Hiking – The Tour des Forts by the Télémix des Chalmettes and the Gondrans chairlift
Hiking – The Tour des Forts by the Télémix des Chalmettes and the Gondrans chairlift
Montgenèvre
Thanks to the ski lifts, you can easily reach the high altitude forts of Les Gondrans, part of the Maginot Line. All that’s left to do is climb Mont Janus to reach the fort and its panoramic views.
Once at Fort Janus, don't hesitate to go to the end of the plateau: there you will find a bunker and a breathtaking view!
Highest point: 2450 m (Fort du Janus)
Route type: loop
Distance: 13 km
Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes
Elevation gain: 365 m
Elevation gain –: 1093 m
ITINERARY
1. Take the Chalmettes telemix.
2. On arrival, turn right and follow the track which goes down towards the Gondrans chairlift. Borrow it.
3. On arrival, turn left towards Cabane des douaniers (towards the large wooden panels) to find a path along the ridge. The path goes down until it joins a track at the buried fort of Gondran E (can be visited; information at the Tourist Office).
4. Turn right on the track and go up it.
5. At the next junction, turn left onto the track which winds down through the forts. At the next intersection, turn right, then right again.
6. Continue straight ahead (on your right, a stele of the 159th RIA) until the “Military land” sign. Take the right track which goes up, then immediately left on the path.
7. Arriving at the foot of Mount Janus, take the military road which leads to the summit and the fort (can be visited; information at the Tourist Office). Go back down the same path to the stele of the 159th RIA.
8. At the stele, turn left towards the large rusty sign to find the start of the path which will take you back to the start of the Gondrans chairlift.
9. Pass the chairlift and take the La Durance mountain bike trail which goes down to your right (at the edge of the trail, priority for mountain bikers).
10. At the next intersection, leave the mountain bike trail and turn left on the path (direction Pont de la Durance).
11. You join a track, turn right and go up the track to the nets.
12. At the nets, turn left via the special pedestrian crossing. On the other side of the nets, follow the path on your left which descends gently to Durancia.
Equipment
- Parking nearby
- Car park
- Public WC
- Picnic area
- Orientation board
Services
- Accessible via ski lift
Rates
Adult: 13.50 €
Child (6-14 years): 13.50 €.
Child (6-14 years): 13.50 €.
Means of payment
- Check
- Bank/credit card
- Cash
TMX des Chalmettes
Next to Durancia
05100 Montgenèvre
Next to Durancia
05100 Montgenèvre
Telephone : 04 92 21 52 52
Email: E-mail
Website : Website
Facebook page : Facebook
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Languages spoken
- Italian
- English
- French
Updated on 04/30/2026 – Montgenèvre Tourist Office –Suggest an edit
