Charix walks

This circular route takes you through the villages of Charix and Plagne. On leaving Plagne, there are superb views of the village of Échallon and its church. Halfway along the route, a picnic stop is a must at the exceptional site of Lac Genin. The ridge path above the village of Apremont offers breathtaking views of the village. Behind you, you can see part of the town of Oyonnax. The highest point of the hike is reached at Mont Burdet at an altitude of 1,050 metres.You will need to follow the route using the .gpx track.

This small mountain lake, situated in a clearing at an altitude of 830 m, is nicknamed ‘the Little Canada of the Haut-Bugey’. It is surrounded by tall trees that take on vibrant colours in autumn. In summer, the cool waters of the lake are a source of refreshment for walkers. In winter, covered in snow and ice, with the sun’s rays glinting off the surface, the view is undoubtedly even more beautiful! Every season will enchant you.

A refreshing short hike with multiple panoramic views.

This official hike is ideal as it passes by two of the most beautiful viewpoints in the village: the Peney viewpoint and the Roche Carreletau viewpoint, starting from the heart of the village of Poizat-Lalleyriat.This route is one of the six official hiking trails in Le Poizat-Lalleyriat, and is numbered 1.

Hike with panoramic views of Lake Nantua and the cliffs in the first part, then descend along the Landéron, which you will cross twice.

Starting from the hamlet of La Tour, this short walk allows you to admire the magnificent Lake Nantua from the Belvédère de la Colonne without too much effort. As an added bonus, there’s also a lovely view of the town and the Nantua Viaduct.

A circular mainly through the forest, to discover the western part of the commune and Lac Genin.

A lovely little route on a mostly shaded route. No particular difficulty apart from a noticeable incline in the middle of the route. Walking poles are recommended for this section.

Lake Nantua is a lake in the Jura Mountains. Of glacial origin, it currently covers 141 hectares. The lake was designated a protected natural site in 1935. Nantua is a popular destination for tourists due to its tranquillity and fine cuisine.

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.

A beautiful, moderately difficult hike with panoramic views overlooking Lake Nantua and the Autoroute des Titans. At the summit, weather permitting, you can see Mont Blanc.

The proposed route aims to take you on a journey across the Chamoise Plateau, starting from Nantua. This is an alternative to another route featured on the website: La Roche d’Au-Delà, the link for which is provided below. Whilst the climb up to the Monts d’Ain is a bit of a challenge at times, the rest of the hike is generally gentler.

Hike on the heights overlooking Lake Nantua with beautiful views of the lake. The areas sheltered under the trees provide respite from the summer sun. The hike can be rounded off with a refreshing dip in the lake. Some sections are a little technical.

A family-friendly forest walk along the Landeyron with its potholes, waterfall and fording point. Please note: in winter and after heavy rain, the ford is likely to be impassable: you will need to turn back.

The aim of this hike is to take you to Lac Genin from the centre of Oyonnax. The route is mainly a loop. Once you arrive at the lake, you are free to spend as much time there as you like.

I suggest a good route that takes you from Oyonnax to Lac Genin and the Prairie d'Échallon. Throughout the route, the varied landscapes are reminiscent of a small Canada. The main difficulty is the length of the route.

Il est proposé un parcours en boucle un peu sportif, dont la finalité est de rejoindre à partir d'Oyonnax la Prairie d'Echallon, puis de revenir via le Lac Sous les Mousses (et à proximité du lac de Viry) puis le Mont de la Chaux et la Pointe de Biez.

In a typical Jura setting, this loop offers exceptional panoramic views, such as the Roche Fauconnière.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Third stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. From the Roche Fauconnière viewpoint and its panoramic view of the Cirque d'Orvaz, the trail leads to the Lion marker, a historic landmark of the Franco-Comtois border in the 17th century and a key site of the Resistance. It is here that the GR® de Pays crosses the Grande Traversée du Jura and the GR® 5, before a long, gentle descent towards Lélex, a ski resort nestled in the Valserine valley.

Explore the vast expanses of the Retord Plateau. Along the way, you will see a few typical farms, traces of life in an immaculate and unspoilt place.

Route of snowshoes on the vast Retord Plateau. The Retord plateau has been gently taken over by cross-country ski trails and snowshoe paths. As its name suggests, the Retord Plateau is ideal for long walks without much elevation gain.

This is a lovely little route that takes us through Catray, home to a welcoming inn, then across the northern part of the Retord plateau along quiet paths. This route has little elevation gain and is not difficult, even though it is at an altitude of over 1,000 metres. It can also be done on snowshoes. View of Mont Blanc if the weather is clear.

This walk from Montanges offers a view of the famous stone bridge over the Valserine and takes you past the monument to Paul de Vanssay, hero of the Resistance.

During this walk, discover the arboretum established in 1920. As well as local trees such as birches, hornbeams and spruces, it features exotic species including Lebanese cedars and red oaks… There are around twenty different species, all catalogued and labelled.

Superb view of the cliffs of La Roche Fauconnière and then those of La Roche d'Orvaz.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Second stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. Starting from the Ferme de Retord, the route crosses the open and wooded landscapes of the plateau before beginning the descent towards Lalleyriat, with a viewpoint overlooking the Autoroute des Titans. In Saint-Germain-de-Joux, a detour is a must to discover the impressive Marmites de Géant, carved out by the Semine. The stage ends on the northern slope, in Giron.

This is a fairly challenging circular trail around the Combe d'Orvaz: the main points of interest are the banks of the Sémine river and its waterfalls, the plateau around the Combe d'Évuaz, and then the Roches d'Orvaz and its cirque.

The section from La Charnay to Chalet d’Arvière is the fifth stage of the six-day walking tour “La GTJ from Mijoux”. The GR®9 enters the Ain department via Mijoux, before following the spectacular ridges of the Monts-Jura, passing through the Crêt de la Neige, the highest point of the range. It then descends towards Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, crosses the Retord plateau and climbs the Grand Colombier. The trail continues its route to Culoz and the Rhône Valley, before leaving the Ain to reach Savoie and continuing southwards. Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations: dogs are prohibited, even when kept on a lead, as is camping in tents. Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Open from 1 April to 30 November ( subject to there being no snow). Fifth stage of the Grande Traversée du Jura walking route: from La Borne au Lion to Culoz, in 6 days. The GTJ links Mandeure (Doubs) to Culoz (Ain) in 15 to 20 days, crossing the Jura Mountains and the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park. The route suggested here covers the second half of the itinerary.

Combining legends and panoramic views, this Vierge de Diesse circular route offers an enchanting escape into the heart of the forest. Very easy and shaded, making it ideal on hot days. The Belvédère de la Pierre du Curé offers a stunning view of the River Ain. Perfect for a family outing.

A nature getaway offering breathtaking natural scenery. Once you reach the riverbank, prepare to be amazed. Numerous waterfalls and natural potholes, carved out by the water, await you. These pools are perfect for a refreshing swim and even a few jumps for the more daring. The perfect setting for a dip in crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush greenery – a true haven of peace.