Identifying the 35 bumps circuits of Fontainebleau can seem impressive at first given how wide the palette offered is and how diverse the practitioner profiles are; whether looking for a quick family getaway or a real challenge, each course harbors its nuances – between careful marking and attentive effort management.
An expert overview quickly gives the right codes to anticipate what’s needed – equipment, vigilance, useful tips – and consider the experience from an open angle (never simplistic though).
Tools like the GPX Fontainebleau trace or recent topo-guides help refine your strategy on the ground, encourage sharing opinions, and facilitate first steps: that’s the whole spirit of Fontainebleau sandstone, where everyone finds material to surpass themselves.
Key Points Summary
- ✅ The diversity of circuits allows all profiles, from family to confirmed athlete, to find their adapted course.
- ✅ GPX traces and topo-guides are essential tools to effectively prepare your outing.
- ✅ Effort management and marking are key elements to fully enjoy the 35 bumps.
The 35 Essential Bumps of Fontainebleau: Immediate Answer, Sectorized List and Practical Resources
To get a clear view of Fontainebleau’s 35 flagship courses, with their accessible level, topo, and key points, here’s a truly reliable summary to guide your choice, avoid any logistical misstep, and prepare your outing efficiently.
These famous “bumps” cross all the variety of bouldering, from the very gentle Green circuit for children to the Black reserved for initiates, distributed in distinct zones: Bas Cuvier, Apremont, Trois Pignons, Franchard, Rocher Saint-Germain, etc.
You’ll find between 20 and 100 marked boulders depending on the course, over distances ranging from 0.5 miles (discovery circuit) to more than 4.3 miles (25 bumps), and elevation gains that can surprise: up to 3,600 ft of elevation gain on the 35 bumps grand loop.
These benchmarks come from official topos (Bleau.info, Fontainebleau Climbs guidebook, Boulder Font Guide), and their GPX traces are available with one click, as are PDF sheets adapted to sector or level.
| Bump/Circuit | Sector | Color/Level | Distance (mi) | Difficulty | Access (parking) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 bumps | Trois Pignons | Red (intermediate/advanced) | 10.3 | 2,625 ft elev., 5-7h hike | “Le Bois Rond” Parking |
| 35 bumps | Trois Pignons | Black (expert) | 16.2 | 3,600 ft elev., 8.5-11h hike | “Noisy” Parking |
| Green Escape | Mont Ussy | Green (beginner, children) | 1.4 | Sandy ground, easy | Ussy Parking |
| Blue TD Cuvier | Bas Cuvier | Blue (easy to intermediate) | 1.9 | Mix edges/slabs | Bas Cuvier Parking |
| Red TD+ Isatis | Franchard Isatis | Red (intermediate) | 2.6 | Rough/grip, non-exposed moves | Isatis Parking |
Complete topo, GPX file or PDF version? Find them directly with one click on Bleau.info (for each course in detail) or on Boulder Font Guide.
It’s noted that the 25 bumps loop totals 10.3 miles for 2,625 ft elevation gain – plan an average of 5 to 7 hours of hiking; for the supreme challenge of the 35 bumps, expect 16.2 miles and 3,600 ft elevation gain for the day.
So-called “children’s” circuits, like Mont Ussy or Calvaire, are limited to 1.5 miles, perfect for a first approach (several local families recommend starting this way).
Fontainebleau and the Circuit Philosophy: History, Marking and Bump Diversity
It’s in Fontainebleau that modern bouldering emerged, each colored circuit – or “bump” – carrying within it the little history of sandstone.
Already in the 1950s, thanks to figures like Fred Bernick, more than a hundred courses were marked to guide all types of climbers in this complex massif.
Circuits differ by their marking (pictorial points, numbered), their style (slabs, acrobatic edges, dynamic moves, tough overhangs), but also by their access – some, like Bas Cuvier or Apremont, are frequently cited as “first attempt bumps,” when Black loops or the 35 bumps remain challenges in their own right.
What to retain from this strange labyrinth? It circulates locally that no one travels Bleau identically twice: each discovery brings new passages or reveals an ignored variant.
A trainer from the Franchard club recently recalled that you sometimes cross three generations in the same sector, each following their own trail…
Summary Table of Sectors and Colors
To facilitate orientation, here’s a synthesis of the distribution of the 35 main circuits:
| Sector | Colors/Levels | Atmosphere/Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| Trois Pignons | Green, Blue, Red, Black | white sand, pines, airy bumps |
| Bas Cuvier | Blue, Red | short courses, demanding edges |
| Franchard | Red, Black | dense forest, abrasive rock, technical moves |
| Apremont | Green, Blue, Red | varied slabs, playful courses |
| Rocher Saint-Germain | Green, Blue | atypical panorama, remarkable boulder design |
Remember: Levels go from “Green” (children – initiation) to “Blue” (discovery), “Red” (intermediate), and “Black” (confirmed expert). One color, one world apart!
Sometimes weather naturally complicates practice – it’s not uncommon for light rain to stop all plans, especially on the polished sandstone of the bumps.
Prepare Your Course Safely: Checklist, Dangers, Tips
Daring Fontainebleau circuits means diving into a natural environment where pleasure and vigilance balance.
