GR® de Pays - Grand Tour de la Valserine

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Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow.

The GR® de Pays Grand Tour de la Valserine covers a vast area in the Ain department. This circular route winds through the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, passing through the contrasting landscapes of the Retord plateau, the Valserine valley, the Pays de Gex and the Haute Chaîne du Jura.

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.

Details

n°91480401
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 60.94 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13,058 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13,081 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,633 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,106 ft

Photos

Vue depuis la Haute-chaîne jurassienne ©OT Terre Valserhone
Borne au Lion ©CCPB
La Roche Fauconnière à Giron ©OT Terre Valserhone
La Valserine avant d'arriver à Bellegarde ©OT Valserone

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S

    Valserhône - La Ferme du Retord

    ↔8.42 mi ↗2,999 ft ↘36 ft
    Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. First stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. Starting from Bellegarde station, the route runs past Mussel Castle and the hamlet of Ochiaz before climbing up to the Retord plateau. After a 1½-hour climb through the forest, a splendid panorama of the Jura and the Alps awaits you. The stage ends at La Charnay, with the option of staying overnight at the Ferme de Retord or continuing on to the Refuge de la Conay.
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  2. 2
    La Ferme du Retord - Giron

    La Ferme du Retord - Giron

    ↔15.59 mi ↗2,415 ft ↘3,274 ft
    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.
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  3. 3
    Giron - Lélex

    Giron - Lélex

    ↔12.38 mi ↗1,588 ft ↘1,995 ft
    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.
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  4. 4
    Lélex - Menthières

    Lélex - Menthières

    ↔13.56 mi ↗3,904 ft ↘3,317 ft
    Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Fourth stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. From Lélex, the trail climbs through the forest to the Chalet de la Loge, the gateway to the nature reserve. The ascent then eases off through clearings and woodland to the ridges, where an exceptional panorama opens up over Lake Geneva, the Alps and Mont Blanc. The route crosses the massif’s two highest points: the Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m) and the Reculet (1,718 m), before skirting the Roche Franche cirque. After the Chalet du Gralet, the forest accompanies you for the final few kilometres to Menthières. Protected area: dogs and tent camping are prohibited in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve.
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  5. E

    Menthières - Valserhône

    ↔10.99 mi ↗2,152 ft ↘4,459 ft
    Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. The fifth and final stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. The stage begins in the forest before reaching the mountain pastures and the Pierre à Fromage. The Crêt de la Goutte (1,621 m) offers a breathtaking panorama of the Alps, Mont Blanc and the three great lakes — Lake Geneva, Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget. The descent crosses the nature reserve between the Crêt du Miroir and Crêt du Milieu to Sorgia-d’en-Haut, then the path heads into the forest before following the banks of the Valserine to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. Protected area: dogs and tent camping are prohibited in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. If the Valserine riverside path is closed, follow the diversion via the Voie du Tram to reach the centre of Bellegarde.
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Notes

Part of the route is located within a Nature Reserve; please observe the specific regulations for this area

Dogs are not permitted, even on a lead.
Camping in tents is prohibited

Be well equipped
Good equipment is the key to a successful hiking trip. Make sure you have a suitable rucksack (around 10 kg) and don’t forget the essentials:
- Technical clothing for cold and wet weather
- Sleeping bag or sleeping mat
- Sunglasses
- Food and water
- Head torch
- Walking poles
- Fully stocked first-aid kit

Water is essential. Find out about water supply points along your route and take water purification tablets with you in case you don’t have access to drinking water.

Before you set off
- Check the weather forecast to ensure there is no rain.
- Find out about the approach walk, the altitude of the route, the walking time and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.).
- Assess potential risks by consulting mountain professionals, mountain huts and lodges.
- Inform a friend or family member of your plans and contact them again if there are any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with each person’s phone number, vehicle(s), car park.
- Avoid setting off alone; use equipment suitable for the activity, properly adjusted and in good condition, including a head torch, a fully stocked first-aid kit, a survival blanket, etc.
- In the event of a problem, call 112(European emergency number).

Additional tips and recommendations
To find out more about our destination, visit our website: Pays de Gex Tourisme. Terre Valserhône Tourisme

A topographical map is available for purchase: https://reservation.terrevalserine.fr/topo-carte-des-rives-de-la-valserine-aux-sommets-du-jura.html

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

The Valserine is a river in eastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions, and a tributary of the right bank of the Rhône. It is renowned for the quality of its waters and its fish fauna. It was the first river to be awarded the ‘Rivière Sauvage de France’ label.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Other walks in the area

Walking Valserhône - La Ferme du Retord

Tourist office
↔8.42 mi ↗+2,999 ft ↘-36 ft ◔6h 30 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. First stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. Starting from Bellegarde station, the route runs past Mussel Castle and the hamlet of Ochiaz before climbing up to the Retord plateau. After a 1½-hour climb through the forest, a splendid panorama of the Jura and the Alps awaits you. The stage ends at La Charnay, with the option of staying overnight at the Ferme de Retord or continuing on to the Refuge de la Conay.

Walking Les Pertes de la Valserine and much more

Visorando Member
↔11.77 mi ↗+1,752 ft ↘-1,755 ft ◔6h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Ain)
This is a long hike that allows you to visit and admire not only the Pertes de la Valserine area, but also to walk along the banks of this river, which has profoundly shaped the landscape over the centuries and enabled industrial activity in the 19th century.

Walking Lancrans - La Charnay

Tourist office
Lancrans - La Charnay
↔10.50 mi ↗+3,182 ft ↘-640 ft ◔7h 35 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Lancrans (Ain)
The stage from Lancrans to La Charnay is the fourth stage of the six-day walking tour “La GTJ fromMijoux”. 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 massif. 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.

Walking The Gorges and Pertes de la Valserine

Visorando Member
Les Gorges et les Pertes de la Valserine
↔3.89 mi ↗+846 ft ↘-869 ft ◔2h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lancrans (Ain)
A pleasant walk along the Valserine Gorges, from Les Pertes to Bellegarde. Very popular in hot weather as much of the route is in the woods and always close to the river. Please note that a municipal by-law dated 11 April 2024 prohibits continuing the hike beyond point 5 along the banks of the Valsorine (footbridges closed)

Walking Lancrans - La Charnay

Tourist office
↔10.44 mi ↗+3,133 ft ↘-610 ft ◔7h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lancrans (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November ( subject to there being no snow). Fourth 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.

Walking The banks of the Rhône between Arlod and Génissiat

Tourist office
Les Berges du Rhône entre Arlod et Génissiat
↔8.16 mi ↗+997 ft ↘-984 ft ◔4h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Ain)
This trail allows you to explore the riverbanks, which tell a story through fishing, geology and industry. Halfway along, take a break at the magnificent shaded viewpoint.

Walking The water ridges

Visorando Member
Les crets d'eau
↔8.42 mi ↗+3,196 ft ↘-3,163 ft ◔6h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Ain)
Plateau of the Jura mountain range, overlooking the valleys of Bellegarde sur Valserine and Fort l'écluse. The highest point of the Crêt de la Goutte offers a 360° panorama of the Jura Natural Park and Lake Geneva on the Geneva side, with a horizon dominated by the Alps, including Mont Blanc.

Walking Circular at Grand Crêt d'Eau

Visorando Member
Boucle au Grand Crêt d'Eau
↔4.62 mi ↗+1,345 ft ↘-1,375 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lancrans (Ain)
A circular with limited elevation gain, winding through mountain pastures, allowing you to visit three of the ridges that form the Grand Crêt d'Eau (including the highest point) and enjoy breathtaking views of the Genevois and the Alps.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.