Natural sites | Le Grand Bornand

Breathtaking!

When it comes to nature, you’ll be spoilt for choice… at every turn of the path. From Mont Lachat de Châtillon, the panoramic highlight of the resort, to the Aravis mountain range, the backbone of the landscape, Grand-Bornand offers a succession of emblematic sites. Lac de la Cour in the heart of Maroly, the Col des Annes with its lively mountain pastures, the Col de la Colombière popular with cyclists, the confidential Vallée du Bouchet, Lac de Lessy suspended in its mineral cirque or the mysterious waterfall on the edge of the forest…

01. Mount Lachat in Châtillon

The highest point in the ski area in winter, at over 2000 m, it is also a renowned take-off point for hang-gliding.
There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a keen sportsman or a contemplative enthusiast, and an orientation table gives you an exceptional 360° panoramic view of the Jura, Bauges, Chablais, Bornes, Aravis and Bargy ranges, as well as the summit of Mont-Blanc and the highest peaks in the Alps.
Accessible only on skis during the winter season and for pedestrians during the summer season thanks to the ski lifts.

02. The Aravis mountain range

It is a fabulous alpine playground, summer and winter, amid the lapiaz and other grooves carved into the rock by erosion: hiking, major climbing routes, ski touring, mountaineering… all within easy reach of the Village!
The Pre-Alps limestone mountain range runs NE-SW for around 25 km. Its distinctive shape is made up of a succession of parallel valleys alternating with peaks such as Mont Charvet (2538 m), Mont Fleuri (2511 m), Tardevant (2501 m), Tête de Paccaly (2467 m), Roche Perfia (2499 m), Tête Pelouse (2537 m), Mont Charvin (2407 m) and the highest point, Pointe Percée (2750 m).

Discover

03. The Lac de la Cour

A pretty high-altitude lake dedicated to fishing, in the middle of the mountain pastures. Spectacular view of the Jalouvre, a mountain dominating the Col de la Colombière, on the route des Grandes Alpes.

04. The Bouchet valley

We invite you to discover this magnificent valley, the birthplace of Reblochon cheese, which stretches along the river “Le Borne” between the gently sloping mountain pastures of Mont Lachat and the steeper forests and rocky bars at the foot of the Aravis mountain range.
You’ll stroll through the hamlets, with their centuries-old chalets with anchelle or tavaillon (wooden tile) roofs, their chapels and the many farms that bear witness to the area’s thriving agricultural activity.

Live the experience

Book your Biathlon holiday

from669 €

Biathlon World Cup stay

Comme in Le Grand-Bornand in december 2025 to encourage Biathlon athletes during the IBU World Cup Biathlon.

05. The Col des Annes and its mountain pastures

At an altitude of 1720 m, at the foot of the Pointe Percée, the highest peak in the Aravis mountain range at 2750 m, there are a number of mountain restaurants and alpine farms with unique architecture and breathtaking views of the Aravis mountain range.

Live the experience

06. The Colombière pass

Located at an altitude of 1618 m and open from June to October, it links Le Grand-Bornand to the Arve Valley. A starting point for hikes, it is also a classic cycling route, used many times by the Tour de France.
A must on the Route des Grandes Alpes, it’s also a good place to stop and admire the views and the ibex that sometimes come to meet you.

Discover

©Col De La Colombiere Opening April 2023 J.cathala 1

©069aravis Tilbyvattard Rando E22|© TILBY VATTARD

07. Lake Lessy

A 5-hour round-trip hike from Chinaillon will take you to this mountain lake, which lies at the bottom of a combe at the foot of the ridge that stretches between the Pic du Jallouvre, the Buclon and the Aiguille Verte.
From the ridge, there is a superb view of the Aravis mountains, Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and the Jura. The lake is at an altitude of 1730 m on the GR96.

Discover

08. The mysterious waterfall

Legend has it that this pretty waterfall on the Nant du Chinaillon, tumbling down a narrow gorge for around thirty metres, was the place where the very first Bornand couple met…
It’s more of a walk than a hike, a pleasant and refreshing one in the shade of the Grand-Bornand Chinaillon beech forest. The waterfall is a twenty-minute walk away.

Live the experience