The Cirque de Branveau and Mont Chanais from Échenevex

From Gex, take the D994C towards Saint-Genis-Pouilly. After 3 km, turn right towards Échenex. Park near the town hall.

(S/E) From the town hall square, with the town hall on your left, take Rue François Estier opposite and then the first left, Rue du Stade. Continuing straight ahead, the street becomes Rue de la Pierre and then Chemin du Pied du Mont. You will arrive at the Fontaine de la Pierre fountain.
(1) Turn right (yellow markings). The path leaves the houses and arrives at the edge of a field (horses). Go through the turnstile and cross the field lengthwise, keeping your eyes on a beige building in the background. Keep to the right until you reach Chemin du Réservoir, below a water reservoir.

(2) Take the stony path that branches off to the left, then turn left again. Immediately afterwards, turn right onto the path closed off by a cable. Follow this path lined with a fence, pass through the undergrowth to reach an intersection at a place called La Carrière.

(3) Turn left and follow the main path uphill. After a flat section, at a small clearing (signs), leave the path and turn right onto a track that climbs straight up the slope and joins a tarmac road.

(4) Turn left for 50 metres and rejoin the white path on the right. Continue along this wide path, which climbs steadily, ignoring a track coming from the left, until you reach a hairpin bend (signposted Chalet de Branveau).

(5) Negotiate the left-hand bend, ignore a track on the left further on, then five other intersections. When you reach another clearing, go through the barbed wire fence and continue uphill, where the path becomes a little steeper. You will come to a bend in the track (sign).

(6) Continue straight ahead along the dirt path at the edge of a valley (or else to the right along the path and the panorama). In a short time, the path rejoins the track you left earlier. Follow it to reach the open area of Branveau. Continue to the chalet.

(7) Pass in front of it and take the path on the right to reach the Col de Branveau, just above (there is a bird's eye view of the Creux de l'Envers forest and the side of the ridges towards La Faucille).

(8) Then, turn right for a final climb via a grassy corridor (facing the Alps), which leads to Mont Chanais.

(9) It rises to an altitude of 1,446 metres, with a flat summit and a 360° panorama. The return journey is identical to the outward journey, taking the same path in the opposite direction (S/E).

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

1. Safety instructions:

This route crosses part of the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, so please respect the regulations.
https://www.rnn-hautechainedujura.fr/

Among these rules: Dogs are not permitted, even on a lead!

1. Before setting off:

- Check the general and local weather forecast to ensure there will be no precipitation

- Find out about the approach walk, the height of the route, the walking time, and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.)

- Assess the possible risks by consulting mountain professionals, refuges, 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).

(9) Mont Chanais: the ideal place to take in the view! If the view of the Alps is clear, that's the icing on the cake!

Binoculars (with high magnification) are recommended for observing chamois.