The Scia viewpoint

Head off to explore the Scia viewpoint.
At an altitude of 800m, this remarkable natural site offers views across the entire Lizon Plateau near the Annuelle Forest (GR® trail). It is equipped with an orientation table and picnic facilities.
Then head to another natural site: Lac d’Antre.

Details

2681018
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.25 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,112 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,099 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,933 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,369 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

To get to the starting point, take the D470 towards Saint-Claude and, before the road becomes a three-lane carriageway, turn left towards Les Louvières.
Drive 100m along this road and park near the bin area at a place called Grand Pré.

(S/E) Turn left onto the forest road towards Les Louvières. You’ll soon come to a Y-junction.

(1) Keep right on this road to reach the restaurant, ignoring the road on the left leading to Les Amaurandes. Continue towards Les Louvières.

(2) At the signpost, turn slightly left onto theGRP® Tour du Haut-Jura, marked in red and yellow.
Continue along this path until you reach the junction with a forest track, then turn right onto the forest track.
Walk 150m to reach the hamlet of La Ragea.

(3) Take the path on the left to visit the Black Madonna, located about 200m away.
Return to the forest road, turn left onto it, and continue until you reach the Belvédère de la Scia.

(4) Leave the forest road and theGRP® to take the path to the left of it towards Ravillolles.
Follow this path until you reach a forest road.

(5) Turn left onto this road and cross the Ruisseau des Nans. After a short climb, you’ll reach another forest track at a multi-way junction.

(6) Turn left and take the first path leading into the forest on the right. You will very quickly reach the junction with the Route Forestière de la Ragea on the left.
Here you have two options:
- turn right onto an unmarked and little-used forest track, using the app and the route track if you have them. Cross through the forest, keeping a general north-westerly direction, to reach a forest track (shown on the map).
- Turn right onto the Route Forestière de la Ragea; at La Ragea, join theGR®9, then turn right to reach the Grange du Lac d’Antre (8).

(7) Turn 90° left onto the forest track, continue in a south-westerly direction, pass the Grange du Pertuis du Louvret and reach the Grange du Lac d'Antre.

(8) Cross theGR® and continue towards the lake, following the path running parallel to the Crêt Blanc ridge and the Grande Combe. Return to the original junction.

(1) Follow the same route as on the way out to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,385 ft - Grand Pré car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.27 - alt. 2,451 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.24 - alt. 2,864 ft - Turn left towards the Scia viewpoint
  4. 3 : mi 2.2 - alt. 2,818 ft - Black Madonna junction
  5. 4 : mi 2.74 - alt. 2,805 ft - Scia Viewpoint
  6. 5 : mi 4.28 - alt. 2,602 ft - Turn left onto the forest track
  7. 6 : mi 4.75 - alt. 2,808 ft - Multi-way junction
  8. 7 : mi 5.49 - alt. 2,749 ft - Forest path
  9. 8 : mi 6.55 - alt. 2,635 ft - Grange du Lac d'Antre
  10. S/E : mi 8.25 - alt. 2,385 ft - Grand Pré car park

Notes

To watch the video of the route profile: click here
About the route profile video: I scouted this route to check that the description was accurate. When I scout a route, I do so by running, relying on the signal received by my phone when I stray from the route or take the wrong path. This allows me to correct the description.

Route not suitable for pushchairs
Practical tips for starting the hike:
I strongly recommend using the app on a smartphone, which will also allow you to be geolocated at all times, enabling you to track your movements accurately.
-1) Check that your location and sound are enabled in your phone’s settings.
-2) On the hike summary page, tap the + icon then tap Start this hike. You will then receive an audible alert when you stray from the path.
-3) During the hike, when you hear the alert, zoom in on the map to see where you are and get back on the right track.
-4) Once the hike is finished, tap + and then ‘Finish this hike’.
Watch out for ticks
A common occurrence in the Jura forests, ticks are voracious and can be found everywhere.
Don’t forget to check yourself over after your walk.

Worth a visit

Les Louvières restaurant.

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.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
ppillon
ppillon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, mostly through the forest, with a particular highlight being the site of Lac d'Antre. The route is well described and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing.

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netphi@sfr.fr
netphi@sfr.fr

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but you absolutely must have a GPS as there are no signposts and the path has disappeared in places: many trees fell a long time ago and nature has reclaimed the area.

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OYJO
OYJO

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

poorly signposted route from the viewpoint to Lac d'Antre and from Lac d'Antre back to the finish

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Primot Masson
Primot Masson

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At 5, after crossing the Ruisseau des Nans, we continued along the narrow road, which involved a fairly long climb that took us to a crossroads with a forest track on the right leading to "La Montagne", where we took a path on the left that led us to Lac d'Antre.The directions aren’t very clear after crossing the stream. Apart from that, a lovely walk.

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MUMMY
MUMMY
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, enjoyed in glorious weather. The view from the Scia viewpoint was panoramic: the road to St Claude below, and in the distance: La Dole, the Col de la Faucille, the Crêt de la Neige, the Colomby de Geix... The route runs through woodland for the most part.
The downsides:
The starting point with the GPS: we drove up to the restaurant, which you shouldn’t do as the road is very narrow and it’s impossible to pass. You should stay down below, as the description indicates, and park near the rubbish bin. You remain within sight of the main road. A small area marked out by rocks allows several vehicles to park.
At point 6, take the road branching off to the left and, 100 metres further on, the path on the right. These are not forest tracks but small tarmac roads.
Between points 6 and 7, the path returns to its natural state; numerous shrubs have grown up, and the route has not been maintained for a very long time. In some places the path has disappeared, so the GPX track is essential to stay on course, otherwise you may get lost.
Near the lake, the path has been completely churned up.
200 metres past point 8, take the path that climbs to the left and moves away from the lake. A little further on, there is a risk of getting lost as there are numerous branches of tracks laid out for timber hauling. The condition of the path is rather poor due to forestry machinery. Furthermore, numerous trees have been felled and are blocking the way; this has been the case for quite some time and does not appear to be a temporary situation.
In conclusion, make good use of your smartphone with the GPX track for certain sections
Otherwise, very pleasant overall with a picturesque little lake.
Thank you for this route

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