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The starting point is Place des Déportés 1944 in Oyonnax, in front of the Lycée Paul Painlevé. Parking spaces are available.
NB: the route was slightly modified on 08/10/2020 at the starting point, which now seems much more convenient (especially with free parking).
(S/E) Head towards Rue Confas (north-east) and continue until you reach the river.
(1) After crossing the river, turn right onto Chemin du Petit Moulin. Near the allotments, follow the path along the Rivière de la Sarsouille, sometimes on the right bank and sometimes on the left, towards La Brétouze. The facilities are fairly well designed (including footbridges).
(2) After about 30 minutes, you will reach the Forestière de la Bretouze road. Turn right onto this road and continue for about 500 m until you reach a kiosk (known as the Brétouze kiosk) on your left.
(3) Near the kiosk, take a path on the left with a slight incline until you reach a forest track (unpaved).
(4) At the intersection, turn left uphill and continue for about 500 m (you will also take this section on the way back).
(5) At 762 m, as indicated on a signpost, continue to the right.
Please note: the sign for Lac Genin on the right is no longer there; only the one on the left remains. Continue along a slightly steeper road until you reach an intersection. Continue straight ahead (sign for Lac Genin).
NB: just before point 6, there is another signpost: stay on the forest track (do not turn right onto a farm track covered in brambles).
(6) Not far away, you will come to another intersection (Les Quatres Chemins according to the sign). Continue straight ahead until you reach a paved road (Chemin de la Guerre). Turn left and follow the road for about 50 metres.
(7) Take a path on the right and then continue right at thefirst intersection. After a descent, the route takes a good, recently created forest track.
(8) A fork in the road is reached a little further down: a moderately visible sign indicates the location "Sous l'Échine". Continue to the left along the forest track. At the end of the track, continue straight ahead along the path.
(9) At thefirst intersection, turn left (as indicated by the signpost) onto a path that is steep at first, then becomes more moderate. You will reach a fork. Keep left uphill, then continue right a little further on, as indicated by the yellow signpost. After a final uphill section, the route continues without any significant elevation gain. Ignore the other paths and continue straight ahead.
(10) At an intersection, take a path on the left downhill and follow the yellow markings. You will come to a road (connecting Lac Genin and Apremont). Keep left and follow it for about 200 m. After a house on the left, take a path downhill towards Lac Genin.
(11) Enjoy the scenery of the lake and its surroundings: in short, it's almost like being in a little piece of Canada. An inn by the lake is a good place to stop for a break.
It is possible to walk around the entire lake. On the more rugged eastern side, you will find a small curiosity: the lake's outlet (the Embouteillou), where the excess water disappears into an underground channel.
Take the north-northeast road back towards Brétouze. Once you reach a paved road, continue on the left.
(12) Take a path on the right that goes uphill. Ignore the path on the right.
(13) Cross the paved road again and go straight ahead, following the signs, then follow the path to a forest road.
(14) Follow this path on the left for over a kilometre until you reach the fork you saw earlier.
(5) Continue straight ahead on the forest track you took on the way there until you reach the next intersection.
(4) Continue straight ahead, leaving the path that leads to the kiosk on your right. At the next intersection (car park), go straight ahead, staying on the paved road. You will see the sign for the town of Oyonnax while overlooking the allotment gardens. Continue straight ahead downhill until you reach Place des Déportés 1944 at the starting point (S/E).
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