Le Grand-Abergement can be explored through different travel interests: cross-country skiing on the Plateau de Retord, trails around the Chapelle de Retord and local architectural history each offer a distinct focus. For planning, it is worth keeping these topics separate. For cross-country skiing, the trail network and route lengths matter; for hiking and snowshoe routes, difficulty and trail markings also come into play. The chapel and farm, in turn, offer specific construction and restoration dates as cultural points of reference. This lets you plan your stay around whether sports routes or local history take priority.
Cross-country skiing on the Plateau de Retord
The three access points to the Plateau de Retord are connected by more than 150 kilometres of marked cross-country ski trails; the Chapelle access point is one of them. At the Porte de la Chapelle de Retord access point, there are three trails: a green one measuring 4 kilometres, a blue one measuring 7 kilometres and a black one measuring 23 kilometres. These distances make the three options directly comparable. First, consider which route length suits your day of cross-country skiing.
The figure of more than 150 kilometres describes the connected trail network, while the 4-, 7- and 23-kilometre routes are specific options at the Porte access point. Trail conditions can vary by season; the piste configuration should also be checked again before your trip. This lets you plan around the specific routes at the access point you have in mind, rather than treating the network’s total length as a single tour.
Hiking and snowshoeing
For the loop trail to the Chapelle de Retord, the rating updated on 23 December 2024 gives different assessments depending on the activity: it is rated very easy for hiking and easy for snowshoeing. If you are choosing between the two options, read the rating for the activity you plan to do.
Snowshoe loop trails at the Porte de la Chapelle access point are no longer marked. As marking policies can change, check the situation on site. A tourism map also lists 11 loop trails on the Plateau de Retord, with starting points including the Chapelle access point; check which ones are marked before setting off. Difficulty ratings and trail markings answer different questions: a difficulty rating does not tell you whether a trail is currently marked.
Chapelle de Retord and Golet Belon farm
The present-day Chapelle de Retord was built in 1852. Its construction date provides a clear historical reference for anyone who wants to include the area’s architectural history in their travel plans, alongside its trails.
Another local point of interest is the Golet Belon farm in Le Grand-Abergement, at an altitude of 1,150 metres. The farm was originally called “Sur l'avallaz”. In spring 2014, its roof and its “dreffia” were restored. The dates refer to different events: 1852 is the year the chapel was built, while spring 2014 marks the restoration of these two features of the farm. Together, these details offer two distinct reference points for the area’s architectural history.
Choose the focus of your stay
When planning, you can first decide which theme you want your trip to centre on. If you want to focus on cross-country skiing, you can compare the three route lengths at the Porte access point. For hiking or snowshoe routes, it is important to check the activity-specific rating and verify trail markings separately. Those interested in heritage can find different construction and restoration dates at the chapel and the farm. Decide on this focus before comparing accommodation and daily itineraries; this will help tailor your search to the kind of stay you are actually planning.
Discover more destinations: Peyrieu, Saint-Rambert-En-Bugey, Villars-Les-Dombes, Ambérieu-en-Bugey, Cerdon, Francheleins, Hauteville-Lompnes, Sainte-Julie.
For the broader travel overview: Ain.
