Col de Borneronde Hike

Route Description for Col de Borneronde Hike

Start from the La Duche car park just below the bar and restaurant with the same name. Turn to face downhill to take the signposted, wide gravel track by the chalet. After a bend in the track, you will see a river in front of you. Take the heavy wooden bridge on the left to avoid having to cross the wet, slippery rocks.

Follow the track, which veers to the right and up the hill into the forest. Around 100 m along the trail, there is a signpost where you can choose to take the reverse, clockwise circuit to the Col de Borneronde. Clockwise, the ascent is more consistently uphill, with a longer, more varied descent.

The anti-clockwise route described in this post, has a gentler, longer ascent with small sections of flat or downhill tracks, then a shorter, steeper descent which is still easy enough for beginner hikers or those without hiking poles. For the anti-clockwise hike to the Col de Borneronde, take the trail on the right.

Follow the signs to the Sur le Saix lookout point. Close to the lookout point, the constant ascent flattens and there are some logs cut into seats to sit and rest, if required. From the lookout point, take in the views overlooking the Aravis chain of mountains, including Pointe Percée.

To continue the hike, retrace your steps for 100 m, where the sign post indicates the direction for the Col de Borneronde. Follow the sign towards the col, where the track becomes steeper and rockier.

As the path narrows, the trees thin out and blueberry bushes cover the ground. Carry on along the trail, past ornate broken tree trunks and scenic views on both sides of the track as you hike up the wide crest.

At the top, there is a lookout point on the left. Keep your eyes peeled for ibex and other wildlife along the distant ridge. Continue down the track, where shrubs with flowers replace the blueberry bushes. A little further on, before the Col de Borneronde, a picnic table in the shade makes the perfect spot for lunch.

As you approach the col, the scenery changes once more, with open fields of wildflowers between the forest sections. At the col, you can choose to continue hiking further afield or complete the circuit back to the Bois de la Duche, following the signs at the col and taking a sharp left down the hill, past wild strawberry plants on both sides of the trail.

The track winds under the Col des Annes chairlift, passing through open fields, woods, and the odd stream. To the right, you might spot the small chapel in the distance between the trees.

After a final steep descent, you're back at the first crossroad of the circuit, around 100 m from the river with the wooden bridge. Turn right to return to the river, where you might like to dip your feet in the ice-cold snow melt from higher up. The car park is just a short walk from here, giving you the chance to cool down on a hot day before you drive away.

Insider Hints for Col de Borneronde Hike

• This is a wonderful hike for families, but do be aware that the safety barriers at the lookout points are easy for kids to climb under or simply don’t exist.
• The hike is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
• Go late in the summer if you wish to collect wild blueberries.
• A nice addition to this hike is to take the short trail to the Col des Annes, where there is a summer dairy farm where you can buy cheese and a restaurant and bar for a mid-hike refreshment.
• For a much longer hike, take the circuit to the Col de l’Oulettaz from the Col de Borneronde, which returns to the Col de Borneronde.
• The La Duche restaurant and bar by the car park is open during the peak summer months and offers good-quality, traditional meal options. You can also use the bathroom here (if you’re a customer).
• Bring binoculars to get a better view of the surrounding ridges, where wildlife can often be spotted (particularly when there’s still snow).