From Lélex to La Borne au Lion circular loop

(S/E) The suggested starting point is the car park between Lélex Town Hall and the post office.
Turn right onto Rue des Lapidaires and follow it for about 170 m.

(1) Take the^second road on the right (Route du Frenêt) for approximately 650 m.

(2) After crossing a bridge over the Valserine, turn right towards the hamlet of La Fruitière.
Carry on straight ahead towards La Crosse and Le Truchet along Route des Bals (signposted as a private road). The track climbs gently

(3) Further up, you’ll come to a fork at a place called La Crosse: turn right, heading due north, onto a footpath.
The route is straightforward (follow the yellow and pink markings)

(4) A little further up, you’ll come to a visible fork on the right: take a return trip to the Le Truchet viewpoint. Continue along the route (after this point, the markings are no longer visible), initially descending along a forest track (sections may be blocked depending on forestry activity).

After crossing a clearing, the path climbs again. At a sharp bend, go straight on uphill. A little further on, turn left. The path improves once you reach the plateau. Carry on until you reach a road

(5) Take the small road on the left (Les Trois Cheminées are about 350 m from this point on the right)

(6) Not far on, you’ll reach the Refuge la Guienette: carry on straight ahead along a track suitable for vehicles (access restricted to authorised users) for about 1.2 km (marked with red and white^{GR®® signs}).

(7) You’ll come to a fork at a place called La Mignatte: turn right towards Le Berbois and La Borne au Lion (white and red^GR®® markings)

(8) After passing over the Col des Salettes, the path reaches a fork at the hamlet of Le Berbois: turn left towards La Borne au Lion (white and red^GR®® markings).

(9) After a short climb through the woodland, you’ll reach the hamlet known as Sous les Loges; continue straight on to reach a wide pasture-lined valley.

(10) After a small pass (the Malatrait), follow the path to its end at a road in the hamlet of Le Berbois.

(11) Turn left onto the road, cross a car park and arrive at La Borne au Lion.

(12) Continue left towards Crêt au Merle, Combe des Closettes and Lélex (red and white^GR®® markings) via a good, carriageable track.

(13) Further up, you’ll reach the Col du Merle, where you’ll see a fork in the path. Keep left towards Crêt au Merle (yellow markings).

(14) From the summit, you can enjoy the view of the surrounding area (the Mont Jura range, Crêt de Chalam)
Take the same route back to the Col du Merle.

(13) Turn left towards Lélex (marked with white and red^GR®® signs), following the track.

(15) A little further down, you’ll reach a wide valley known as Les Closettes, passing by an old school, and continue to the next junction.

(16) Carry on along the track, which turns right towards Lélex (red and white^GR®® markings) for about 2 km.

(17) Turn right onto the footpath towards Lélex (marked with red and white^{GR®® signs}). At times, the slope is quite steep (take care if the ground is wet) and you will arrive at a place called Le Nizais.

(18) Carry on to the left along the track towards Lélex (red and white^GR®® markings)
Carry on along a lovely route for over 1 km, with a fairly gentle gradient. Pass by some buildings (La Mignonne) and continue straight on along the road (Route du Niaizet) for about 800 m. You’ll arrive at a place called La Fruitière.

(2) Cross the bridge over the River Valserine and return to the starting point by following the same route back as on the way there, until you reach the car park (S/E).

Good walking boots are recommended, as are walking poles.

Nature hates your rubbish. Please take it with you.

The route is generally in fairly good condition. The only potential difficulties may be encountered between points (4) and (5) (no signposting and possible forestry work that could cause disruption).

From (S/E) to (2) A road route where finding your way is straightforward (no signposting)

From (2) to (3) Good, motorable track with a few directional signs present (no markings)

From (3) to (4) A generally pleasant footpath; follow the yellow and pink markings.

From (4) to (5) A forestry track with no signposting or directional signs. Progress may be difficult at times if the ground is damp (muddy sections) and particularly if forestry work is in progress.
You should stay on the main route throughout (heading straight on along a wide bend, then turning left). Once you reach the plateau, the route is easy to follow.

From (5) to (6) Route along a stretch of road with little traffic (marked with red and white^GR®® markings)

From (6) to (7) An easy, vehicle-accessible track; there are a few signposts (red and white^GR®® markings)

From (7) to (11) A good, pleasant path; there are a few signposts with red and white GR®® markings^.

From (11) to (12) Route along a little-used stretch of road.

From (12) to (13) An easy track with some White and Red GR®® markings^.

From (13) to (14) A pleasant path marked in yellow.

From (13) to (16) An easy track suitable for vehicles with some white and red GR®® markings^.

From (16) to (17) A path with a few fairly steep slopes: the ground may be quite slippery in places when wet. No problems with navigation (white and red^GR®® markings)

From (17) to (S/E) Route along a track and then a road; navigation is straightforward

La Borne au Lion:
- former border between the Kingdom of France, the Duchy of Burgundy and the Duchy of Savoy (currently the administrative boundary between the departments of Jura and Ain).
- an area of Resistance activity between 1943 and 1944: a memorial stands here.

Read more here, here and here

Lélex: read more here