In the footsteps of monks, in the Léoncel forest

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From Léoncel via the Pas du Grand Échaillon to the Col de la Bataille, then Gampaloux and the Grand Échaillon, a walk through the forest in the footsteps of the Cistercian monks of Léoncel Abbey.

Details

n°224205
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.58 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 726 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 722 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,361 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 906 m
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Photos

Deer during the rut
Ruins in the fog on Gampaloux
Abbey at the start
The ruins of Gampaloux

Description of the walk

Departure: car park south of Léoncel.

(S/E) Head north, then turn right onto the D199 road towards the Col de la Bataille.

(1) Pass Bérangeon (DDE premises) and take the path on the right (GR® 93) south-east.

(2) At the junction ofthe GR®93and 9, the two paths run parallel for about 30 metres. Stay on theGR®93heading east and climb up to the Pas du Grand Échaillon at about 800 metres.

::3: :Once you reach Pas du Grand Échaillon, take the path on the left and pass between the cistern and the sheepfold.

(4) A few metres further on, turn right and continue on theGR®93to the D199. Continue for about 100 metres to the right.

(5) Turn right to climb up the Ravin de Pissenible via the track of the same name and continue to the D199.

(6) Turn right, heading due east, and follow the road.

(7) Before the tunnel, follow the clearly visible path that passes over it, then rejoin the road to reach the Col de la Bataille.

(8) Return to the path coming from the Combe de Pissenible by turning right at the tunnel.

(6) Continue along the D199 until you reach a grassy path on the right after the right-hand bend in the road.

(9) Descend the path for about 1.1 km to reach the Route Forestière de Gampaloux.

(10) Follow this track for about 400m until you reach a right-hand bend and the junction of the path that descends to the left, due north. Follow this path.

(11) Cross the forest track and take the path that descends opposite.

(12) Take the Gampaloux forest track on the right, heading north for about 280 metres.

(13) At the crossroads, turn left for about 20 metres, then head towards the ruins of Gampaloux. Pass between the buildings and join the path behind them.

(14) Take the path on the left, heading west until you reach a forest track.

(15) Cross the track and take the path about 20 metres to the right. Head south-west, cross a track and reach the Col du Lion.

(16) At the pass, take the path that descends into the forest and follow it to Grand Échaillon. Walk along the right side of the building and turn left onto the path that passes behind it. Join a track.

(4) Follow it to the right, pass between the cistern and the sheepfold seen on the way up, then join the path that descends to Pas de l'Échaillon.

(3) Leave the path you took on the way up and continue straight ahead to follow the path that continues along the edge of the woods and then enters them, descending gradually. At the edge of the woods, continue for about 300 metres and join theGR®9path that branches off to the right, 100 metres before the crossroads.

(17) Turn right onto theGR®9and rejoin the path taken at the start under the Pas de l'Échaillon.

(2) Return to Léoncel via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 912 m - Léoncel car park
  2. 1 : km 0.48 - alt. 910 m - Bérangeon
  3. 2 : km 0.76 - alt. 958 m - GR9 - GR93 crossroads
  4. 3 : km 1.6 - alt. 1,196 m - Pas du Grand Échaillon
  5. 4 : km 1.77 - alt. 1,191 m - GR 93 crossroads, Chemin du Grand Échaillon
  6. 5 : km 2.61 - alt. 1,198 m - Combe de Pissenible
  7. 6 : km 4.62 - alt. 1,332 m - D199 crossroads
  8. 7 : km 4.97 - alt. 1,342 m - Tunnel
  9. 8 : km 5.55 - alt. 1,314 m - Col de la Bataille
  10. 9 : km 6.62 - alt. 1,327 m - Comblézine crossroads
  11. 10 : km 7.72 - alt. 1,227 m - Comblézine
  12. 11 : km 8.86 - alt. 1,155 m - Gampaloux forest track junction
  13. 12 : km 9.57 - alt. 1,075 m - 2nd crossroads on the Gampaloux forest track
  14. 13 : km 9.88 - alt. 1,061 m - Gampaloux
  15. 14 : km 10.02 - alt. 1,039 m - Ruins of Gampaloux
  16. 15 : km 10.6 - alt. 1,100 m - Gampaloux forest track junction
  17. 16 : km 11.42 - alt. 1,192 m - Col du Lion (1191m)
  18. 17 : km 15.2 - alt. 937 m - GR 9 crossroads
  19. S/E : km 17.58 - alt. 912 m - Léoncel car park

