Sporty hikes at Grand ColombierSporty hikes at Grand Colombier
©Sporty hikes at Grand Colombier|Benjamin Becker/ Aintourisme
Hiking at Grand ColombierHiking at Grand Colombier
©Hiking at Grand Colombier|Benjamin Becker/ Aintourisme
Youth Group tourYouth Group tour
©Youth Group tour|Benjamin Becker
Group hiking and landscapeGroup hiking and landscape
©Group hiking and landscape|Benjamin Becker

Top sports hikes in Ain

Discover the Ain’s sporty hiking trails. Trails that climb, descend and sweat – all with a view that’s worth the detour. Ready for a challenge?

Ain in sports mode When vertical drops meet panoramic views...

The Ain is often regarded as a hiking region that is accessible to all, with a forgiving approach to difficulty, thanks to its predominantly Nordic terrain. However, the Ain is no exception, with panoramic views rewarding most outings and slopes that rise steeply enough to test the mettle of seasoned sportsmen and women.

Le Colomby de Gex 14.5 km - 6h

From the Colomby de Gex ridges, the view is breathtaking: Lake Geneva stretches as far as the eye can see, with the Alps as a backdrop. The entrance to the cirque de Branveau reveals a bucolic setting where it’s not uncommon to spot chamois, discreet but always present.

In the footsteps of the smugglers 20 km - 8:30 a.m.

The promise of total immersion in a picture-postcard setting and a vertical ascent in 8h30 for some 1370 meters of cumulative positive vertical drop. From the murmur of France’s first wild river to grandiose panoramas from the highest peaks of the Jura Massif, every step reveals a raw, unspoilt nature.

The banks of the Ain 23.6 km - 6h40

23.6 km for breathtaking views of the deep meanders of the Gorges de l’Ain. The trail winds along the ridges, revealing spectacular panoramic views of the peaceful Allement dam reservoir and Chambod Island, nestled in the heart of the river. Between rhythmic climbs and panoramic descents, this sporty loop promises a perfect balance between effort and contemplation.

The Grand Colombier from Munet 15.8 km - 7h

Ready for a vertical kilometer? The ascent of the Grand Colombier on the Valromey side of the mountain begins gently under the cover of the undergrowth, passing the Vierge de la Combe. The path gradually rises, revealing a breathtaking panorama from the summit: Mont Blanc, Lac du Bourget and the Jura mountains are revealed in a 360° view.

The right idea

To take the side roads... Need a guide?

In the Ain region, that’s what mountain guides are there for. They know the trails like the back of their hand, find the best spots and make sure you don’t end the hike in Koh-Lanta mode… while giving you all the information you need to enjoy the scenery!

La Croix d'Innimond 12.6 km - 4h

The start from Appregnin is quiet. Then, very quickly, the climb becomes more intense and the thighs heat up a little. Then, at the top, the reward for all your effort is a breathtaking view from the Croix d’Innimond. The southern Bugey region spreads out beneath you, with the Alps on the horizon. A fun hike that sports enthusiasts will be happy to set aside half a day for…

Did you know? The Ain mountains, a breath of fresh air between Lyon and Geneva

Between gentle ridges, silent forests and open panoramas of the Alps and Jura, it offers the ideal playground to escape for the duration of a hike. A breath of fresh air… without going to the ends of the earth!