See photos (5)

Circuit découverte : Le Col de la Colombière

Road in Annemasse
102.7 km
Road
2h
Easy
  • Departure via the Arve valley, then the Borne valley via the Eveaux gorges, and discovery of the Aravis mountain range, dotted with typical mountain villages and traditional mountain pastures dotted with ancestral chalets.
  • Departure
    Annemasse
  • Difference in height
    1817.23 m
  • Plain text period
    All year round.
    Col de la Colombière closed in winter (snow).
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
  • Accepted customers
    • Individuals
  • See all reviews
Points of interest
1 Middle Age Museum of Entremont
Within a series of three rooms there are displays of the monks’ way of life and their work in the fields throughout the day and different seasons. Costumed mannequins and stuffed animals provide scenes of everyday life in Savoie’s mountain villages.
0.jpg 1.jpg 2.jpg
2 Le Grand-Bornand
The Nordic domain is located in the Bouchet valley, 74.5 km of trails (skating or alternative pitch).
3 accesses : Le Grand-Bornand Village, les Plans, Lormay.<br/>Cross-country skiing has its stronghold in Grand-Bornand with 74.5 km of trails on which Roddy Darragon and Sylvie Becaert, Olympic medalists, trained from an early age.
The ski area extends from Grand-Bornand Village (where the World Cup biathlon events are held) to the Bouchet valley. You can also enjoy many groomed itineraries for snowshoeing and walking.

SKATING & CLASSIC CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Wild, populated by snowy spruce trees and chalets snuggled up under the snowflakes, the Nordic domain unfolds its 74.5 km of trails in the Bouchet valley, perfectly maintained and accessible by 3 entrance gates (Le Grand-Bornand Village, Les Plans and Lormay at the Auberge Nordique) which will allow you to discover a setting combining nature, skiing, heritage and agricultural life

- 12 varied loops, from 1 to 15.5 km, from the green trail to the black trail without forgetting the link with the Domaine Nordique des Confins: the Tour du Danay, a 12 km loop accessible by the Bouchet valley / Les Confins link.
- 74.5 km of alternating and skating trails from Grand-Bornand Village to the Bouchet valley.
- 2 biathlon stadiums (cross-country skiing and shooting) at Les Plans in the Bouchet valley and at the Sylvie Becaert stadium in the heart of Grand-Bornand Village, on the site of the biathlon world cup.
- Fun learning areas open to all, near the ice rink in Grand-Bornand Village, at Les Poches, Les Plans and at the Auberge Nordique in the Bouchet valley.
- 9 km of artificial snow slopes.

It is strongly recommended that beginners start from Les Plans or Lormay in the Bouchet valley, sectors which offer more suitable slope profiles. The departure from the village with its rising profile is more demanding. Shuttles (every 30 mn) ensure the connection from the village.

TAKE NORDIC SKI LESSONS NEAR ANNECY
The Nordic domain of Grand-Bornand is ideal to take cross-country skiing lessons near Annecy. You can learn different techniques such as classic, skating or biathlon.
Nordic skiing is an outdoor discipline that can be practiced from the age of four. The trails of Grand-Bornand are traced in a unique environment between pine forests and traditional chalets. Whatever your level, you will find the right slope for your skis:

Green runs: Le Terret (1.3 km), Le Plat des Plats (2.1 km) and Lormay (1.1 km).
Blue trail: Le Terret (4 km), Le Bouchet (4.7 km), Les Vernes (5 km) and La Devallée (7.2 km).
Red slope: Les Poches (8.2 km) and Les Petays (8.7 km).
Black runs: La Bornandine (15.5 km) and Tour du Danay (12 km).

SKI UNDER THE STARS AT NIGHT!
Every Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm (from December 21 to March 29), the cross-country ski trails (from Les Plans to Lormay) are accessible at night, with headlamps.
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn cross-country skiing with the ESF Nordic!
0.jpg 1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg
3 Le col de la Colombière (Colombière pass)
Located at 1618 m altitude, open from June to October, it connects Le Grand-Bornand in the Arve valley. Starting point for hikes, it is also a classic cycle route used many times by the Tour de France.<br/>It is part of the Route des Grandes Alpes you must pause there for the panoramic view and maybe a glimpse of the ibex.
0.jpg 1.jpg
4 Carthusian monastery of Le Reposoir - Carmel
The old Carthusian monastery, now Carmel, is classified as a Historic Monument. In the shadow of Pointe Percée (2752m), it was founded in 1151 by Carthusian monks.<br/>The buildings, refurbished in 1686 and 1717, contain the old cells of the monks, the large and the small cloister in Flamboyant Gothic style (open for visits only during the European Heritage Days), the harmonious chapel (1480-1530) and the common rooms. After having cleared the soils for centuries and organized pastoral and agricultural life, the Carthusians left the place in 1901, leaving the place since 1932 to Carmelites.

Inside, the nuns broadcast a commented slide show about their way of life. A model of the buildings is also displayed.

Contact our heritage guide Anne-France Binder for a guided tour of the monument.
Do not hesitate to take a look at the chapel of John from Spain the Blessed to learn more about the origins of the building.
0.jpg 1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg
1817 meters of difference in height
  • Maximum altitude : 1626 m
  • Minimum altitude : 406 m
  • Total positive elevation : 1817 m
  • Total negative elevation : -1817 m
  • Max positive elevation : 275 m
  • Min positive elevation : -263 m
Close