Bois d’Amont towards Chalet Gaillard (near Roche Bernard)

From the centre of Bois d’Amont, take the Route du Risoux towards the Combettes car park. Stop at a junction where the Impasse des Combettes branches off to the right: parking available. Note: when there’s been heavy snowfall, the Route du Risoux isn’t cleared beyond this point.

(S/E) Turn right onto Impasse des Combettes, carrying your snowshoes. Put your snowshoes on straight away and follow a path to the left, marked by orange snowshoes hanging from the trees: you’ll need to follow these markers all the way to Chalet Gaillard. The path starts with a steep climb, then the route levels out.

(1) At the junction, turn right, following the rustic wooden signpost marked ‘Chalet Gaillard’. Follow this well-marked path, which alternates between very gentle ascents and descents.

(2) At the crossroads, turn right at a right angle and carry on. There are yellow markings as well as snowshoe tracks.

(3) Turn left at the junction with the^GRP® Tour de la Haute Bienne. Follow it. Further on, be sure to note the sign for the protection of biotopes, which urges you to respect the wildlife and not to stray from the tracks.

(4) You’ll see a building on the right in the meadow called ‘La Caserne’. Continue to the Chalet Gaillard, where there are three buildings. Take a moment to admire the large house on the right.

(5) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to return to the starting car park (S/E).

Chalet Gaillard is a mountain refuge and stopover lodge, offering the option of having lunch or staying on a half-board basis. You can also simply enjoy a delicious homemade pastry. It’s advisable to book in advance for meals and accommodation. Very friendly welcome

Just past Chalet Gaillard, a cross-country ski trail branches off to the left, signposted ‘Plan de la Citerne’ in particular.
Returning this way means following the ski trail, which runs the full width of the road. It’s very, very monotonous and a bit risky. In fact, it’s off-limits to snowshoes – and rightly so. So it’s better to return along the route you took on the way there, which is more picturesque and less monotonous.

The Roche Bernard viewpoint is situated 1.6 km from our finishing point; there’s no change in altitude. The direction is signposted and the path is also very well-used. It offers a remarkable view over the Chapelle des Bois valley and the lakes of Bellefontaine and Les Mortes.

Roche du Creux near the viewpoint (3): Accessible in winter? A beautiful viewpoint over the Orbe valley. Take care to stay well away from the unsecured sheer drop.