Office de tourisme d'Oyonnax et sa région
The pine-tree trail in Haut-Bugey…
At an altitude of between 500 and 1144 m, the "Route des Sapins", the pine-tree trail, is a discovery trail for nature-lovers and tourists alike: lush pastures, coniferous and broad-leaved forests, inviting Southern Jura passes, lakes and historic villages cling to the Ain mountain slopes…
Enjoy the open spaces and the clear clean air, on a network of rural and forest pathways …
The passing of the seasons :
In springtime, the pine-tree trail delights the visitor's gaze with an exuberant display of thousands of wildflowers, transforming the highland pastures into a fragrant floral carpet.
In summer or autumn, the natural riches of the trail are set off by a profusion of brilliant changing colours.
In winter, part of the route is impassable, but on cleared stretches, alpine or nordic skiers can gain access, through a virgin landscape, to the resorts of Belleydoux, Echallon, Lancharre, Brénod, Apremont, Hauteville, La Praille, Cormaranche, Les Teillères, Lalleyriat and Le Poizat.
Practical considerations:
Accessible by car, motorbike or bicycle, the Route des Sapins forms a total circuit of 240 km, only some sections of which, although still passable by car, are not tarred. As it traverses deep woodland, it is subject to forestry regulations and some sectors may be temporarily closed for woodland management.
If you have enjoyed the Route des Sapins, you'll want to learn more about its natural heritage: its geology, flowers and fungi, its lichens, birds and insects, fauna and reptiles; ask for the book of the Route des Sapins " Richesses naturelles de la Route des Sapins " (Natural riches of the Route des Sapins), on sale for €10 in the Oyonnax, Nantua and Hauteville tourist offices, as well as in selected newsagents.
The pine-tree trail in Haut-Bugey…
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At an altitude of between 500 and 1144 m, the "Route des Sapins", the pine-tree trail, is a discovery trail for nature-lovers and tourists alike: lush pastures, coniferous and broad-leaved forests, inviting Southern Jura passes, lakes and historic villages cling to the Ain mountain slopes…
Enjoy the open spaces and the clear clean air, on a network of rural and forest pathways …
The passing of the seasons :
In springtime, the pine-tree trail delights the visitor's gaze with an exuberant display of thousands of wildflowers, transforming the highland pastures into a fragrant floral carpet.
In summer or autumn, the natural riches of the trail are set off by a profusion of brilliant changing colours.
In winter, part of the route is impassable, but on cleared stretches, alpine or nordic skiers can gain access, through a virgin landscape, to the resorts of Belleydoux, Echallon, Lancharre, Brénod, Apremont, Hauteville, La Praille, Cormaranche, Les Teillères, Lalleyriat and Le Poizat.
Practical considerations:
Accessible by car, motorbike or bicycle, the Route des Sapins forms a total circuit of 240 km, only some sections of which, although still passable by car, are not tarred. As it traverses deep woodland, it is subject to forestry regulations and some sectors may be temporarily closed for woodland management.
If you have enjoyed the Route des Sapins, you'll want to learn more about its natural heritage: its geology, flowers and fungi, its lichens, birds and insects, fauna and reptiles; ask for the book of the Route des Sapins " Richesses naturelles de la Route des Sapins " (Natural riches of the Route des Sapins), on sale for €10 in the Oyonnax, Nantua and Hauteville tourist offices, as well as in selected newsagents.