Le Reculet and the ridges of the Jura Mountains from Saint-Jean-de-Gonville

The route starts from the car park at Saint-Jean-de-Gonville church.

Unmarked sections

(S/E) Heading due north, follow Rue de l’Église to a crossroads marked by a fountain, then turn left and head up Rue du Gachet.

(1) Just after passing the last houses, turn right onto a path and continue straight on at the junction with another path. You’ll reach another path near the Pierre du Neyret (optional left turn in 5 minutes).

(2) Continue to the right, then very quickly turn left at the next junction. A little further on, turn right at a Fork in the road and pass by the Maison Driset. When you reach another path, continue straight ahead on the track, then turn left for a very short climb.

(3) After passing the two boulders of the Pierre du Paray, follow the edge of the field to the path and follow it to the right. Ignore the^first junction on the right, then at the^second continue straight on along a path. You’ll reach a junction not far from the end of a forest track.

(4) Continue to the right, then at a Fork in the road take the right-hand branch. After a short descent, you’ll reach a junction: continue straight on, following the path uphill (note that this is not shown on IGN maps). After a short stretch with little change in elevation, look out for a discreet path on the left.

(5) Follow it uphill. You will reach a hut.

(6) Continue along the path to the nearby forest track. Follow it briefly to the right and then turn left onto the path. Further up, you’ll reach another forest track.

(7) Follow it to the right for about 1.1 km, down a gentle slope. At a clearly marked junction, continue left onto the ascending path. You will join the path coming from Tiocan

Marked sections

(8) Turn left either onto a “shortcut” path according to this route (not shown on IGN maps), or just after the signposted route. Continue along the path, which includes some steep slopes.

(9) At the Croisée junction, continue straight on towards Narderans along a path running at the foot of some cliffs. You will reach a vast area of mountain pastures near the Chalet du Nardérans.

(10) At the junction, continue straight on, climbing briefly up the valley until you reach the edge of a basin. The path then turns right and runs along the foot of a long cliff face: after another short climb, the Reculet, topped by a clearly visible cross, appears directly ahead.

(11) The summit offers a 360-degree panoramic view (notably towards Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Jura). Descend to the south-west towards the ridges, then continue along a path with a series of short ascents and descents. Further on, you’ll reach an isolated rocky peak.

(12) Follow a narrow path to the right running along the foot of the rocky spur and you will soon reach the Grotte de la Marie du Jura (it is not very deep). Continue along the path and join the ridge line, then shortly afterwards the marked route. Caution: this entire section requires a degree of vigilance; however, it can be avoided ( see Practical Information for further details).

Continue southwards, beginning a steep descent. From here, the route involves a long series of ascents and descents. Reach the summit of the Pierre de la Lune.

(13) You will begin to see the Gralet area: continue through a slightly more wooded environment, with a few more ups and downs. Reach the Passage des Chézerands on the edge of another open area. (Optional access to the Chalet du Gralet, 5 mins away).

(14) Head left towards Feigères and Péron. After a long descent, cross a forest track, then take a^second one near its end.

Unmarked sections

(15) Head left, then shortly afterwards continue along a downhill path joining a track.

(16) Turn right and follow the path for about 800 metres: take a poorly marked path on the right and very quickly follow another, better-marked path to join the Chemin de Pré Bailly at elevation 693.

(17) Continue to the right and very soon turn left onto a track. Further down, you’ll reach a small tarmac road (Chemin de la Grande Vie). Then head back to the junction from the outward journey.

(1) Continue straight on and return to the car park (S/E)

The route starts from the Church of Saint-Jean-de-Gonville (viewable on Google Maps). Parking spaces are available.

Please take your rubbish with you; nature will thank you for it.

Below is a difficulty rating by section (a route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly easy route with no significant elevation gain or difficulty.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-marked route.
- Orange: routes presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route conditions (markings or visibility of the path).
- Red: difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment presenting some hazards.
- Black: a route on a fairly difficult trail and/or involving imminent dangers.
- White: routes in very challenging technical environments requiring specific equipment.

Alternative route:

After the Pierre du Paray (3), it is possible to follow a different route: at the^first junction, turn right, then left until you reach the road. Follow this road for a long stretch to Le Tiocan, then turn left, following one of the marked routes (you may wish to consult the directions in the description of Le Reculet from Tiocan).

From (S/E) to (1): Green difficulty
The route is very easy to follow in an urbanised environment.
Unmarked section.

From (1) to (5): Blue difficulty
The route follows a succession of trackways and footpaths where the main difficulty is navigation; the use of a GPS is recommended.
Unmarked section

From (5) to (7): Blue difficulty
Spotting the start of the path on the left isn’t always easy in this wooded area. The section between the two forest tracks then takes you over a few steep slopes.
Unmarked section.

From (7) to (8): Green difficulty
The route continues easily along a forest track.
Unmarked section.

From (8) to (9): Blue difficulty
Follow a short section of trail before continuing along a rather worn concrete track. The route involves steep slopes.
Yellow-marked section + signposts.

From (9) to (10): Blue difficulty
The route takes place in a rocky environment at the foot of a cliff, featuring numerous well-constructed facilities. There are a few steep sections.
Yellow-marked section + signposts.

From (10) to (11): Blue difficulty
The path climbs up a valley with gentle slopes to the edge of a basin, then veers off to the right with a few steep sections.
Yellow-marked section + signposts.

From (11) to (12): Blue difficulty / Orange difficulty in the Grotte à la Marie area.
To begin with, follow a path descending from the summit of the Reculet, then continue along a path with a gentle gradient. Continue along a path that fades slightly over short sections, all accompanied by regular markings with small wooden posts.
Shortly afterwards, you reach the path leading to the Grotte de la Marie. Caution: the route follows a narrow path along steep grassy slopes which themselves overlook cliffs not far away, so a minimum of caution is required. If you suffer from vertigo or if the ground conditions are unfavourable (particularly in the presence of snow), you should follow the marked path to the left.
The route is marked with red and white GR® signs up to the start of the path leading to the cave.

From (12) to (13): Blue difficulty
You rejoin the marked path, which then enters a fairly steep descent that is somewhat dry and potentially slippery due to the presence of stones. The route then continues not far from the edge of the ridge line with a succession of ascents and descents.
White-Red GR® marked section.

From (13) to (14): Blue difficulty
The path alternates between ascents and descents with few notable difficulties.
White-Red GR® marked section.

From (14) to (15): Blue difficulty
Follow a gently sloping path, then the slopes suddenly become steeper for a short while. After the junction with the forest track, the slopes are gentler.
Yellow-marked section.

From (15) to (16): Blue difficulty
You briefly follow a forest track, then continue along a path with no excessive gradient.
Unmarked section.

From (16) to (17): Green difficulty
Follow a very easy track until the fork (note that the path on the right is difficult to spot at the start).
Unmarked section.

From (17) to (1): Green difficulty
A path leads us down to a small road which then joins the route from the outward leg.
Unmarked section.

• Pierre du Neyret and Pierre du Paray: these are erratic boulders dating from the Ice Age. For more information, click here.
• Summit of Le Reculet: read the Wikipedia article.
• Grotte de la Marie du Jura: read the following article: click here. Also read an extract from an old publication (1898): click here.