In the mountain pastures around Lajoux

You can choose to park either at the entrance to the village (the car park for the "Grande Cula" hikes if you arrive via Mijoux) or a little further on towards the tourist office and the Maison du Parc, or just before the dairy (small car park with six spaces), as is the case for this route.

(S/E) Leave the car park by turning left towards the north-west to finish crossing the village.

(1) Turn right to follow the Route de Sur les Champs towards Sous les Champs. Keep going in the same direction, ignoring the paths branching off to the sides.

(2) Take the path on the right towards Chez Gauton: this is the discovery trail.

(3) Shortly after the Chez Gauton farm, turn left towards Lamoura and La Vigoureuse. This is an area where the forest has suffered greatly and can be chaotic in bad weather.

(4) Turn right to reach the summit of La Vigoureuse, which offers a view of the peaks of the upper Jura mountain range.

(5) Return to the intersection.

(4) Continue right towards Lac de Lamoura and the viewpoint.

(6) Turn left even though it seems to go against the natural direction; the path on the right on the map no longer seems passable. Once you see the forest road, go left to join it and follow it uphill for about 50 metres.

(7) Turn right onto the forest path towards Lac de Lamoura: be careful, this area can be very muddy and the ruts deep if logging is in progress.

(8) Turn left to reach the viewpoint over Lac de Lamoura (bench), then retrace your steps and continue towards Les Thoramy.

(9) Shortly after the pretty alpine farm, turn right to climb towards Balise d'Amont and then Pièce d'Aval.

(10) Leave the main path and follow the GR®509 on the left towards La Bolaise. Join a wide white path: La Burdine sign.

(11) Follow it to the left towards Sermangindre, then leave it again in the direction of Pièce du Châtelain, staying on the GR®. Arrive at the Pièce du Châtelain crossroads.

(12) Turn right towards Lajoux and continue to La Beaumette.

(13) Turn left to follow the discovery trail that descends through the mountain pastures towards Joux Dessus and then Piardet.

(14) Turn left and follow the road for about 50 metres, then take the path on the right which descends towards the village and leads to the D436.

(15) Turn right, pass in front of the Maison du Parc and return to the small car park (S/E).

Please note that when the herds are present, you will be crossing pastures. Be sure to use the designated paths and close any gates behind you. If you have a dog, it is advisable to keep it on a leash and avoid the herds, especially if there are calves with their mothers.

The markings are fairly sparse, so follow the signs and the map carefully.

Take note of the mountain chalets and rainwater collection systems, which channel water into underground cisterns.