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Walking route -" On the former smuggler's trail"
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Description
This walk follows the footsteps of former smugglers and customs officers who criss-crossed the region until the 1950s.
The view over the Illiez and Abondance valleys reveal a fraction of the many routes taken by the smugglers on their clandestine operations. Their encounters have left some wonderful and revealing stories in this frontier region which are starting to fade from memory.
To learn more about their aventures, you can rent a special battery pack from the "Vieille Douane" or Châtel Tourisme, between mid-June and September, which activates the audio posts ("borne sonore") along the way.
From the old customs building "Vieille Douane", follow the RD22 road to Morgins for about 100 metres, then take the track that leads straight to the border and to markers 1737 and 1891.
Carry on towards "La Pointe du Midi". There's a shorcut for families to head back through the forest, if needed.
For a harder walk, head along the border ridge by the "Plan des Mitres", to the "Col de Fecon". Head home via the "Perthuis" chalets and "Aity" before arriving at the "Vieille Douane".
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Date and time
- From 01/06/2026 to 31/10/2026
Additional information
Contact
Phone : 04 50 73 22 44
Email : touristoffice@chatel.com
Open period
From 01/06 to 31/10 daily.
Accessible outside of snowy periods and depending on weather conditions. Please check with the Tourist Office in advance to find out the current access conditions. Recommended period for use: spring, summer, and autumn.
Updated by
Châtel Tourisme - 07/08/2025
www.chatel.com
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Environments
Mountain view
Mountain location
Type of land
Stone
Ground
Not suitable for strollers
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
Châtel walking map for €3
Topo guide "Balades et randonnées en Vallée d'Abondance" (Walks and hikes in the Abondance Valley) for €5
Portes du Soleil walking map for €4
(Maps for sale at the tourist office)
Map references :
Top 25 IGN 3528 ET
Location complements
Departure from the Lake Vonnes lift ticket office car park.
Shuttle line 4 stop Gabelou (July & August).
Reception complements
Whichever walk you choose, we recommend that you :
- Wear appropriate footwear and always take with you: warm clothing, preferably waterproof, plenty of water, sunglasses, sun cream and a small first-aid kit.
- Do not set off alone.
- Inform someone living in the valley of your plans.
- Do not change the planned itinerary indiscriminately. But do not hesitate to shorten it if necessary.
- Carry a map and even a torch.
- Check the weather forecast before setting off.
- In the event of a thunderstorm, move away from ridges, passes and summits as soon as possible and never take shelter under an isolated tree.
Tricky passages
Some steep and aerial passages
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/From the old customs building "Vieille Douane", follow the RD22 road to Morgins for about 100 metres, then take the track that leads straight to the border and to markers 1737 and 1891.
2/Carry on towards "La Pointe du Midi".
There's a shorcut for families to head back through the forest, if needed. For a harder walk, head along the border ridge by the "Plan des Mitres", to the "Col de Fecon".
3/Head home via the "Perthuis" chalets and "Aity" before arriving at the "Vieille Douane".
Animals
Yes. Dogs must be kept on a lead due to the presence of herds.
Data author
