Crêt au Merle from Bellecombe, return via the ridges

de fr

An easy snowshoe route with remarkable views. However, conditions are more tiring if you have to break trail through a substantial layer of fresh snow.

Details

n°5574234
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.33 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 4 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 981 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 984 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,747 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,058 ft
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Photos

On the ridges, soon to reach Crêt au Merle.
The Haute Chaîne du Jura
Ruined house
Return via the ridge route

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the Auberge de la Guienette.

(S/E) Head up along the cross-country ski trail, taking care not to stray onto it or cause any damage.

(1) Pass the signpost for Le Berbois and La Borne au Lion on the right. Continue straight on along the track, which climbs gently.

(2) Descend into the valley, keeping the cross-country ski trail on your right. Pass under the high-voltage power line and climb back up opposite, staying within the valley. Further on, pass the sign for Lélex on your left, and walk past a farmhouse-style building with a teepee nearby.

(3) Turn right to join the cross-country ski trail without descending into the next valley. Beautiful view of the Crêt de Chalam. Head up to the left along the trail to the Col du Merle. This is a steady climb; take care not to get in the way of skiers using the trail on their descent.

(4) Once at the pass, leave the track by heading up to the right: a fairly steep slope but not difficult. A narrow path in summer and a snowfield in winter. Reach the Crêt au Merle, situated on the border between the departments and the Jura. The 360° panorama is splendid: Crêt de Chalam, Crêt de la Neige, Reculet etc., as well as towards La Pesse.

(5) Descend by following the ridge north-west. Continue straight on until you reach the Col des Salettes. No difficulty; the view is very pleasant along this route, and the elevation gain is very slight. In the second section, you’ll find a trail marked with yellow posts.

(6) At the foot of the Col des Salettes, there is a signpost for hikers. Turn right and follow the path downhill. You will reach a ruin, situated halfway up the slope, with a large wall.

(7) Turn left in front of the house and continue straight on. The cross-country ski trail leading back to the Auberge de la Guienette is to the right below. Continue, staying roughly on the same contour line. When you reach the inn, head back down towards the road to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,081 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.7 - alt. 4,183 ft - Signposted for Berbois, Borne au Lion
  3. 2 : mi 1.1 - alt. 4,327 ft - Descent into the valley
  4. 3 : mi 2.18 - alt. 4,219 ft - Farmhouse with teepee
  5. 4 : mi 2.64 - alt. 4,432 ft - Col du Merle (1351m)
  6. 5 : mi 2.9 - alt. 4,747 ft - Cret au Merle
  7. 6 : mi 4.57 - alt. 4,331 ft - Signpost - Fork in the road
  8. 7 : mi 4.67 - alt. 4,272 ft - Ruined house, high wall
  9. S/E : mi 5.33 - alt. 4,081 ft - Car park - La Guienette

Notes

In winter, the access road to the starting point is often snow-covered; as this is a cold area, snow tyres are required

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Beautiful views.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
MUMMY
MUMMY

Thank you for your feedback

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viking71
viking71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route for a half-day walk in winter
According to my Garmin GPS, the distance is 9.5 km and the elevation gain is 400 m.
A gradual climb, which is great for getting back into shape.
Thanks for this route

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MUMMY
MUMMY

I actually did this walk again recently; the private property is on the way down to La Borne au Lion. However, the fence with the flock of sheep is a recent addition, so you need to keep further to the right in the field that hasn’t been mown. This means walking through tall grass for quite a distance before rejoining the path at the edge of the woods. Thank you for your feedback, and best of luck with your future hikes

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giroddo@orange.fr
giroddo@orange.fr

Hello,
As far as I am aware, the ‘out and back’ route applies from the Col du Merle to the Crêt au Merle, to prevent walkers from descending via the western side (private property).
The sign is clearly displayed for hikers coming from La Borne au Lion who wish to return there without passing through Le Berbois (at the Col du Merle)...
Unless a new rule now applies???

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neqc
neqc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Access to the ridge beyond Cret au Merle is prohibited (signs instruct you to turn back). As the sign had been defaced with graffiti reading “we’ll do as we please”, we decided to carry on. The path, which is clearly visible at the start, comes up against a fence. After going as far round it as possible, we had to climb over it to find a track and get through. In the end, it worked out and it was great fun, but I thought I’d better warn you.

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MUMMY
MUMMY

Thank you for your comments. It can indeed get very cold on the ridge when the wind blows. All the best

Machine-translated

giroddo@orange.fr
giroddo@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks to the author for this superb hike.
We did it in lovely weather but with an icy breeze on the way back, going in the opposite direction to the one suggested by the author (so we’d have the sun on the way back).
Stunning scenery in the Haute Chaîne du Jura.

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