Ain walks

This loop hike takes you through the heart of the Bugey region around Hauteville-Lompnes, on the edge of the plateau overlooking the Albarine Gorges, and with relatively little change in altitude.

Passing over the Cols du Grand and Petit Pertuis, you'll be amazed by this route along the ridges, which offers 360° views of the Alps, Massif Central and Jura. An easy hike for regular walkers.

A panoramic walk overlooking the town of Nantua and its famous lake, in an exceptional environment that alternates between countryside and coniferous forest. The mountainous route retains a good sporting aspect.

The aim of the route is to complete a beautiful loop overlooking the Cerdon: after crossing the vineyards overlooking the valley, the route continues on the plateaus of Saint-Alban and Labalme before returning to the starting point via the Combe Cugnat and a slight detour via Mont Carmier. Please note: access is currently blocked at the Pont de l'Enfer (11) and therefore indirectly from Labalme (8). An alternative route avoiding this area is suggested. See below.

Starting from Cerin, this mainly wooded marked trail takes you through several valleys with streams offering several waterfall passages. After rainy weather, the waterfalls are magnificent but the ground is then more slippery.

The route follows the course of the Oignin river on the edge of the Gorges de l'Enfer, then goes around the Lac de l'Oignin, all with some pretty nice scenery!

A summit and vistas in a site dominated by pastures.

A beautiful hike, fairly well marked in blue with directional signs (sometimes a little faded), between 630 and 900 metres above sea level, easy, mostly on good, well-shaded paths. On very clear days, there are views of the snow-capped Alps and the villages of Marchand and Cerin. For flower lovers, between May and July, there are martagon lilies, orchids, snowdrops and erythronium. And for those who like the cool air, they can go to the Grotte de la Jaquette cave near the path.

A marked trail allows you to explore several water-related areas (hillside, stream, marsh) around Glandieu and its waterfall. Some paths are not maintained, see notices.

An easy loop along Retord Plateau taking you past the "Gouffre de la Bauche" sinkhole and the "Crêt du Nu" viewpoint.

The Crêt de la Neige, the highest point in the Jura at 1,720 metres, offers an exceptional view of Lake Geneva and the Alps, with Mont Blanc as a bonus.

I had wanted to walk through this flat countryside with its multitude of ponds for a long time. I suggest this route, which starts at Notre-Dame des Dombes Abbey. It will take you past some beautiful ponds and local farms. Depending on the season, you will be accompanied by the songs of a multitude of birds. Frogs will jump out of the water as you pass by and curious cows will come to meet you.

A beautiful loop passing through a small, easy, unobstructed peak offering a wide panorama of the Bugey, the Bresse plain, the Beaujolais mountains and the Lyon region. The springs of the Reyssouze reward us at the end of the hike.

A lovely walk starting from the banks of the Rhône, leading to the Mont de Cordon viewpoint (altitude 400 m) and offering a beautiful panorama of the Rhône and the Izieu mountain. During the climb, you pass a beautiful private castle and on the way back, you can see three caves that were inhabited during prehistoric times: the Bonne Femme cave, an unnamed cave and the Liévrin cave.

This loop allows you to visit several characteristic sites in this area where the folds of the Jura meet the alluvial plain: the sharp limestone pavement of Fierloz, the Cerveyrieu waterfall, the Turignin Gorges on the Séran, the sources of the Groin and the chasms it forms. In high water, the route can be slippery but it is impressive.

Je vous propose de réaliser un parcours en boucle au départ des environs du Col de la Faucille (parking du Pailly) afin d’accéder au Colomby de Gex : à l'aller le tracé évolue sous les Monts Jura et au retour sur ses crêtes avec une succession de montées et descentes. Certaines parties du parcours sont situées en zones de quiétude de la faune sauvage et il ne sera ainsi pas possible de le parcourir du 15/12 au 15/05 (à lire ci dessous)

Ce tour propose un parcours varié, et exigeant, depuis les rives de la Valserine jusqu’aux plus hauts sommets du Jura. Un sublime panorama s’étend sur les Alpes, le Léman et les montagnes jurassiennes, s’offrant aux randonneurs dans un cadre préservé. Praticable d'avril à novembre, le chemin débute depuis le village de Lélex et part en direction du Pont de la Fruitière et du Niaizet. Il se poursuit en longeant la Valserine en fond de vallée et passe par sa tourbière. Une flore remarquable y pousse aux beaux jours. , avant d'entamer l'ascension des Monts Jura et du Reculet (1719m). Une croix de 1600 kg y fut hissée en 1892 par quatre habitants de Thoiry. Le sentier se poursuit jusqu'au Crêt de la Neige, point culminant du massif, à 1720 m. Avant de redescendre dans le village de Lélex, remarquez aux abords du sentier les vestiges d'anciennes constructions, qui témoignent de l'activité humaine dans les Monts Jura et de sa tradition alpagiste.

An all-season looping route in the Bugey region, starting from Colomieu. Taking in the Furans and Gland basins, it is a pleasant walk with its marshes and lakes, and an original one with its passage through the Roche Percée de Corne-Bœuf. Beware of water levels, which can vary considerably. Diversions to (13). Moderator on 06 June 2025. Pending action by the author.

An easy walk to discover the peaceful countryside of the Bresse Bourguignonne. The route passes through farmland, a beautiful lake, meadows and woods, finally following a small river. Here and there are scattered Bresse farms, some still in operation.PR®® (yellow) signposts all along the route.

