Lélex - Chézery-Forens

(S) Leave the tourist office towards the centre of Lélex, on the left, and at the ESF hut, turn left to begin the ascent to Crêt de la Neige. Stay on the GR®. Then turn left and reach the crossroads.

(1) At the junction with the white path, which is the green trail, continue straight ahead and follow the GR® marked in red and white.

(2) At the intersection, after this steep hill, turn left and stay on the GR®.

(3) At Le Ratou, turn left to stay on the GR® for 100 metres.

(4) At Les Serres, take the small path on the right to reach the Refuge de la Loge.

(5) Turn right to continue climbing.

(6) After crossing the ski slope in summer mode, at Brillonne d'en haut, turn left and follow the GR®.

(7) When you leave the forest, leave the GR® and continue straight ahead into the valley towards Les Brulats Frésy.

(8) Back on the GR®, continue straight ahead to reach the ridges for a well-deserved view.

(9) On the ridges, turn right towards the highest peak in the Jura: Crêt de la Neige (1,718 metres).

(10) Now rewarded with this breathtaking view, continue straight ahead on the GR® to the second highest peak, the Reculet.

(11) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead to the fork at a place called Sur Thoiry.

(12) Follow the red and white markings opposite.

(13) At the fork, continue straight ahead for about 300 metres to Reculet (altitude 1,718 metres).

(14) After enjoying the view, turn around and head back down to Chézery until you reach the previous crossroads.

(13) Descend to the left and continue to a fork in the road towards Thoiry Derrière.

(15) At this crossroads, take the path on the left to Chézery-Forens.

(16) At Les Chalets de Lachats, turn onto the white path that descends to the right. Follow the path around a bend and you will arrive at a fork.

(17) 2.8 km after Les Chalets de Lachats, follow the yellow markings, which allow you to cut across the bends in places. First, leave the white path by turning right, then cut across the bend. Then continue along the white path for 100 m to the left and then turn right for 500 m. Cross the path one last time to cut the bend one last time before continuing straight ahead. At the end, turn right.

(18) Above the water sources, leave the white path again and turn left onto a shortcut, then 400 metres further on, cross the path again and follow the yellow markings opposite.

(19) At this intersection, in Vernay dessus, after descending, continue straight ahead to reach the departmental road.

(20) After crossing the small road of Chemin de la Charnat, continue straight ahead on the PR® marked in yellow.

(21) When you reach the main road, follow it on the left for 700 metres.

(22) At the intersection, turn right onto the path that descends below.

(23) Continue straight ahead at the fork. Then continue downhill to the banks of the Valserine at Fontaine Bénite.

(24) Take the path on the left and follow the river at each junction. At the houses, continue straight ahead.

(E) Once you reach the village of Chézery, you'll deserve a well-earned rest in this peaceful village.

Part of the route is located in a nature reserve, so please respect the specific regulations for this area.

Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.
Camping in tents is prohibited.

Be well equipped
Good equipment is the key to a successful hiking trip. Bring a suitable rucksack (around 10 kg) and don't forget the essentials:
- Technical clothing for cold and rainy weather
- Sleeping bag or groundsheet
- Sunglasses
- Food and water
- Head torch
- Walking sticks
- Complete first aid kit

Water is essential. Find out where you can get water along your route and bring purification tablets in case you don't have access to clean water.

Before you leave
- Check the weather forecast to make sure there will be no precipitation.
- Find out about the approach walk, the height of the route, the walking time, and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.).
- Assess the possible risks by consulting mountain professionals, refuges, and lodges.
- Inform a friend or family member of your plans and contact them again in case of any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with each person's phone number, vehicle(s), parking.
- Avoid setting off alone. Use equipment that is suitable for the activity, properly adjusted and in good condition, including a head torch, a complete first aid kit, a survival blanket, etc.
- In case of an emergency, call112(European emergency number).

Additional advice and recommendations
To find out more about our destination, visit our website: Pays de Gex Tourisme.

Monts Jura is a four-season resort offering a wide range of activities, such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, hiking, downhill mountain biking, tobogganing, giant zip line, tree climbing, golf, etc.

A Regional Nature Park is above all a remarkable natural and scenic entity whose importance is recognised at national level and which has a strong cultural identity. This is certainly true of the Jura mountains. The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park brings together 109 municipalities and 10 communities of municipalities. It covers the Doubs, Jura and Ain departments, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions.