Tour of the Montagne de Bange

This walk takes you round this mountain, situated between the Semnoz to the north and the Revard massif to the south. Initially, you’ll follow the^{GRP® trail}, which will take you to the summit (Crêt de la Dolca) and on to the Col de la Cochette (orientation table).
Moderator’s note : reviews of this walk indicate that from (14) onwards, the path no longer exists. The only alternative is to follow the D911 for 4 km. See details in the description

Details

n°3548769

Creation:
09 Jul 2020

Last update:
31 May 2022

Last review:
07 Aug 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 12.60 mi
Average duration: 9h 20
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 4,094 ft
Descent: - 4,072 ft
Highest point: 4,698 ft
Lowest point: 2,054 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Bauges
City: Cusy (74540)
Start/End: N 45.757689° / E 6.056983°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3332OT, 3431OT, 3431OTR, 3432OT, 3432OTR
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Description of the walk

Park at the Grand Raie car park.

(S/E) Take the path and, after about a hundred metres, take the path on the right which becomes the Sentier des Lacets as it climbs up the mountain and leads you to Trousset-Dessous.

(1) Continue the climb to the left, passing the Chalet de Trousset with lovely views over Lake Bourget, towards Les Trois Bornes.

(2) Turn right and carry on towards Le Loret – Creux de Lachat.

(3) At Le Loret, carry on straight ahead towards Le Creux de Lachat.

(4) At La Dolca, take the path on the left up to the summit of Montagne Bange (panoramic view).
Then turn back and continue to the left towards Creux de Lachat.

(5) Turn left towards the Col de la Cochette, passing by the Chalets du Creux de Lachat to reach a crossroads of paths.

(6) At Pâturage de Lachat, follow the path on the right, heading due west, towards the Col de la Cochette.

(7) At Les Pendants, continue towards the Col de la Cochette. Just before reaching the pass, you’ll find a viewpoint with an orientation board offering a 180° panoramic view of the Albanais region and the surrounding mountain ranges.

(8) Take the path on the left towards Arith and head down a forest track (elevation 1297).

(9) At this point, take the path straight ahead that leads into the valley, leaving the stony track on your right, as well as the path that climbs to the left.
This path continues sometimes in the bed of a stream, sometimes along its edge, until it joins another path that will take you to a junction with a track.

(10) At Les Franges du Crêt, cross the track and continue along the path to Montagny.

(11) Continue along the ‘Chez Breton’ road. Beautiful views over the valley, the Margériaz, the Monts Trélod and Colombier.

(12) Head down the path on the right, not far from a telecoms mast, to reach the D 62. Continue left, heading due north, along the road for about 600 m.

(13) Editor’s note: Reviews of this walk indicate that the path from (14) no longer exists. Alternative: at (13) continue along the minor road D62 to join the D911. Follow this road with care until you reach the car park at the start. This ‘alternative’ route involves approximately 5 km on roads, 4 km of which are on a road that is likely to be busy.

~~Take the farm track on the left~~.

(14) ~~Walk uphill along the meadow to reach the woodland and continue along the path through it.~~
~~Caution! The path is barely visible in places, sparsely signposted, and has a few difficult sections; by following the route on the app, you’ll reach a wider track~~.

(15) ~~Head down this path to the right to join the Sentier de la Revêche~~.

(16) ~~Continue to the right along this path to reach the Grand Raie car park, which offers a lovely view of the Tours Saint-Jacques to the north-east (S/E)~~.

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,054 ft - La Grand Raie car park in Cusy. Near the - Chéran (rivière)
1 : mi 2.02 - alt. 3,570 ft - Le Trousset Dessous - Chalet du Trousset (1109 m)
2 : mi 3.38 - alt. 4,475 ft - Les Trois Bornes
3 : mi 3.8 - alt. 4,534 ft - Le Loret
4 : mi 4.11 - alt. 4,642 ft - La Dolca
5 : mi 4.69 - alt. 4,311 ft - Creux de Lachat
6 : mi 5.09 - alt. 4,452 ft - Lachat pasture near the - Refuge du Creux de Lachat (1361m)
7 : mi 5.31 - alt. 4,695 ft - Les Pendants
8 : mi 5.71 - alt. 4,334 ft - Col de la Cochette (1310m)
9 : mi 5.93 - alt. 4,242 ft - Path towards the valley
10 : mi 7.36 - alt. 3,110 ft - Franges du Crêt
11 : mi 7.96 - alt. 2,651 ft - Montagny
12 : mi 8.7 - alt. 2,559 ft - Path
13 : mi 9.35 - alt. 2,195 ft - Forest track
14 : mi 10.13 - alt. 2,182 ft - Meadow
15 : mi 12.05 - alt. 2,543 ft - Forest track
16 : mi 12.35 - alt. 2,231 ft - La Revêche Trail
S/E : mi 12.6 - alt. 2,057 ft - La Grand Raie car park in Cusy

Notes

There are no major difficulties on the route, apart from between (14) and (15). This section involves crossing a stream bed, with the path missing in places and very few signposts. The app is very useful, if not essential.