Before departure, that’s also why it’s regularly recommended to do a complete check of your equipment: solid crash pad (crucial for accidental blocks), properly sized climbing shoes (half a size can change everything on sandstone), ideal dry chalk (sand tends to absorb), and generous water bottle (some sectors remain without water points for several miles).
Each season holds its little surprises: spring ensures superior grip, while autumn transforms the landscape under the pines.
It’s better to plan for clothing adapted to sudden changes (at the summit, wind can become biting), and target water points or shelters on a map (a local professional recommends always identifying these stops).
- ✅ Check sector weather before any outing, rain makes sandstone slippery, some bumps are temporarily forbidden for nesting or forestry operations.
- ✅ Keep the emergency number handy: 112, often displayed large on panels in each zone. Note: some corners no longer get any network.
- ✅ Think about locating your GPS starting point or noting the marked route in advance. A poorly maintained circuit can quickly offer marking subtleties; the GPX trace remains a precious ally to not get lost.
- ✅ For children, some parents recommend Mont Ussy, Rocher Saint-Germain, or also the Calvaire circuit (secure ground, accessible boulders).
A user told of having had to turn back, out of water, or following an unexpected closure due to erosion – this seems to indicate it’s better to plan than improvise.
Numbers-wise: on the 25 bumps loop, the GPX trace gathers 9,432 points and approaches 2,000 annual downloads on specialized sites (a number that speaks to enthusiasts…).
Good to Know
I recommend always checking local weather before leaving. Sandstone becomes very slippery in rain, and some areas may be temporarily closed for nesting or hunting.
Tools and Resources to Download: GPX, PDF, Reliable Topographies
If fear of getting lost persists, or to compare variants and plan altitude, these tools simplify any visit: GPX/KML files to save on smartphone or GPS watch, PDF guides according to your sector, and possibilities by mobile app (e.g.: AllTrails, Gaia GPS, Komoot).
Some professionals estimate that the GPX trace avoids 90% of course incidents on busy days.
Know that the climbing and hiking community has nearly 200,000 members on AllTrails, giving the 35 bumps circuit an “Excellent” mention; on VisuGPX, the main trace shows more than 7,365 annual views, and the Potala or Bas Cuvier variants are highly sought after.
- ✅ Official GPX trace (25 or 35 bumps) on Bleau.info or VisuGPX
- ✅ Dynamic IGN map here: Géoportail
- ✅ Annual PDF guide (Fontainebleau Climbs Third Edition) – to order or print according to your criteria.
Generally speaking, you’ll also widely find printable PDF topos via local Facebook groups.
Some climbers keep a paper version “just in case,” in the trunk or at the bottom of the bag – proof that a basic tip can save an outing…
Community and Experience Sharing: Clubs, Reviews, Records and Testimonials
Behind Bleau, it’s a great collective weaving: affinity clubs, specialized forums, and collaborative photo albums capture the real life of the massif.
Everyone can join active groups (“Bleau Bloc Team,” INSEAD clubs), post their images on adventure platforms (+9000 followers), or recount their crossings on AllTrails and Komoot.
In 2024, the record on the official 25 bumps loop was brought to 1h43 – but most will rather choose 2 or 3 bumps, over half a day, simply enjoying the forest and wild atmosphere.
Testimonial sections bring together a whole diversity: families, trail runners, seasoned climbers, each reporting a unique anecdote or emotion (more than one recounts their marathon fall or the magical sunrise over the Trois Pignons sand).
The idea of sharing your experience remains central.
Review and album platforms are also a way to reveal “hidden gems” (small boulders of Rocher St-Germain, little-known Apremont variants) and fuel daily records.
A Bloc Team club speaker mentioned that a single boulder found “off-trace” can restart debate throughout a weekend!
On AllTrails, the bumps loop receives “Excellent” feedback; VisuGPX or adventure albums total more than 9,000 contributions.
And, small detail noted by some WhatsApp groups – symbolic challenges die hard – who will complete the Blue Isatis circuit before the storm?
Fontainebleau Circuits FAQ: Your Practical Questions Before Leaving
Last point to note, here are answers to the most classic questions asked before an outing:
- ✅ Which bumps are part of the massif references? → Full list given above, or PDF available on Bleau.info.
- ✅ Where to download topo or reliable trace? → Bleau.info (French-speaking site), Boulder Font Guide or VisuGPX.
- ✅ Which circuits to prefer for beginners or young people? → Green Mont Ussy, Blue Bas Cuvier, Green Calvaire, Rocher Saint-Germain.
- ✅ How much time to plan and what difficulty? → From 2h on short courses (young people) to 7h for the 25 bumps loop, up to 11h for the 35 bumps.
- ✅ Crash pad recommended? → Yes for climbing; hiking can be done without, but better to stay vigilant on high boulders.
- ✅ Weather and hazards? → Very slippery sand, storm risk, regular forestry closures (be sure to check live weather and look at signs upon arrival).
- ✅ Fontainebleau, suitable for family? → Considered one of the best European spots, provided you stick to green and blue marked loops.
If indecision or hesitation persists at choice time, it’s often observed that no circuit ever resembles another: small chance events – crossing a wild boar, enjoying a changing sky, or discovering a new passage – often form the best slice of Bleau.
