Top 20 Mountain Passes around Saint-Just-D'Avray
Best mountain passes around Saint-Just-D'Avray are situated in the Beaujolais mountains, providing access to various routes for hiking and cycling. This region features diverse landscapes, including extensive forests, rolling mountains, and clear views. The area offers opportunities for outdoor activities across different terrains.
Best mountain passes around Saint-Just-D'Avray
- The most popular mountain passes is Le relais du Parasoir, a restaurant and viewpoint that is perched at 656 meters. It offers views of the Beaujolais vineyards, the village of Clochemerle,…
Last updated: June 26, 2026
Col de Saint-Bonnet
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Le relais du Parasoir
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Cambuse Pass
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Croix Papin Pass
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For the record, it took me 3 attempts to complete the entire route, the first having been …
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Col de la Croix des Fourches
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The Col de Saint-Bonnet, located in the heart of the Alps, offers a spectacular panorama of the surrounding mountains and green valleys. This pass, perched at an altitude of 1,499 metres, is a favourite passage for hikers and cyclists in search of magnificent landscapes. As you climb the slopes of the pass, the view gradually opens up onto the Alpine peaks, forests and flowery meadows.
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For a little refreshing break between 2 passes
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The Col de Saint-Bonnet is a beautiful pass in Beaujolais, culminating at 646 meters. The two main ascents are from Salles-Arbuissonas or Rivolet. Without great difficulty from Salles, it offers very beautiful panoramas of Beaujolais. Via Rivolet, the gradients are steeper in some sections, but the climb is short. You can then reach the Parasoir via the Col de la Vieille Morte, almost without any climbing.
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Col de la Croix des Fourches, in the middle of the forest, on the heights of the village of Saint-Just d'Avray.
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To do from Chambost-Allières, Rivolet. In the fog, the climb seemed very long to me. The percentages are low but the climb is quite long, 7 km at 4.5%. At the top you can go for a walk in St Cyr le Chatoux, take your gravel or mountain bike to go on the paths, go climb the Pyramid, eat and drink at the restaurant, continue on the ridge road which goes to the North by chaining the collars.
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Nice pass to do from: Chambost-Allières, Chamelet, Létra, La Saule d'Oingt in the extension of the Col du Chêne. Nice percentages on the Chamelet side, Létra and in the beginning of the ascent from Chambost, at the end the slope flattens out. From Chambost, we climb in a beautiful semi-mountain atmosphere. The connection from the Col du Chêne to the Joncin offers a magnificent view all along over the Azergues. It is the starting point of a beautiful forest trail in the Cantinière forest, to be done in gravel, and mountain bike trails.
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3 or even 5 possible climbs: from Azergues via Grandris 3: the main one, a small annex in less good condition from Grandris Haut and a terrible variant via Gondras with passages at 25% from Grandris bas. They all return to the main road before the pass. The main road and on a road in fairly good condition, little gradient 3/4% for about 9 km with beautiful landscapes and quite a few clear views. On the Rhine valley side, you can climb from Cublize (approximately 5% average but much shorter) or from Magny via Meaux la Montagne. On the latter the climb to Meaux is quite steep at 7/8% then after Meaux the slope is gentle not far from 2/3%. On these faces the landscapes are less clear but still appreciable. In summer be careful because good parts of the pass especially from the Rhine are in full dodger for quite a long time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best mountain passes for scenic views around Saint-Just-D'Avray?
For breathtaking panoramas, consider Le relais du Parasoir, which offers views of the Beaujolais vineyards, the village of Clochemerle, and the Saône valley. Another excellent choice is Col de Saint-Bonnet, providing extensive panoramas over the Beaujolais region. The Col de la Croix de Chal also offers wide-ranging views, including the Monts d'Or and the Matagrin tower.
Are there mountain passes suitable for cycling in the Saint-Just-D'Avray area?
Yes, the region is very popular with cyclists. The Le relais du Parasoir is a popular destination for cyclists, with an ascent starting directly from Saint-Just-d'Avray. The Col de la Croix de l'Orme is also a well-known cycling spot and part of the Grande Traversée du Rhône mountain bike route. You can find many road cycling routes, such as the 44.36 km 'Col de la Croix de l'Orme loop from Saint-Just-d'Avray', in the Road Cycling Routes around Saint-Just-D'Avray guide.
What kind of hiking trails can I find near the mountain passes?
The mountain passes around Saint-Just-D'Avray offer a variety of hiking experiences. For example, the Col de la Croix des Fourches is featured in a 9.81 km loop hike from Saint-Just-d'Avray, offering accessible and enjoyable walking. The Joncin Pass and Croix Papin Pass are part of a longer 17.7 km loop hike from Chambost-Allières, providing a more extended experience. Explore more options in the Hiking around Saint-Just-D'Avray guide.
Are there family-friendly options among the mountain passes?
While specific passes aren't exclusively designated as 'family-friendly,' many of the trails around passes like the Col de la Croix des Fourches offer accessible and enjoyable walking opportunities. The region's diverse landscapes, including forests and rolling mountains, provide pleasant settings for families to explore. Le relais du Parasoir is also categorized as family-friendly, offering a restaurant and viewpoint.
What are the typical gradients and terrain like on the mountain passes?
The passes in this region are generally not high-altitude alpine passes but offer varied terrain. For instance, Cambuse Pass features a main road with a gentle gradient of 3-4% for about 9 km, offering beautiful landscapes. The Col de la Croix des Fourches has a long but gradual ascent from the Azergues valley, with percentages becoming more interesting closer to Saint-Just-d'Avray, reaching 6-7% in the forest sections.
Can I find places to eat or rest near the mountain passes?
Yes, Le relais du Parasoir is a restaurant and viewpoint perched at 656 meters, offering a place to eat and enjoy the views. The Croix Papin Pass also has a picnic area, making it a convenient spot for a break.
What kind of natural features can I expect to see around the passes?
The mountain passes in the Saint-Just-D'Avray region are known for their diverse natural beauty. You'll encounter extensive forests, rolling mountains, and clear views. Passes like the Col de la Croix de l'Orme and Col de la Croix de Chal offer views of the Monts d'Or and the Matagrin tower, while others provide tranquil forest paths and open viewpoints.
Are there mountain biking opportunities near these passes?
Absolutely. The Col de la Croix de l'Orme is part of the Grande Traversée du Rhône mountain bike route, which features a mix of forest paths and physical climbs. The Col de la Croix de Chal also offers descents on trails and peaceful forest paths ideal for mountain biking. Croix de Paisselay is known as a junction for various mountain bike trails. You can find more routes in the Gravel biking around Saint-Just-D'Avray guide.
What do visitors enjoy most about the mountain passes in this area?
Visitors particularly appreciate the diverse landscapes, which include extensive forests, rolling mountains, and clear views. The variety of activities, from leisurely walks to challenging cycling routes, also makes the passes appealing to different types of outdoor enthusiasts. The peaceful atmosphere and scenic beauty are frequently highlighted by the komoot community.
Are there any long-distance hiking trails that pass through this region?
Yes, the GR7 long-distance hiking trail traverses mountains and forests in the area, offering panoramic views. The Col de la Croix de l'Orme is a potential bivouac point for experienced hikers tackling this 2-day, 37 km trail.
What is the best time of year to visit the mountain passes around Saint-Just-D'Avray?
The passes are generally enjoyable throughout the warmer months for hiking and cycling. During summer, some parts of the passes, especially from the Rhine side of Cambuse Pass, can be exposed to the sun for extended periods, so planning accordingly is advised. The forest sections, such as those around the Col de la Croix des Fourches, offer a refreshing atmosphere, especially in summer.
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