Pass located at an altitude of 1613 m, it connects the Thônes and Grand-Bornand valleys with the Arve valley. By car, motorbike or bicycle, the Col de la Colombière is a must-see on the Route des Grandes Alpes. The restaurants there will allow you to take a break, time to admire the landscapes and take beautiful photos of the Col de la Colombière.
A pass on the road to the great Alps
The highest road pass in Bornes
From Le Grand-Bornand, the road leading to the Col de la Colombière winds through the pastures, offering a plunging view of the resort's typical chalets below. The first bends in the road leading to Chinaillon reveal an overview sometimes on the Tournette massif, sometimes on the northern ridges of the Aravis to the summit of Pointe Percée. Before reaching the pass, the road runs along the rocky bar of the Pic de Jallouvre. A large parking lot makes it easy to stop once at the top, while to admire the magnificent landscape and take some photos. If you go up there at the end of the season or in spring, check that it is open because the pass is generally closed in winter between November and May.
In cyclo mode
Borrowed 22 times by the Tour de France, the Col de la Colombière is a classic of the region. From Le Grand-Bornand, its ascent is rolling with a fairly constant and sustained slope (5,9% on average) without ever going beyond 9%. Milestones accompany you all along the route indicating the incline and the remaining kilometers. The false flat of Chinaillon allows you to recover before tackling the last steepest kilometers. Arrived at the pass, you will then have covered 11,7 km.
A break is in order
The sublime panorama that opens up before you at the top of the pass is worth a photo break, but also...
Restaurant La Colombiere
Whether you are driving, motorcycling, cycling or walking, a break is a must when you reach the top of the pass to admire the magnificent view that awaits you. You can sit down for a drink or a bite to eat in a traditional mountain restaurant, La Colombière. This family restaurant for generations offers its cheese specialties and revisited Savoyard cuisine.
Chez Michel
Away from the road, accessible by a passable path, the Aufferand refuge also called Chez Michel welcomes you in an authentic atmosphere with its old-fashioned gingham tablecloths. Nestled in the heart of nature in the middle of the mountain pastures, this typical restaurant concocts delicious local dishes with farm produce. Among others: potato fritters, diots, white tomme and blueberry tart without forgetting the cheese platter...
The Venay chalet
In winter, these two restaurants are closed but the Venay chalet, between Le Chinaillon and the pass remains open. This authentic renovated alpine farm showcases Savoyard specialties. Friendly atmosphere and smiles guaranteed. In winter, snowshoe evenings are organized with guided walks followed by a good meal in a friendly atmosphere.
Souvenir shops
At the pass you will find something to bring back some souvenirs of your visit which will complement the beautiful photos you may have taken.
Activities at the Col de la Colombière
The Col de la Colombière is not just a place to pass through. It offers multiple activities to discover all its beauties!
Hiking
Bargy side
Many hiking trails start from the pass and crisscross the Bargy range to reach remarkable points such as Peyre Lake (2080 m and 467 m of elevation gain), the Peak of Jallouvre (2408 m and 795 m of elevation gain), Balafrasse Point (2296 m and 683 m of elevation gain) or even Montarquis cave (2100 m and 487 m of elevation). This cave dug at the foot of the Bargy tower bears witness to the work of water erosion on the limestone and can be explored by caving.
Aufferand side
On the other side of the pass, a round trip route takes you at the Head of Aufferand (1983 m and 560 m of altitude difference) through the beautiful mountain pasture of the same name and its herds of cows and sheep. At the summit, you will have a breathtaking view of the Bargy chain and its peaks: Jallouvre, Pointe Blanche, Pointe du Midi, Grand Bargy and Petit Bargy.
To climb up
For climbing lovers, La Colombière is a complete spot: blocks, cliffs and big routes await you. On the path leading to the Montarquis caves at around 1700 m altitude, you will find the bouldering spot, a veritable rocky chaos formed following a huge landslide. The cliff site is located at 1800 m altitude on the path leading to Jallouvre, a short half-hour walk from the pass. You will climb in an exceptional setting! Finally, the multi-pitch routes of Pointe Dzérat are a 1-hour walk from the pass. Three pillars forming a 250 m high bar offer a multitude of multi-pitch routes. For climbing, it is necessary to get close to the Thônes-Manigod Guides Office.
The via ferrata of the Tour de Jallouvre
This via ferrata is above all a mountain route on a beautiful summit. With a length of 1100 m for a height difference of 620 m, it allows you to reach a antecipe of the Jallouvre at an altitude of 2000 m.
Observe biodiversity
The valleys of the pass are rich in a varied flora and fauna. A digestive well known to the locals and nicknamed the crapaudine is made from yellow hyssop that you can find in particular on the grassy slopes of the pass. On these same slopes and with a bit of luck, you might see a few rare ibex having survived the sad episodes of brucellosis. The marmots as for them, many will whistle as you pass by. Finally, also remember to look up to the sky, because the star of Bargy, the bearded vulture is not far. A pair nests in the cliffs above the pass and it is not uncommon to see them circling around looking for a carcass.
