Col du Genepy (2903m) loop

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Author

Aviva.laub

3,466 141 2870

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Trail stats

Distance: 8.91 mi
Elevation gain: 3,678 ft
Technical difficulty: Difficult
Elevation loss: 3,678 ft
Max elevation: 9,353 ft
TrailRank: 49
Min elevation: 5,712 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 3 hours 58 minutes
Time: 6 hours 36 minutes
Coordinates: 2552
Uploaded: September 7, 2023
Recorded: September 2023

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near La Motte, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France)

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Itinerary description

Starting at Pont de la Peche parking, follow the Cirque du Genepy signed route for the first ~5km. At around 4.7 km from the start you leave the Cirque trail at a point marked by a large cairn. Here you begin a steep climb up the moraine following a path until you reach a small plateau below the Col. From here the route is marked by cairns and continues over larger rocky terrain. The Col is marked by a very large rock cairn, Stunning views on all sides.

You can see a small but brilliantly coloured alpine lake on the other side, I made my way down to the shores without a path or route markers, it is just a matter of choosing the best way through the moraine and loose rocks. From the lake I followed the stream down the very steep grassy slope to the valley seen below - no path or route markers but the valley visible below makes it clear where you are heading. Once in the valley a cow path is visible to follow to the right of the river until you connect back to the main trail. From here it is a clearly marked rest of the way down.

I rated this as difficult due to the steepness of terrain both during ascent and descent, and the necessity to route find. An absolutely gorgeous hike though and the little alpine lake is a real gem.

NOTE: my garmin watch recorded the distance as 15.84km and 1307m elevation gain - just for reference for planning as the wikiloc recording is not as accurate.