Circuit des Gorges de la Pontille

Starting point: Champagny le Bas, Le Planay, carpark "Via Ferrata des Grosses Pierres", Rue de la Tante Angèle
Arrival: idem
Duration: 2:20 hrs (1h uphill)
Distance: 6.3 km
Positive drop: 472 m
Type: loop

0/ From the Planay district, at the Via Ferrata car park, go straight ahead on a wide marked path. At the crossroads, on the left, a narrower path climbs up, passes the foot of the "Grosses Pierres" via ferrata and joins the road to Champagny le Haut.

1/ Cross the road, go straight on for a few metres then take the path which climbs on the left to "Plan des Mains" (sign) and which passes near the chapel of Plan des Main.

2/ Continue on the path which passes under the via ferrata of "Plan du Bouc" and which goes downhill to "La Couaz" (EDF dam).

3/ Cross the road, the car park and the wooden bridge.
[Picnic tables and barbecues on the left after the bridge if you wish].
After the bridge, take the path on the right that rises above the Pontille gorges (sign). On the descent, at the 2nd crossroads, on the right (sign - Combe de Verdon - indicating "Champagny Le Bas - Liotraz"), the path goes down to join a track below which leads to the Pont des Chailles (alt. 1192 m).

4/ Cross the bridge on the tarmac road, take the 1st road on the right (in front of the carpenter's shop). At the 2nd right (in the bend), take a small narrow path lined with trees (short cut) which brings you to the street "rue des Perrières". Take a climbing tarmac path (with barriers) opposite; you arrive in the Rue des Eculés. Turn left, follow the road and at the crossroads turn right into the old Bozel road. Continue and at the end of the road, you will arrive at the via ferrata car park, near the rue de la Tante Angèle (starting point).