Le Chasseron and the Saut de l'Eau

Free parking at Col des Etroits de Sainte-Croix.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the road with caution and head towards the road leading downhill. Look for the signs and follow the direction "Noirvaux-Dessus".

(1) Cross the road and take the path downhill. A little further on, take a barely visible path on the left (yellow diamond on a tree below). You will cross the main path several times until you reach the road.

(2) Cross the road carefully and head towards the hamlet opposite. Then turn right towards "La Vy Jaccard". A little further on, ignore the path that goes straight ahead and continue climbing on the left until you reach the Refuge la Vy-Jaccard.

(3) Take the path downhill on your right towards "La Grotte aux Fées". At the intersection of the three paths, take the path towards "Le Chasseron" on your right and continue until you reach the road.

(4) Follow the road carefully, keeping towards "Le Chasseron" on your left. Then look for a path climbing up on your right. Be careful and cross the road. Continue along this main path until you reach the next road (the signposting is clear).

(5) Cross the road and take the path uphill towards "Chalet de La Mayaz".

(6) Continue climbing, taking the hairpin bend to the left towards "La Dénériaz-Dessous". At the next intersection, continue in the same direction.

(7) Take the path downhill to the road. Then climb up to the right to the "La Dénériaz-Dessous" refuge. Look for the signs and take the barely visible path towards "La Merlaz". This is a very wild area, so be careful. A little further on, an arrow indicates the path, which is better marked, then a fairly steep climb through the forest leads to a field. Continue climbing until you reach the Merlaz farm. Magnificent view of the Chasseron. Pass the gate and continue to the right.

(8) Take the zigzag path uphill, then across the field.

(9) Once at the top, head towards the Pierre de la Paix by going left and then back, and continue to the Chasseron.

(10) Then retrace your steps.

(9) At the signs, head towards "Les Avattes" and follow the ridges to the chalet restaurant in the hamlet.

(11) Just before you reach the Chalet des Avattes, look for the yellow sign on your right and take the path towards the hut. Go down through the forest and, at the last fir tree, join the path, still on your right. Continue straight ahead on this beautiful path until you reach the place called Le Sollier.

(12) Take the road on your left towards "Chalet de la Maya" for a few metres, then descend into the field on your right. Be careful, as the trail is poorly marked and difficult to see (do not go up towards the old turnstile). After a short stretch on flat ground, descend to the road and continue on your right until you reach Chalet de la Maya.

(13) Look for a turnstile on your left and take the path downhill towards "Le Saut de l'Eau".

(14) At the bottom of the path, take the path on your right to reach the Saut de l'Eau site (safe footbridges and steps). Once you reach the waterfall, cross the footbridge and continue along the path.

(15) Continue towards "Col des Etroits" on the main path. The signposts at the end of this route are clearly visible. When you reach the road, continue along it on your left until you reach the farm.

(16) Look for a turnstile and continue on this path downhill to the car park ::S/E::. At the pass, cross the road with caution.

Picnic table at the start.

After point (2), at a place called La Vy-Jaccard: picnic table.

After point (7), at a place called La Dénériaz-Dessous, there is a picnic table.

The section after the "La Dénériaz-Dessous" refuge towards "La Merlaz" is very wild, so pay close attention to the signposts!

At the point (9): Les Avattes restaurant chalet.

At the point (11): markings are scarce, so be careful.

At the point (12): Mont de La Maya chalet restaurant.

I recommend having the GPX track for this hike for peace of mind.

At point (9): Les Avattes chalet restaurant, option to make a return trip to La Croix du Cochet.

You don't need to go to Ireland or Brittany to find sacred places. French-speaking Switzerland is full of standing stones and other ancient monuments. This cultural heritage is an opportunity to connect with the invisible and experience the sacred. Near Le Chasseron, La Pierre de la Paix, an engraved boulder, marks the exact spot where the energy is most intense. The spot is located at the intersection of three ley lines and is said to bring serenity and vitality. To benefit from this energy boost, sit on the stone and feel what is happening in your body.