TRAIL Route - Le Grand Bec

Grand Bec Trail - Difficulty: Very challenging
Distance: 27 km
1650 m uphill/1650 m downhill

The Grand Bec Alpine Trail – established over twenty years ago – has been lengthened slightly to provide a loop. An exceptional journey into the heart of the Champagny mountains. For experienced runners who love long wild trips! Warning: route not signposted on the ground. GPS Trace downloadable from http://ete.la-plagne.com/activites/trail.html.

From the centre of Champagny take the trail in the direction of Villard Dessus and le Chatelard to the area around Porcière. From here, follow the traversing path that leads to le Chalet des Verdons Sud, and then take the trail to the top of the gondola.

You now go down through the woods and through the hamlet of Planay, finally coming out of Champagny village to join the Plan des Mains trail into the valley of Champagny le Haut. Follow the stream through the valley – first on the left bank and then on the right – until the steep climb above the hamlet of le Bois.

Plunge down once again into the valley and head for the dam at the valley entrance. Then set off on the return trip on the Ubac (north-facing) side of the mountain, down through the forest and back to the starting point.