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3 day-hike in Jura: hiking trails through Plateau de Retord and Grand Colombier

Sport, Pedestrian sports, Hiking itinerary in Culoz-Béon
55.0 km
Hard
  • Southern crossing of the Grande Traversée du Jura on foot from Valserhône railway station to Culoz railway station in 3 days.

  • With a length of just over 50 km, this marked crossing on the southern end of the Grande traversée du Jura follows the crests and large expanses of the Jura Massif.
    From Valserhône station to Culoz railway station, two towns on the banks of the Rhône river, this circuit in the middle of nature quickly gains altitude to first cross the Plateau de Retord, then the Massif du Grand Colombier.
    In these landscapes of wide open spaces, far from roads and communication axes, it is a crossing of...
    With a length of just over 50 km, this marked crossing on the southern end of the Grande traversée du Jura follows the crests and large expanses of the Jura Massif.
    From Valserhône station to Culoz railway station, two towns on the banks of the Rhône river, this circuit in the middle of nature quickly gains altitude to first cross the Plateau de Retord, then the Massif du Grand Colombier.
    In these landscapes of wide open spaces, far from roads and communication axes, it is a crossing of mountain pastures, valleys and forests with little or no habitation. Apart from the farms of Retord and their atypical architecture, places favored by the Resistance during the Second World War.
    Many panoramas are to be discovered along the way with a series of balconies facing the chain of the Alps and Mont Blanc to the east.

    Day 1: Valserhône (Bellegarde) > Les Plans d'Hotonnes (20 km)
    Day 2: Les Plans d'Hotonnes > Arvières (17 km)
    Day 3: Arvieres > Culoz (18 km)

    Several accommodations offer overnight stays in the Plans d'Hotonnes resort, including the Hôtel Restaurant Berthet.
    The next stage can be done up to the very popular Chalet d'Arvières located between the Col de la Biche and the Grand Colombier.

    The circuit crosses the pastures of the Plateau de Retord, the greatest vigilance is recommended when you encounter a herd.
    Some herds are accompanied by guard dogs, in which case it is strongly recommended that you do not cross it but walk around it. We thank you for keeping your dogs on a leash and systematically closing the enclosures behind your passage.
  • Departure
    Culoz-Béon
  • Environment
    • In the country
    • Forest location
    • Lake view
    • Mountain view
    • Mountain location
    • Station district
    • Close to a public transportation
    • Lake 5 km away
    • Close to GR footpath
    • Overview on river
    • Pond within 5 km
    • Panoramic view
    • Presence of livestock and guard dogs
  • Spoken languages
    • French
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
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