Hiking - Le Panorama du Lacat - Colombier n° 2

Without too much effort, this trail, starting from the village of Colombier on the final southern slopes of the Pilat, allows you to ascend near the peaks, traversing a wide variety of landscapes. Several viewpoints offer stunning vistas of the Alps across the Rhône valley. You will follow ancient stone-paved paths (be careful, as they can be slippery when wet), pass a few listed crosses, and walk through vast pastures and old mountain forests.

From the town hall square, head down the D8 for 25m towards Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette, then turn left in front of the former coaching inn (statue of the Virgin Mary, old road sign). The track begins opposite the cemetery. When you reach the stone cross, turn right, follow the path for 300m, then fork right to enter a wooded area that will take you to the place known as Les Mines at 880 m (former lead mines). Just above, at the fork, continue straight on for 400m towards Les Roches, cross the paved road, and carry on for 950 m before forking right to climb up into a wood. Follow a tree-lined lane that leads to the Ferme du Prince. Before the farm, in front of the pond, take a path on the right that climbs across a large meadow, then descends to the water reservoir that supplies the village.

At the reservoir, take the paved road to the left, go straight across the D63 to climb a wide track that, 700m later, emerges at a viewpoint (Alt 1140 m) where you can admire both the Alps and the peaks of the Pilat. Fork left towards Crêt de la Perdrix. 580m further on, you will reach the highest point of the walk in the woods: 1203 m.

Head back down via a sunken lane on the left to go straight across the D63 at the Croix de la Loge. Follow the paved road to the next cross (Croix du Prince). Continue straight for another 250 m, then leave the road on your left and take the path opposite that goes straight into the woods. The path soon follows the ridge, then descends back to the road, which you take to the right for about 100m. Here you will join the Park's Sentier des Barrages (brown and white markers), which goes off to the left and leads you back to Colombier along an old stone path. At Le Plâtre (listed cross), go down the paved street to a second cross (adorned with a skull on its base). Take the path on the left, which comes out onto the village's main street.

⚠️ Warning: this is a busy road, please be careful.

You are responsible for your own safety. Therefore, all hikes are undertaken at your own risk. Stay on the marked trails to protect fragile ecosystems.

A few recommendations:

• Check the weather forecast before setting out


• Some routes cross busy roads: Please be careful


• Keep dogs on a leash


• Do not light fires


• Carry out your trash


• Enjoy the flowers, but do not pick them.


• Tick bites can lead to serious illnesses. To prevent them: wear clothing that covers your skin, use insect repellent, check your body upon your return, remove any ticks with a tick remover tool without applying any substance to them, and see a doctor if a rash appears, you develop flu-like symptoms, or if you are in a high-risk group.


• For emergency services, dial 18 or 112.