Col du Grand Colombier, ENS de l'Ain

On a clear day, you can admire the Alps, the Belledonne massif, Mont Blanc, Bugey, the Rhône river and 3 Alpine lakes: Bourget, Annecy and Léman.

The Col du Grand Colombier has been awarded the label "ENS" Espace Naturel Sensible by the Département de l'Ain. Real natural and landscape gems, ENS-labeled sites are preserved through local management and made accessible to as many people as possible, when the fragility of the site allows. To make the most of this richness, certain rules must be respected, and a charter has been drawn up to ensure that all users live together in harmony.

Located 30 minutes from Aix-les-Bains, 1 hour from Annecy and Geneva and 1.5 hours from Lyon, the Col du Grand Colombier has two panoramic viewpoints accessible by car or on foot: "Le Fenestrez" at 1,150 m and "La Croix" at 1,525 m.
A cyclist's paradise and a memorable stage of the Tour de France in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2023, the 4-sided Col du Grand Colombier is a legendary pass and a real challenge for amateur and professional cyclists alike. As the southern tip of the Jura massif, facing the Alps and Mont Blanc, there are numerous hiking trails accessible from the surrounding valleys, or by starting at altitude to take advantage of the ridge trails.
The massif can also be explored by mountain bike, thanks to the signposted circuits of the Espace VTT FFC Ain Forestière, and the Grande Traversée du Jura à VTT. Although the pass is closed from November to April, it is possible to discover the massif on snowshoes and cross-country skis in winter from the Domaine nordique de Sur Lyand.

There are 4 faces to discover:
From Culoz: 18.3 km. D+: 1262 m. The most spectacular route with its famous switchbacks.
From Artemare, via Virieu-le-Petit: 15.9 km. D+: 1251 m. The steepest and narrowest road, not recommended for cyclists on the descent, and to be avoided by car.
From Anglefort: 15.7 km. D+: 1251 m. The shadiest route.
From Champagne-en-Valromey via Lochieu: 12.3 km. D+: 900 m. The "easiest" route.

Hikes to discover :
- The Grand Colombier mountain pastures loop. 5km - 180 m D+.
- Circuit des crêtes du Grand Colombier. 11 km - 600 m D+.
- The Scioux circuit. 13 km - 470 m gradient
- Le Sentier des Chartreux. 8.5 km - 570 m D+.
- Le Grand Colombier from Munet. 16 km - 1100 m of D+.
- Le Grand Colombier from Culoz. 26 km -1300 m of D+.

Find the Grand Colombier hikes on the free Ain-outdoor app.