Tour of the viewpoints in Giron

In a typical Jura setting, this loop offers exceptional panoramic views, such as the Roche Fauconnière.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.98 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 981 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 958 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,930 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,301 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Relais Nordique, next to the cemetery.

(S/E) From the cemetery, follow the road towards La Pesse for 300 m, then take the path on the left.

(1) In front of the Grange de l'Errance lodge, cross the road and go up the path opposite into the forest.

(2) Take the path on the right and follow it for 200 m until it joins a forest track. Then go up to the left and follow the cross-country ski trails until you see the sign for "Les 5 Chalets" (viewpoint over the southern part of the Jura). Go down the meadow on the left, enter the beech grove and take the left turn that leads to the ruins of a house.

(3) Head east, then follow the path on the right through the forest and clearing which, at the bottom of a descent, leads to a carriage road.

(4) Follow the path to the left for 250 m, then climb up to the right along a path that leads to a place called L'Achat (viewpoint over the high Jura mountains, the Crêt de Chalam and the Cirque des Avalanches).

(5) 300 m after the viewpoint, turn right and climb a path that enters the forest and leads to a forest track, which you follow for about 300 m.

(6) Leave the track and take the path on the right which leads to a junction of tracks near L'Auger.

(7) To the left of thesecond house, head north into the valley and follow the mountain bike signs. You can access the Cirque des Avalanches viewpoint via the forest track on the right (south for 350 m).

(8) When you reach the Cottin chalet (shelter), continue north until you reach the D48a road.

(9) Take the road on the left and follow it for about 800 m (from this point, follow the GRP® Yellow Red signs).

(10) Take the forest track on the right and go through a gate. At the next crossroads, turn left and go uphill (beautiful view of the Roche Fauconnière cliff).

(11) Turn right and continue along the path. Cross two clearings and continue to the viewpoint.

(12) View of the Cirque d'Orvaz, information panels (geology). Follow the path that joins the forest road and descend for 600 m

(13) Just before the edge of the forest, take the forest path on the left that leads to the cross. Follow the road downhill to the lodge

(1) Take the route you used on the way there on the right until you reach the Nordic relay (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,301 ft - Relais ordique
  2. 1 : mi 0.31 - alt. 3,471 ft - La Grange de l'Errance lodge
  3. 2 : mi 0.58 - alt. 3,701 ft - Trail to the forest road
  4. 3 : mi 1.64 - alt. 3,789 ft - Viewpoint
  5. 4 : mi 2.11 - alt. 3,711 ft - Pas du Boeuf
  6. 5 : mi 2.54 - alt. 3,812 ft - Shopping
  7. 6 : mi 2.94 - alt. 3,930 ft - Fork in the path on the right
  8. 7 : mi 3.29 - alt. 3,822 ft - Trail junction near L'Auger
  9. 8 : mi 4.24 - alt. 3,763 ft - Chalet Cottin
  10. 9 : mi 4.51 - alt. 3,770 ft - GRP Grand Tour de la Valserine
  11. 10 : mi 4.96 - alt. 3,865 ft - Forest track on the right
  12. 11 : mi 5.75 - alt. 3,875 ft - Continue to the right
  13. 12 : mi 6.44 - alt. 3,747 ft - La Roche Fauconnière
  14. 13 : mi 6.87 - alt. 3,488 ft - Edge of the forest
  15. S/E : mi 7.98 - alt. 3,301 ft - Nordic relay

Notes

Walking shoes, bring water, stay on the marked trail, dogs must be kept on a leash.
There are several places to eat in the village of Giron.

Worth a visit

(7) Don't miss the 300 m detour to admire the view of the Cirque des Avalanches.
In Giron, there is a musher who offers various activities in both summer and winter: dog trekking, dog trotting, sleigh rides
Discover the Marmites des Géants (Giants' Cauldrons) in Saint-Germain-de-Joux, 10 km away.
More info at

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
renemichel
renemichel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely flower-filled walk featuring a succession of very different forest settings. In the deep ruts left by forestry machinery, numerous orange-bellied mountain newts can be seen alongside plenty of amphibian tadpoles. The name of the walk is misleading, as there are only two viewing points offering stunning views. Very few walkers at this time in mid-June, and flowers in abundance.

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MJC Bellegarde Poussieu
MJC Bellegarde Poussieu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route that was accessible to our group of 25 walkers.

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Cathy21200
Cathy21200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had a lovely hike on 1 March, where we found snow on the higher ground and snowshoes were still a must.
The views are lovely.
A lovely immersion in nature.

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User 3956126

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, without difficulty and with beautiful views. Part of the trail has been damaged by large logging machines, but a passage has been created on the right.

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User 10954639

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful, uncomplicated route. Easy to follow.

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HOUET
HOUET

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Part of the route is difficult because the track has been damaged by forestry vehicles between points 7 and 8

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Terre Valserine Tourisme
Terre Valserine Tourisme

Hello,
Please note that the path between Augier and Chalet Cottin has been destroyed by forestry work.
The area can be bypassed by taking the avalanche route. This is a forest road parallel to the trail.

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pkra69
pkra69

Hello,
Hike completed yesterday, 9 June: it's very beautiful, except that the path between the COTTIN chalet and L'AUGER is completely ruined across its entire width and even beyond. It's almost impassable!
It's shameful on the part of the foresters and local authorities. Not recommended until the paths have been repaired.
And to think that the AIN department is ranked in the top 10 departments!

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rando843063
rando843063

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

With the Visorando app, it's easy to follow the route. A beautiful itinerary with magnificent views. A very pleasant route when it's hot, as part of it is in the forest and therefore shaded. It was a bit busy on the day we did it. I recommend this hike.

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ppnpeintre
ppnpeintre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

very nice hike

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Francis311
Francis311

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

With GPS tracking, navigation is no problem. Don't forget the return trip to the viewpoint at point 7. There are some beautiful views and lots of signs for snowshoeing to consider for this winter

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Christ38
Christ38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, very easy to do with the family, with magnificent views of the Jura mountains from different angles and perspectives. The problem is that the description is unclear: there is no sign for "les 5 chalets" (but there is a marker with this name much further down after the ruins of the house) and the markings disappear in the large meadow before the ruins of the house (although there are posts every 50 m in a small meadow further on). In short, a compass, map and good sense of direction are essential.

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jp.cael
jp.cael

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful views, allows you to explore the region

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jean-rolland fontana
jean-rolland fontana

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Once again, a well-suited itinerary for septuagenarians

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sebastien.coingroy@gmail.com
sebastien.coingroy@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant hike. Beautiful surroundings and few people!!!!:

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