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FR-01 Lake Genin – Gravel 40 km, elevation gain 900 m, 4 passes

Author description

Author : Philippe Chazottier
Course : completed on 17 August 2025
Departure Location: Apremont, south of Oyonnax. Roadside car park 500 m before the southern entrance to the village.

Tourist information

The Oyonnax forest and the surrounding area Lake Genin are nicknamed «Little Canada»: a haven of coolness in the summer and faced with overtourism, some blame «social evils», the winter is particularly harsh with frost taking over the waters of the lake; skating is even possible here, as is ice diving!
Le Lake Genin has the distinctive feature of being privately owned. However, an inn and a campsite run by the owners allow visitors to enjoy it to the full without any apparent restrictions on access.
There is a large car park next to it, but I would advise avoiding it as it gets very busy on sunny days.
A 20-minute drive from Apremont, the site of Dinoplagne allows you to see the largest dinosaur footprint site known to date.

Technical specifications

Suitable for cycling at 98%, the route is mostly on roads and does not present any major difficulties. During my trip, I abandoned the idea of reaching Golet de Roche-Taillée (FR-01-0914b) and Collet de Châtel (FR-01-0760) because of the rough forest tracks.

4 collars

1 – Golet Brandeu	880 m	EN-01-0880
2 – Golet des Amboutillieux	960 m	EN-01-0960
3 – The Basset Corridor	995 m	EN-01-0995a
4 – Sentier Pass	979 m	EN-01-0979a

Keywords : Genin, Apremont, Oyonnax, Centcols

Openrunner link, interactive map, profile, track : https://www.openrunner.com/route-details/23068650

This itinerary is provided for information only. The author accepts no liability, nor that of the Club des Cent Cols, for any imponderables due to the cyclist himself, the equipment used or anything to do with the road, tracks and paths, their surroundings or other users.

Photos