Viewpoint over the Ain plain at the Pisse Vache Waterfall from Granges

Park in the car park at Granges cemetery.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, take Route de la Cascade (D91) on the right and follow it until you reach a pathhead on the right.

(1) Start the climb along this forest path until you reach a memorial stone and a grave.

(2) Continue due south, then turn south-east and continue north-east at the fork (elevation 615m). You will reach a concrete cross.

(3) Turn onto the second path leading uphill to the left and continue north-east into the Combe de l'Ours.

(4) Continue straight on, admire the two small Grottes de l'Ours, pass under a power line and arrive at the Stèle du Maquis.

(5) Head back down to the fork.

(4) Turn left and reach a fork in the path.

(6) Turn left heading due north and reach the highest point of this hike, an ideal spot for a lunch break. Be careful, however, as you are on the edge of a cliff (and there are lots of red ants on the ground, so watch where you step).

(7) Head back down to the fork.

(6) Continue straight on along a winding path that joins a track.

(8) Follow this track downhill to reach the Marcel Volland memorial in the hamlet of Chougeat.

(9) Continue to the right along the tarmac road to La Tournerie.

(10) Leave the road and take a path on the right, following it south-west to the Route de Nebois (D11d).

(11) Follow it to the right, pass the sewage treatment plant and, via a path on the left, cut across a bend in the road to reach the village of Sonthonnax-la-Montage.

(12) Cross the village and, following the same road (D11d), reach the hamlet of Heyrat.

(13) Taking a left-right turn, take a new road (D11e) which bends to the right. Pass Leat de Mailloux. At the bend in the road, continue straight on along a path at the edge of the woods to the north-west.

(14) At elevation 609, turn left, continue south into the Combe de Montant and arrive at the Leat de Pisse Vache.

(15) Cross the ford via a very sturdy wooden bridge – no worries – then turn left to reach the top of the waterfall and admire it from above.

(16) Then, following the steeply descending circular loop, reach the bottom of the waterfall.

(17) Continue north-west along the Leat de Pisse Vache, cross it and arrive at the hamlet of Bombois, where there is a refreshing fountain (water not drinkable).

(18) Cross the D91 with care and head towards Le Port. Follow the banks of the Ain, then head up to the right towards the car park at Granges cemetery (S/E).

You can park at Granges cemetery without any problems.

There are several fountains along the route; the water is not drinkable.

Bear Caves.

Viewpoint.

Pisse Vache Waterfall.