Notes

(4) Water tap against the wall of the Auberge du Grand Échaillon inn, approx. 300 m away.
(4) Refreshments available at the Auberge du Grand Échaillon, approx. 300m away.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Léoncel Abbey

(8) The Col de la Bataille with magnificent views, to the south over the Gervanne Valley and to the north over the Lyonne Valley.

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Delph1969
Delph1969

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As enjoyable as ever, and the blueberry tart at the restaurant is perfect for recharging your batteries
It's a superb hike with no difficulty and very well signposted
We did it both ways!
I highly recommend it

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bader
bader

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Carried out on a very foggy day, I cut it a little short at the end.
Then, at the end of the day, I climbed up to the Ambel plateau to hear the deer rut. I saw seven does and a beautiful stag for over 45 minutes, and my fatigue faded away as I watched these magnificent animals.

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maran04
maran04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
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, except for the last circular, which is not very interesting (point 3-17-2).
The advantage is that most of the hike is in the shade, which is a big plus in hot weather.
Highly recommended

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atraver
atraver

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

less than 7 hours

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Fanfoé07
Fanfoé07
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Left this morning at 9:40 a.m. with a temperature of 13°C and wind (mistral).
It climbs well at the start and then "calms down".
In the forest, you're well sheltered from the wind, but out in the open, it's blowing hard.
The Col de la Bataille is worth a look for the view, which you don't get above the tunnel.
It's well worth the 200 metres of tarmac.
It's a busy road with cars and motorbikes, so you have to be careful
Beautiful route with different species of trees.
Return after a 6-hour walk (with a snack). 17°C in Léoncel
I took the opportunity to buy some faisselles and cheese, which are excellent.
Thanks to the author of this hike

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Thierryb26
Thierryb26

After wpt 16, the trail is quite damaged by forestry work (trail widened by bulldozers and large ruts), fortunately over a fairly short distance...

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georgesle_boule
georgesle_boule

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk in the forest.

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Thierryb26
Thierryb26

Hello,
Not normally, it's more of a cattle farming area.

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ludi854
ludi854

I'm interested in this hike, but I'm wondering if you encounter herds and sheepdogs along the way? Thank you

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helene.bernaldez
helene.bernaldez

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

advantage: shaded route in this hot weather

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grenouille
grenouille

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting and varied route, generally well sheltered from the strong north wind today. No problems finding my way with my hiking GPS. Thanks to the author of this track and to the comments posted by other users. . . .

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randonneesviso
randonneesviso

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful hike with varied trails

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toposrandos
toposrandos

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route that suited us well given the mediocre weather (cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms).
Between 7 and 8, we turned back at the highest point, deciding that the return trip to Col de la Bataille via the tarmac road was not very interesting!

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BOUILLOUX JEAN-PAUL
BOUILLOUX JEAN-PAUL
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

After a somewhat steep start, which may surprise some, the hike is very pleasant, with an interesting section at Col de la Bataille (very windy and cold on the day of our hike). It is ideal for a summer's day, as you are always at an altitude of over 1,000 metres and mostly in the forest. You often walk along forest tracks used in winter for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, but the landscapes are of course very different in spring. No difficulty (after the first half hour). Can therefore be done with the family for hikers who are not very experienced (be aware of the length, however).

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wacapoo
wacapoo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It should be noted that the start is steep, but it's worth it for a beautiful hike.

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