leading in either direction, then follow thefirst track on the right and then on the left until you reach the hamlet of La Vicourte.

(10) Turn onto the path on the left and continue to Chemin de Mondurand, then continue left to Montée du Mondurand.

(11) Continue right along the road to Le Mollard.

(12) From Le Mollard, head to Lépau. Take the Route du Plateau and join the D 991C.

(13) Take the sharp left-hand bend onto Montée de Lépeau and return to the starting point, 1162 Route des Combes in La Biolle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 399 m - Car park: 1162 Route des Combes – La Biolle - Albenche (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 387 m - Trail
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 458 m - Route du Plateau
  4. 3 : km 2.48 - alt. 533 m - Collonges
  5. 4 : km 3.45 - alt. 648 m - Walking route
  6. 5 : km 4.69 - alt. 559 m - Chemin des Crouteaux
  7. 6 : km 6.07 - alt. 598 m - The bread oven
  8. 7 : km 6.27 - alt. 611 m - Dressy exit
  9. 8 : km 6.58 - alt. 654 m - Exit from La Croutade
  10. 9 : km 8.02 - alt. 653 m - La Source 649 m
  11. 10 : km 8.99 - alt. 668 m - La Vicourte
  12. 11 : km 10.55 - alt. 582 m - Montée du Mondurand
  13. 12 : km 11.4 - alt. 484 m - Le Mollard
  14. 13 : km 12.72 - alt. 413 m - Montée de Lépeau
  15. S/E : km 13.04 - alt. 399 m - Car park: 1162 Route des Combes – La Biolle

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★

Hello, Casillas
Thank you for letting us know.
Description updated.
The author should bring this into line!

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casillas
casillas

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route, though with a few too many narrow roads – fortunately with no traffic apart from the odd vehicle – and some steep, muddy sections both uphill and downhill.(Please note: the Chemin des Crouteaux is closed; you’ll need to head back up the D54 to reach Dressy. Otherwise, it’s perfect – thanks to the route planner.)

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bibilavoudonc
bibilavoudonc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Stunning views of the Aravis and Mont Blanc. Beautiful panoramas
Beautiful paths lined with autumn leaves...
A very pleasant walk on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
It took us 3½ hours to complete this hike.

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Patrick1704
Patrick1704

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A lovely walk, but too much driving

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vasseurf
vasseurf

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

A lovely walk, mostly in the shade, but with too many roads; it’s not very well signposted, though thankfully you can follow the route using the Visiorando app on your phone.

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Seika
Seika

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello

Hike on 28 February, a lovely day despite the chilly wind.
Very nice views from the heights, a very pleasant walk that’s more of a stroll than a proper hike, very little elevation gain, no major difficulties.
However, I found it a shame there was nowhere to park (the start/finish point isn’t very inviting, it has to be said) and there were numerous sections along relatively busy roads (especially towards the end); the few sections through the forest are refreshing, though, and the view is magnificent on a clear day.
Note that a detour is required, particularly just after point 5, as the path towards Combe Bellon is blocked by a barrier with a ‘no entry’ sign.

The walk is nonetheless enjoyable. Took about 4 hours (at a good pace and including a lunch break)

Thank you for the route.

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daenerys73
daenerys73

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A lovely walk through a beautiful forest, especially with the autumn colours. Very peaceful. For chestnut lovers, there are plenty to be found. We enjoyed the views. We’d already been up Montagne de la Biolle and really liked the area.
Thanks to the Visorandeur for this route
Daenerys73

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