Walk around Lake Chalain

A pleasant walk to do in a day. The trail runs either along the lake, overlooking it or along the edge of the rocks, with numerous viewpoints.

Details

7524
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 198 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 197 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 604 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 489 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the village of Marigny near the church.

(S/E) Walk along the church and cemetery on your left and follow Rue de l'Oratoire (white and redGR® markings).
Then turn left onto Rue des Voituriers.

(1) At the fork, turn right, go through a gate and cross the Bief de la Côte watercourse, keeping to the right at the next fork. Continue to another crossroads.

(2) Turn right again towards the lake shore and follow it until you reach the entrance to the Domaine de Chalain campsite.

(3) Cross the campsite and take the car exit.

(4) At the exit, cross the bridge and immediately take the path on the right, which runs parallel to the paved road for a long time before rejoining it.

(5) Continue right on the paved road that curves away from the lake in a wide left turn.

(6) At the end of the bend, leave the road and take the path that climbs to the left (yellow signpost). Keep left at the next two intersections and you will reach the Belvédère sur la Roche, the first viewpoint over the lake.

(7) Follow the path, ignoring all the paths on the right, and arrive at the second viewpoint, the Belvédère de la Frate.

(8) Continue along the path that slopes to the left, following the departmental road, which leads to the third viewpoint, the Belvédère du Lac.

(9) Join the D90, follow it to the left until the first crossroads.

(10) Turn left and follow the road into the village of Fontenu.

(11) At the statue of the Virgin Mary, turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the crossroads with a track.

(12) Be careful at this point and take the path that descends straight ahead.

(2) Continue straight ahead and follow the same route in reverse to return to Martigny church and the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 519 m - Marigny Church
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 520 m - Fork, right
  3. 2 : km 1.48 - alt. 534 m - Crossroads of the loop
  4. 3 : km 3.18 - alt. 495 m - Camping du Domaine de Chalain
  5. 4 : km 3.97 - alt. 492 m - Campsite exit, bridge
  6. 5 : km 5.4 - alt. 494 m - Tarmac road, on the right
  7. 6 : km 5.99 - alt. 525 m - Path going up to the left
  8. 7 : km 6.53 - alt. 590 m - Viewpoint on La Roche
  9. 8 : km 8.14 - alt. 591 m - Belvédère de la Frate
  10. 9 : km 8.89 - alt. 588 m - Belvédère du - Lac de Chalain
  11. 10 : km 9.67 - alt. 582 m - Crossing on the D90, turn left.
  12. 11 : km 10.23 - alt. 589 m - Virgin Mary statue, on the left
  13. 12 : km 12.43 - alt. 596 m - Crossroads with track, path opposite
  14. S/E : km 14.31 - alt. 518 m - Marigny Church

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 66 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
cartoum
cartoum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with no difficulty. The route is very easy to follow. There are four secure viewing points along the route, only three of which are indicated in the description. The additional one is located in the large picnic area after the village of Fontenu, with a view of the lakes. A very pleasant spot. The route is almost entirely in the shade. The lower part runs alongside the lake and the upper part offers an almost permanent view of the lake. Good.

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User 17676446

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, easy hike.
The views from the lookout points are truly magnificent...
The colour of the water... the fir trees...
To be done in all seasons

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Gouriev
Gouriev

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, well-shaded walk around a lake with turquoise waters on sunny days. Swimming is possible at one end in a well-equipped picnic area (which is obviously quite busy). The route is easy. Not as spectacular or challenging as others in the area, but very enjoyable.

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Yoko25
Yoko25

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent walk with many viewpoints over Lake Chalain. Many rest points along the way. Well signposted and laid out.

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camino70
camino70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, easy and well-marked walk. Magnificent scenery from the viewpoints! I highly recommend this beautiful route. Thank you Héricox for your work and for sharing these trails with us.

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paysagiste
paysagiste

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and beautiful walk. Very little change in altitude. This walk must be very popular in summer.

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massenetjepaul
massenetjepaul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route

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Emile57
Emile57

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, very nice route, but the signposting is not up to scratch.

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netphi@sfr.fr
netphi@sfr.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk, very shady route. Perfect in these hot weather conditions.

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Renard 39
Renard 39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Do it in fine weather, not in the rain.

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Guilbert
Guilbert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The signposting in the Jura is top-notch.
The scenery is fantastic

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encore1matin
encore1matin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy walk along the circuit des crêtes. 18 km with my Strava (start/finish Marigny)
Breathtaking views, the azure colour of the lake is a little wonder.
It was hot, but bearable because of the pleasant undergrowth paths.
A welcome swim when we reached the Domaine beach.
I recommend this walk 🚶

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Tirry
Tirry

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant walk on the heights around the lake. The colours are magnificent at this time of year with the sun. I recommend this route.

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monique.germain
monique.germain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a magnificent walk in autumn, with the emerald lake set in a green setting. And the peace and quiet, the fullness of the place without the summer crowds.
The circuit is varied, with a section along the water's edge and a section on the heights, with lovely views from the belvederes.
In summer, with the added bonus of swimming, it must be very pleasant.

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GUIGNOT
GUIGNOT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, still a little early to enjoy the autumn colours...
In the description, note that the Virgin Mary of Fontenu no longer exists.... it should read rue a gauche just before the town hall...
Thanks for this idea for a walk.

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