Lélex - Menthières

(S) Leave Les Chapelons and head towards the centre of Lélex, on the left, and at the ESF hut, turn right to begin the ascent to Crêt de la Neige. Staying on the GR®, turn left twice, then right.

(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, cut across the track, go right and climb up towards the Refuge de la Loge.

(4) At the Refuge de la Loge, turn right and continue to the Brillonne d'en haut.

(5) At Brillonne d'en haut, take the GR® trail on the left, continuing straight ahead until you reach Sous le Crêt.

(6) Turn right and continue on the GR® for 1.5 km.

(7) At Crêt de la Neige, after admiring the view, continue straight ahead along the ridges.

(8) At the "Sur les Brulats" crossroads, continue straight ahead along the ridges.

(9) At the place called "Sur Thoiry", keep to the right of the path.

(10) At the crossroads, stay on the ridges to go to Le Reculet.

(11) Le Reculet is the second highest peak in the Jura, just as impressive and rejuvenating as Crêt de la Neige. Keep right on the GR®.

(12) At Platéreau, continue straight ahead on the GR® to descend and head towards Gralet.

(13) At Passage du Gralet, continue for 100 metres to Refuge du Gralet.

(14) At Le Gralet, enjoy the view and continue straight ahead for 6 km.

(15) Continue straight ahead at the intersection.

(16) At the Corne crossroads, take the path on the right to begin a beautiful descent towards Menthières.

(17) At Maison Neuve and Le Velu, descend to the right for 700 metres to the Col de Menthières.

(18) At the road, descend to the left towards the resort.

(19) Cut across the bend in the road and continue straight ahead to the centre of Menthières (E). In Menthières, enjoy this last night in the mountains before heading back down to the city for the final stage.

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 kilos) 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 if there are 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, call 112(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 area of national interest with 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.