Les alpages de Menthières et les paysages du chalet du Sac offrent de grands espaces pour une évasion au cœur des Monts Jura. Entre forêt et alpages, ce parcours varié ouvert d'avril à novembre, s'ouvre sur de superbes panoramas. Le sentier débute depuis le parking face au télésiège du Rendu, longe le parc accrobranche avant de monter vers le Col de Menthières. Il passe par des lieux emblématiques servant de repères pour les randonneurs : la "Grange Velue" et le "Chalet du Sac", qui offrent des vues panoramiques sur Valserhône, le plateau de Retord et les Alpes. Les chiens, même tenus en laisse, sont interdits dans cet espace situé en Réserve Naturelle.

From Lélex to Mijoux via the Haute Chaîne:the second stage of the two-day hiking tour "On the roof of the Jura mountains". From the wild Valserine Valley to the balcony of Lake Geneva, this route immerses you in the authenticity of the Haut-Jura. As you cross the Hautes Combes, you will be struck by the raw beauty of the wide open spaces, the silence of the deep forests and the open horizon of the plateaus. The trail climbs gradually, revealing exceptional panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine chain. A life-size immersion in a land of traditions and high-altitude landscapes.Good to know – Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations:Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.Camping in tents is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

From Lélex to Mijoux via the Haute Chaîne: the first stage of the two-day "On the roof of the Jura mountains" hike. From the wild Valserine Valley to the balcony of Lake Geneva, this route immerses you in the authenticity of the Haut-Jura. As you cross the Hautes Combes, you will be struck by the raw beauty of the wide open spaces, the silence of the deep forests and the open horizon of the plateaus. The trail climbs gradually, revealing exceptional panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine range. A life-size immersion in a land of traditions and high-altitude landscapes.Good to know – Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations:Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.Camping in tents is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Short loop passing through the Hautecourt Cave Nature Reserve. Hike with no technical difficulty, alternating between woodland and open spaces. The climb up to the Mont Rosset plateau is a little steep, watch out for cows, but you'll be rewarded at the end. Please note that the cave itself is not open to visitors, even though it was France's first underground nature reserve in 1980. Don't be disappointed, though, as there are a dozen information panels on the surface explaining the cave's biodiversity and its exploration in the past. For those interested, there is a 3D tour on the LPO Aura website.

Discover the medieval town of Bourg-en-Bresse. Tour the streets to admire the well-preserved half-timbered houses. Plaques on the remarkable façades explain their history.Departure from the car park of the Monastery of Brou, a remarkable building that is definitely worth a visit.

Starting from Chézery-Forens, I propose a lovely route to the Monts Jura between Le Gralet and Menthières. On the whole, it's a relatively easy route in a wooded environment punctuated by a few open spots offering some fine views.

The third stage of the hiking tour: from Mijoux to Confort via the Haute Chaîne du Jura. Set off on a journey across the Haut-Jura between Mijoux and Confort, through varied landscapes of valleys, peaks and forests. Over three days, you will walk along the Jura ridges, passing the Grand Mont Rond, the Crêt de la Neige and the Reculet, with magnificent views of Mont Blanc and the Alps. This crossing takes you to the heart of the Haute Chaîne du Jura for an authentic experience in the heart of nature. As you will be self-sufficient for food, remember to bring provisions so you can enjoy this adventure to the full.Please note – Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations:Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.Camping in tents is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

The second stage of the multi-day hike: from Mijoux to Confort via the Haute Chaîne du Jura. Set off on a journey across the Haut-Jura between Mijoux and Confort, through varied landscapes of valleys, peaks and forests. Over three days, you will walk along the Jura ridges, passing the Grand Mont Rond, the Crêt de la Neige and the Reculet, with magnificent views of Mont Blanc, the Alps and Lake Geneva. This crossing takes you to the heart of the Haute Chaîne du Jura for an authentic experience in the great outdoors. As you will be self-sufficient for food, remember to bring supplies so you can enjoy this adventure to the full.Please note – Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations:Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.Camping in tents is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

The first stage of the hiking tour: from Mijoux to Confort via the Haute Chaîne du Jura. Set off on a journey across the Haut-Jura between Mijoux and Confort, through varied landscapes of valleys, peaks and forests. Over three days, you will walk along the Jura ridges, passing the Grand Mont Rond, the Crêt de la Neige and the Reculet, with magnificent views of Mont Blanc and the Alps. This crossing takes you to the heart of the Haute Chaîne du Jura for an authentic experience in the heart of nature. As you will be self-sufficient for food, remember to bring provisions so that you can enjoy this adventure to the full.Please note – Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations:Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.Camping in tents is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

The official route of the hike called "De Crêts en Combes depuis Lélex" (From Crests to Valleys from Lélex). This route is part of the official GTJ (Grande Traversée du Jura) itineraries. This large loop offers a spectacular immersion in the iconic landscapes of the Haut-Jura: crossing the Hautes-Combes, the Valserine valley and the majestic peaks of the Haute Chaîne du Jura. Between forests, mountain pastures and breathtaking panoramas, the route alternates between views of the Jura ridges on one side and Lake Geneva and the Alps on the other.The route runs through the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and partly through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: a protected and preserved area to be explored with respect.Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.