Les Charbonnières - Col du Machairuz

Introduction: This walking route largely follows the “Jura Höhenweg”. On maps, particularly OpenStreetMap (World), it is labelled “Chemin des Crêtes du Jura”. At every major junction, you will find signposts bearing symbol no. 5 on a green background. View this symbol.

(S) From the Hôtel des Cygnes, head towards Lac Brenet along the small lakeside path until you reach the tunnel under the railway line.

(1) Go under the railway line, follow the shore of Lac de Joux heading north, then east, until you reach the end of the bridge.

(2) Turn left, heading east, to join the “Les Epoissats – le Pont” path until you reach a junction on the right.
(3) Continue to the right on the path, now known as “Sagne Vuognard – Petra Félix”. Walk for about 1.3 km until you reach another junction on the right, without going as far as Petra Félix.

(4) Turn right and rejoin the Col Petra Félix road. Cross the road and take the path directly opposite. Continue heading south until you reach a crossroads with several paths.

(5) Turn left and keep heading south, then keep to the right at the next junction to find a path on the left towards Pré l’Haut Dessous.

(6) Head off to the left, south, then south-east, past the Pré l’Haut Dessous farm, until you reach a junction that joins the Jura Ridges Trail.

(7) Turn right and head south-west again along the “Jura Höhenweg” No. 5 (signposted: Mont Tendre/Col de Marchairuz).

(8) Turn left to begin the ascent towards Mont Tendre. Walk past the Chalet de Pierre and, after a hairpin bend, arrive at the Chalet du Mont Tendre.

(9) You can stop for lunch at this restaurant. Return to the “Jura Höhenweg” trail No. 5 and climb the final few hundred metres to reach Mont Tendre at 1,679 m (the highest point of the day).

(10) Take a moment to enjoy the panoramic views: views over the Lakes of Joux and Brenet to the west and Lake Geneva to the east. Follow path No. 5 down the slope, heading south-west, until you reach a small road.

(11) Turn right onto this road, heading west, cut across the bend via a shortcut, then, about a hundred metres further on, look out for a path branching off to the left (signposted as a hiking trail). Pass Grand Cunay (1,570 m) and continue along the path until you come to a small road near a building marked ‘Monts de Bière Derrière’.
(12) Cross the road and follow the path directly opposite to the Col de Marchairuz, where you’ll find today’s accommodation: the Hôtel du Marchairuz (E).

• (E) Accommodation: Hôtel du Marchairuz

• Several refreshment stands and catering points along the route.

• Lakes of Joux and Brenet.
• Mont Tendre.
• Marchairuz Pass.