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Park at the side of the D25 just before La Pesse, at the entrance to the small road branching off to the right. There is plenty of space to park set back from the road. Use of an IGN map and/or GPS is strongly recommended.
(S/E) Take this small road, which is currently blocked by a large tree (late winter, early spring). The road gradually turns into a forest track that is wide and very easy to walk on.
(1) At the junction, with a blue hut on the left, turn right. N.B. The return leg of the walk will follow the path leading off to the left. The forest track gradually deteriorates, with deep ruts caused by forestry machinery. Multiple junctions appear, which can be misleading; do stay on the main route.
(2) Continue along the middle path at the fork.
(3) Continue the route by taking the middle path at the fork.
Caution: the path has disappeared due to logging. Progress is not difficult at this time of year (early May) as the vegetation has not yet grown, but you will need to go round tree trunks and piles of branches. Stay on the route, which will lead you a little further on to a well-maintained path leading down to the Combe d’Évuaz.
Pass beneath a ruin in a clearing.
(4) Return to a fairly wide path. Take a hairpin bend to the left a little further down. Pass in front of a well-built chalet-style cabin (under construction at the time of writing this route description). The path descends into the Combe d’Évuaz, passing several typical Jura houses with their metal cladding. Just before a livestock farm (elevation 1032 m), leave a path on the right signposted for Les Roches d’Orvaz. Climb up the other side of the valley to join the small road. Follow it to the right for about 100 m.
(5) Follow a path branching off to the left, which climbs gradually, then joins a forest road much further on. During this climb, ignore the other turnings.
(6) Turn left onto the forest road, which is a cross-country ski trail in winter. You may encounter cyclists. Climb gradually along theGRP® Grand Tour de la Valserine to a junction at elevation 1313.
(7) Two options:
- Follow the very steep path on the right towards Crêt de Chalam; a sign indicates 1.5 km. To do this, follow the description below and reach a new fork at an elevation of 1423 metres.
- Continue straight on along the path to the Borne au Lion, on the cross-country ski trail. This significantly shortens the route, but it’s a real shame not to go to Crêt de Chalam.
(8) Turn right. Reach the ridge and follow it up to the left to quickly reach the summit of the Crêt (orientation tables). The view is remarkable: the Crêt de la Neige, the Reculet, the Dôle. On the horizon, the Alpine range with Mont Blanc on a clear day, and the village of La Pesse below.
(9) Two options:
- If you are concerned about a steep descent on a very stony path, turn back to the fork (elevation 1423m). Then continue to the right, on the path that leads most easily to La Borne au Lion; this is the classic route and the most popular one.
- Otherwise, follow the route description. Continue down to the Col de l’Encoche. The path is steep and stony. In wet and rainy weather, it can be slippery. The descent is certainly charming, and the path is well-marked. Some hikers find it too rugged (see the alternative below); you must descend with care, but many people use this route. At the Col de l'Encoche, there is abundant vegetation with tall grass (and flowers depending on the season); you must turn right into the grass even if you cannot see your feet clearly. You rejoin the path a little further down, which presents no difficulty until the Borne au Lion.
(10) There are tables where you can sit down for a picnic.
Then head towards La Pesse. You have a choice:
- or via the marked walking and snowshoe trails, which avoid walking on tarmac.
- or take the road to reach the Berbois lodge (with its teepees).
(11) Continue left along the road. Head downhill following the GR 509 and the GTJ, and much further down you’ll reach La Pesse.
(12) Turn left onto the Rue principale de l’Épicéa (D 25e4), passing in front of the town hall. Continue to a junction of the D 25 and D 25e4 roads. Follow the D 25e4 for a few metres.
(13) Turn right onto the Route Forestière du Cernétrou, heading due south uphill. Yellow markings.
(14) Further up, do not continue the climb but take a path on the mountainside to the right. A small tree lies across the path and obscures it slightly. Yellow markings at regular intervals indicate the direction and help you stay on the route.
(15) Do not continue along the path on the descent, but turn left as you climb, following the yellow markings. A large tree has fallen across the path. Further on, continue along the path on the right, leaving the wider track. This area is full of charm. Return to the blue hut.
(1) Turn right and follow the path back the way you came to reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Very difficult 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Moderate 
Tourist office
