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Car park on the D75, at the start of the hikes, at the end of Lac d'Illay, just before the hamlet. White, red and yellow markings.
(S/E) Take the gravel path along the shore of the lake (signposted Chemin des Lacs). Turn right at the first houses (signposted Pic de l'Aigle). When you give way, turn left up the main road for 150 metres, then climb the gravel path on the left. Cross the D39 once, continuing along the path opposite, then once more.
(1) There is now a fork in the road. Take the left-hand path. Shortly afterwards, at the next fork in the road, this time turn right and stay on this beautiful gravel path until you come to the Pied de l'Aigle signpost. Then climb the wooded hillside along the path on your left (Chemin du Château). At the top, you come to a gravel path at a signpost. Climb the log steps on the left to reach the viewpoint. With its 360° panorama, the Pic de l'Aigle lookout offers magnificent views of the Jura, the Hérisson valley, Grandvaux and Lac d'Ilay and, on a clear day, the Mont Blanc massif.
(2) Leave the peak and follow the ridge line.
(3) When the gravel path veers to the right and begins a long straight stretch, there are two options:
- (a) Simply continue following the markings on this clearly marked path.
- (b) For more adventurous(but cautious) walkers with a good sense of direction, look out for an oak tree (I think) on the left of the waymarked path and the path, 2 or 3 metres further on, which climbs up to the ledges and offers some lovely views of the lakes. Walk carefully along this beautiful line of ledges for about five hundred metres. But be careful! When you see the start of Lac du Grand Maclu between the trees, go down to the right about twenty paces to find the signposted path nearby. If you miss this marker, you'll come to a depression in the terrain that you shouldn't go into. Retrace your steps to find the marker.
(4) Back on the signposted path, go left. At the next fork in the road, turn left again to reach the Three Lakes lookout.
(5) After a new ridge line with beautiful crevices, you reach the last viewpoint: the Belvédère des Quatre Lacs.
(6) Take the stairs back down. Just before the car park, at the signpost, take the path on your left that leads back down into the valley (towards Côte du Maclu - Pont de la Chaux). Be careful, the path is steep and slippery. It is advisable not to leave the marked path.
(7) You will come to the D75, which you should turn left onto, following the cycle path. At the bend, turn left onto the gravel path that runs alongside the lakes to the car park (S/E).
The route includes ledge paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Good footwear is essential and the use of walking sticks is recommended.
Visorando Member
Association / Club / Walk leader
Tourist office
Difficult 
Easy 
