The little circular loop of the Valserine

de fr

Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions.

From Lélex, set off to conquer the highest peak in the Jura: the Crêt de la Neige, at an altitude of 1,720 metres. Following the Balcon du Léman trail, you will enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramas in Europe, with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine range. Finally, you will reach Crêt de Chalam, at an altitude of 1,545 metres. This iconic summit offers a last breath of freedom, nature and wild beauty before concluding this unforgettable circular route.

Part of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations: dogs are not permitted, even on a lead, and camping in tents is also prohibited.
Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Details

n°90178167
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 35.59 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,005 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,011 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,717 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 580 m

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S

    Lélex - Chézery-Forens

    ↔18.33 km ↗945 m ↘1,266 m
    Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. First stage of the "La petite boucle de la Valserine" circular hiking trail, from Lélex to Chézery-Forens. From Lélex, climb up to Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m), the highest point in the Jura, with an exceptional panorama of Mont Blanc and the Alps. The stage ends at Crêt de Chalam (1,545 m). Protected area: dogs and tent camping are prohibited in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve.
    View the route
  2. E

    Chézery-Forens - Lélex

    ↔17.25 km ↗1,060 m ↘745 m
    Open from1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Second stage of the “La petite boucle de la Valserine” circular walking route, from Chézery to Lélex. This stage, starting from Chézery, will take you through a beautiful variety of landscapes, including wild rivers, lush forests, panoramic viewpoints and Jura valleys. Make the most of this stage to take in the stunning views.
    View the route

Notes

Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Part of the route is located in a nature reserve, so please respect 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. Bring a suitable rucksack (around 10 kilos) and don't forget the essentials: technical clothing for cold weather; sleeping bag or groundsheet; sunglasses; food and water; head torch; walking sticks; first aid kit; water containers.

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

You are now ready to embark on your adventure and explore the Jura Mountains. Whether it's for the scenery, the people you meet or the beauty of the surroundings, every moment is an invitation to discovery.

Before you set off
- Check the general and local weather forecast to make sure there is no precipitation.
- Find out about the approach walk, the height of the route, the journey time and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.).
- Assess the possible risks by consulting mountain professionals, refuges, and lodges.
- Inform a friend or family member of your plans and contact them again in case of any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with each person's telephone number, vehicle(s), parking.
- Avoid setting off alone. Use equipment that is suitable for the activity, properly adjusted and in good condition, including a head torch, a complete first aid kit, a survival blanket, etc.
- In case of an emergency, call 112(European emergency number).

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

Worth a visit

The Hauts Sommets du Haut-Jura form one of the most remarkable natural areas in the Jura Mountains, on the border between France and Switzerland. These gentle yet majestic hills offer vast landscapes of ridges, deep forests and wide high-altitude meadows. As they explore these peaks, visitors can admire spectacular panoramic views that sometimes stretch as far as the Alps and the famous Mont Blanc. In both summer and winter, this area is ideal for nature lovers, offering numerous opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing and observing the flora and fauna typical of the Jura.

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.

Other walks in the area

Walking Lélex - Chézery-Forens

Tourist office
↔18.33 km ↗+945 m ↘-1,266 m ◔7h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. First stage of the "La petite boucle de la Valserine" circular hiking trail, from Lélex to Chézery-Forens. From Lélex, climb up to Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m), the highest point in the Jura, with an exceptional panorama of Mont Blanc and the Alps. The stage ends at Crêt de Chalam (1,545 m). Protected area: dogs and tent camping are prohibited in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve.

Walking La Valserine, a wild river in Lélex

Tourist office
La Valserine, rivière sauvage à Lélex
↔4.79 km ↗+52 m ↘-55 m ◔1h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. Accessible to all, this beautiful walk follows the Valserine, whose cool, clear waters meander through lush green surroundings. This pleasant walk along the water is open from April to November. It borders the first classified wild river in France, which gave its name to the valley. The Valserine has shaped the landscape with its floods and punctuated the lives of the inhabitants, as evidenced by the remains of several mills and the region's stone-cutting tradition. The route passes through woodland paths, meadows and duckboards, and is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Walking Lélex - Bellecombe

Tourist office
Lélex - Bellecombe
↔11.24 km ↗+498 m ↘-138 m ◔4h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to snow conditions. From Lélex to Bellecombe via the Haute Chaîne: the first stage of the four-day walking tour “La Valserine enchanteresse”. La Valserine is no fairy, but she enchants with every step. Her magical valley guides us between the high plateaus and ridges of the Jura, offering breathtaking views of the Alps. A journey through wild nature and poetry.

Walking From the enchanting Valserine to the summit of the Jura from Lélex

Tourist office
De la Valserine enchanteresse au sommet du Jura depuis Lélex
↔52.80 km ↗+2,044 m ↘-2,056 m ◔4 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. This route, between the high plateaus and ridges of the Jura, offers magical panoramic views of the Alps from the Jura mountain range. A route combining mystery, magic and discovery... Please note that part of the hike crosses a protected area.Part of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations.Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash, and camping is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Walking Lélex - Mijoux

Tourist office
↔14.87 km ↗+492 m ↘-402 m ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to snow conditions. First stage of the three-day multi-day hike "Le balcon du Léman". An exceptional route through the highest peaks of the Jura Mountains and the wild landscapes of the Haut-Jura plateau, set against a backdrop of spectacular views of Lake Geneva and the Alps from the highest peaks of the Jura mountain range. These wild areas, full of surprises and wonders, will make this multi-day hike unforgettable.

Walking The Balcon du Léman from Lélex

Tourist office
↔42.04 km ↗+1,832 m ↘-1,841 m ◔3 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. An exceptional route through the highest peaks of the Jura mountains and the wild landscapes of the Haut-Jura plateau, with spectacular panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps from the highest peaks of the Jura mountain range. These wild spaces full of surprises and wonders will make this hiking trip unforgettable. Part of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations: dogs are not allowed, even on a leash, and camping in tents is prohibited. Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Walking The Truchet viewpoint from Lélex

Tourist office
Le belvédère du Truchet depuis Lélex
↔7.95 km ↗+360 m ↘-368 m ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. This route, overlooking the upper Jura mountain range, is accessible to all hikers and offers panoramic views of the Valserine valley, including Lélex, and the upper Jura mountain range.

Walking Les hauts sommets du massif du Jura depuis Lélex

Tourist office
Les hauts sommets du massif du Jura depuis Lélex
↔16.03 km ↗+939 m ↘-945 m ◔7h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lélex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions This tour offers a varied and challenging route, from the banks of the Valserine to the highest peaks of the Jura, with sublime views of the Alps, Lake Geneva and the Jura mountains. Starting from Lélex, the path runs alongside the Valserine and its peat bog before beginning the ascent of the Reculet (1,719 m) and the Crêt de la Neige, the highest point of the massif at 1,720 m. On the way back down to Lélex, note the remains of old buildings, evidence of the alpine farming tradition of the Jura Mountains.

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.