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Routes France Ain Micro-adventure: Crossing the Bugey via the Grand Colombier
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Micro-adventure: Crossing the Bugey via the Grand Colombier

· 1 review · Hiking Trail · Ain
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Exaucé Schatz
on  July 04, 2024
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Selected alternatives for you
    3-day tour from Valserhône station to Culoz station on the GR®9
    difficult
    Distance 51.9 km
    15:32 h
    1,725 m
    1,851 m
    1,530 m
    234 m
    Cross the Retord plateau, an unspoilt area where you'll wind your way through alpine pastures and forests before reaching the ridges leading to the Grand Colombier and descending to the Rhône at its foot. This long balcony crossing offers views not only of the Alps, but also of Lake Geneva and Beaujolais.

    > Stage 1: from Valserhône to Les Plans d'Hotonnes (numerous gîtes d'étape, 1 hôtel-restaurant Berthet, 1 chambre d'hôte)
    18.5 km / 7h15 walking / 1030m cumulative elevation gain

    > Stage 2: From Les Plans d'Hotonnes to Arvière-en Valromey (Chalet Retrouvance® d'Arvière)
    15 km / 4h40 walk / 360 m vertical drop

    > Stage 3: From Arvière-en-Valromey to Culoz
    19 km / 5h40 walk / 360 m vertical drop

    Author’s recommendation

    This itinerary is easily accessible by public transport, as it links the Bellegarde-sur-Valserine TGV/TER station to the Culoz TER station, and allows you to explore the southernmost part of the Jura massif, dominated by the famous Grand Colombier.

    Logo Aintourisme
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    Aintourisme  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    1,530 m
    Lowest point
    234 m
    Best time of year
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    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Kota finlandais de l'Auberge le Catray
    Restaurant and take-away "Au Campagnard Autrement"
    Les Epicurieux

    Safety information

    > Chiens de protection : cet itinéraire traverse ou passe à proximité d'alpages et/ou d'estives potentiellement protégés par des chiens contre le loup. Consultez la carte interactive Ma Patou et apprenez le comportement à adoptez : https://www.pasto-kezako.fr/ou-sont-les-chiens-de-protection-2/

    > Balisage défectueux, incidents /  sécurité, conflits d'usage, dépôts sauvages ?  : localisez et partagez le problème rencontré sur le dispositif d'alerte national depuis l'appli SURICATE ou via le site https://sentinelles.sportsdenature.fr/

    Public transport

    Bellegarde-sur-Valserine and Culoz stations

    Directions

    BY CAR

    > FROM LYON

    1h20 by car on the A40, exit 10 "Bellegarde".

    Parking

    Find out more about parking at Valserhône: Link

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.109820, 5.824340
    DMS
    46°06'35.4"N 5°49'27.6"E
    UTM
    31T 718258 5110127
    w3w 
    ///huddled.reds.diggers
    Show on Map
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendation by the author

    Topoguide FFRandonnée "Tours and crossings in the Ain" (in French)

    Book recommendations for this region:

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    Recommended maps for this region:

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    Equipment

    Ten tips for getting started in touring by the FFRandonnée: Link

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using French as the source language
    The most beautiful hikes in the Ain
    France › Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes › Ain › Valserhône

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    Ratings and reviews

    5.0
    (1)

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    Reviews
    1
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    51.9 km
    Duration
    15:32 h
    Ascent
    1,725 m
    Descent
    1,851 m
    Highest point
    1,530 m
    Lowest point
    234 m
    Summit route Multi-stage route Linear route

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

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    Excursions and leisure tips for the region

    Routes France Ain Micro-adventure: Crossing the Bugey via the Grand Colombier