Reviews and comments

3.6 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.6 / 5

Route interest
3.6 / 5

Guillaume D.

07 Aug 2023 at 21:10 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I can confirm the various comments – which, of course, we hadn’t read before setting off, having relied solely on the route map.
We didn’t turn back after point 14, and the spot known as ‘La Forge’ is indeed dangerous. It was our dog who helped us find the way through (thanks to him).
In short, apart from that memorable end to the route – in the negative sense of the word (our own fault) – the second half of the route isn’t really that interesting compared to the first (Trousset, Lachat, Cochette, all very pleasant). Perhaps it’s better to head off towards the Pic de Bange after Montagny, and return via Les 3 Bornes to the car park (another Visorando walk suggests this).
From now on, I’ve resolved to read the comments before setting off on a hike.

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Silvain

31 May 2022 at 10:46 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

Everything was perfect up to point 14, after which… the path simply disappears! It’s also dangerous to try to find your way, even with your GPS coordinates, as it leads into dense vegetation and close to cliffs.

So I had to turn back and head home via the road.

I’ve noticed that previous comments highlight the same issue. In hindsight, this reassures me a little about my abilities (which are actually quite well-developed after thirty years of hiking, and have become increasingly intense in recent years). This really needs to be pointed out quickly to prevent an accident happening to less experienced hikers!

In future, I’ll make a point of reading previous comments before setting off on a route you’ve described.

Thank you all the same for the work you’ve done.

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Lucile74

01 May 2022 at 20:47 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed today, following the route described. (7.30 hours, not including the snack break). A superb walk, apart from the end: the route is very well described and lovely up to point 13. I agree with the previous comment: from point 14 onwards, the path has almost disappeared (thank goodness for the pink markings on the trees, which help you wind your way through the tree trunks and brambles). We turned back halfway between points 14 and 15, where, due to a lack of maintenance, nature has completely reclaimed the area; a cautious walker has no choice but to turn back to avoid a section on a very steep and slippery slope. We therefore decided to head back to the road at point 13, then continue along the verge, before taking a small path running parallel to the road that led back to the car park.
You’ll need to follow the map closely in several places.
It’s a shame about the end, as the rest of the route is truly beautiful, fairly quiet, with lovely views and lovely woodland!

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Cyro74

20 Sep 2020 at 13:56 7200 • Edited: 20 Sep 2020 at 13:56 7200

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I did the hike on 19 September and there are a few points I’d like to clarify:
The first section up to the halfway point (Col de la Cochette) was very interesting. Magnificent views, everything is well signposted and the path is easy going and suitable for younger children.
However, after Col de la Cochette, there’s no point in continuing along the route. If you do want to carry on, you’ll have to use the app to stay on track, as there’ll be no further signposting or even a proper path at all (from point 14 onwards). I tried going without the app as I already use others, but I was eventually forced to use it to avoid getting lost (I now understand better why the first commenter also got lost without GPS). What’s more, again after point 14, you’ll enter a really dangerous section and you’ll be on your own if anything happens to you, as you’ll be following an old track that has since been abandoned and where the vegetation has taken over (brambles, riverbeds, fallen trees everywhere). In short, I got the impression that this section was included just to complete the circular route.
In conclusion, this walk is very enjoyable if you go as far as the Col de la Cochette and then turn back. The distance will be similar, but it will be much less dangerous and you’ll spend more time in the mountain pastures.

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aekpc

24 Aug 2020 at 15:08 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Did it as a mix of trail running and a leisurely walk. Took a quick detour to the ‘Fenêtre des Pendants’ viewpoint on the way to the orientation table, just for fun. Couldn’t find my way back after point 14 (no GPS). Headed back down to the sawmill after a bit of gardening and returned via the paths running parallel to the road. An interesting route in terms of distance.

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