Lélex - Chézery-Forens

(S) From the Tourist Office, head left, walk past the ESF hut then turn left to begin the ascent towards Crêt de la Neige. Follow the GR® for over 2 km on a steadily rising path, until you reach the Ratou junction.

(1) At Ratou, turn left to stay on the GR® for 100 m, then continue along the path on the right to the Refuge de la Loge.

(2) At the Refuge de la Loge, turn right and continue along the path towards Crêt de la Neige. After crossing the ski run (open in summer) at Brillonne d’en haut, head left, staying on the GR®. Continue the ascent until you reach a pretty valley.

(3) At the Combe des Voyettes, go round the water reservoir on the left towards Les Brûlats Frésy. The path continues to climb until the junction below the ridge.

(4) Turn right, continuing along the GR® towards the highest peak in the Jura: the Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m).

(5) From the summit, enjoy the breathtaking view before continuing straight on along the GR® towards Le Reculet, the second-highest peak in the massif. The path winds along a ridge between gorges and Swiss stone pines, then descends, passing through the ruins of an old mountain village. Follow it to the foot of the Croix du Reculet (1,718 m).

(6) After taking in this exceptional view, turn back and head down towards Chézery to the previous junction. Join the yellow-marked PR® trail, descend to the left and reach the junction for Thoiry Derrière.

(7) At this crossroads, turn left towards Chézery-Forens. The route zigzags through the woods to the Chalets de Lachats. Staying on the yellow-marked PR® trail, the descent continues to the village of Rivière, passing through Vernay du dessus and the Nepalese bridge.

(8) In the village of Rivière, cross the road and join the path that descends towards the Valserine. Follow the river to the Fontaine Bénite, then at the next junction, keep left, continuing to follow the river to reach the final destination, Chézery-Forens (E).

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.