Circular Mont Tournier hike via the Chemin de la Boissière

Head to Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens (in the commune of Saint-Genix-les-Villages) from Novalaise, Yenne or Saint-Genix. Drive up near the hamlet of Les Rives and park (without obstructing the path) on the track leading to the Croix des Rives (reservoir).

(S/E) Head west and walk through the hamlet of Les Rives (Chemin de la Tour) as far as the last houses. Turn right onto a well-maintained path leading down towards the outlet of the Marais des Rives

(1) At the junction with the path leading up to Cupied, continue straight on towards Le Terailler and, after 300 metres, turn right, crossing the stream to reach Les Sangles. Cross two fields in succession along a faint track halfway up the slope until you reach the edge of the forest.

(2) Climb over the fence and enter the forest to find the remains of an old path starting at the same level. It crosses this side of the mountain, running between two cliffs, the lower one towering vertiginously over the Rhône Valley and the hamlet of Leschaux.

The first few hundred metres are in very poor condition and the path is barely discernible. It passes above the Trou de la Mule (be sure to go well round this gully at the top, the only slightly exposed section), directly beneath the Belvédère des Fils, then level with the Grotte de Jean Gonet (a few dozen metres to the right, at the foot of the upper cliffs). The path then often runs along the slope, skirting a rock that has broken away from the cliff at the bottom before descending quite steeply to a small wooded plateau.

(3) From this low point (around 620m), the path veers off to the right, climbing back up through the forest and following the clearing in the woodland – an old forest track – which winds its way up in a hairpin bend to the Vernay meadows. At the edge of the forest, follow the forest’s edge to the left to reach the end of the Route des Sérus coming from Le Borgey

(4) Head north-east along the signposted path that continues from the road, pass Les Sérus and, at a junction, turn right to join the^GR® Chemin de Compostelle. Follow it to the right for 100 metres, then turn left twice to climb to the summit of Mont Tournier.

(5) Head back down the same path to^{the GR®} Way of St James (or cut across the south-facing slope as shown on the map) and descend to the left towards Pierre qui Vire.

(6) From here, retrace your steps for 50 metres to descend to the Croix de la Dronière and rejoin the Mont Tournier road (D42). Follow it down to the right for 500 metres.

(7) On leaving the forest, leave the road and head left up a good track which climbs into the Forêt de Nattage, crossing it along the edge of the plateau whilst heading south. At the end of the plateau, it descends to the left to join a wider track coming from the Route Forestière de la Lattaz.

(8) Turn right onto this track, which descends and becomes a tarmac road at La Balme.

(9) At Beauregard, 100 metres before reaching the Route de la Lattaz, turn right onto the^GR® Chemin de Compostelle and follow it down to the Croix des Rives, where you will find the car park where you started opposite (S/E).

Please note: between (2) and (4), the path is not always clearly marked; you are effectively off the beaten track, particularly as the box tree moth has destroyed the boxwood, making the passage difficult (branches and trunks lying across the path, overgrown brambles, etc.). Pruning shears are recommended, as are long trousers and long sleeves.

Between (2) and (3), the route runs between two cliffs; whilst it isn’t exposed as it’s wooded, the cliff face dropping down to the Rhône is clearly visible just a few metres away amongst the boxwood. This section should only be tackled in dry weather to avoid slipping on the sloping sections.

From (4), the route follows paths – or even tracks – which may or may not be signposted but are always clearly visible.

The original part of this route has been mapped out thanks to the research and explorations documented in the posts on the “Sentier-Nature” website, to which readers are referred for further details.

In the wild section of the crossing beneath Les Fils, the route passes through the Trou de la Mule, a gully where domestic animals are said to have slipped towards the cliff, then near the Grotte de Jean Gonet, which is said to have sheltered a priest who refused to take an oath during the Revolution.

From Mont Tournier, there is an unobstructed view of the Rhône Valley.

Pierre qui Vire is a site steeped in legends and Celtic lore.