Les Charbonnières - Col du Machairuz

Introduction: Most of this hike follows the Jura Höhenweg trail. On maps, particularly OpenStreetMap (World), it is marked as "Chemin des Crêtes du Jura". At each major junction, you will find signposts with the number 5 on a green background. View this image.

(S) From the Hôtel des Cygnes, head towards Lac Brenet along the small path by the lake and go to the tunnel under the railway line.

(1) Go under the railway line, follow Lac de Joux northwards, then eastwards until you reach the bridge exit.

(2) Turn left, heading east, onto the "Les Epoissats - le Pont" path until you reach an intersection on the right.

(3) Continue right on the path now called "Sagne Vuognard - Petra Félix". Walk for about 1.3 km until you reach a new intersection on the right without going all the way to Petra Félix.

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

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

(6) Head left, south, then south-east, past the Pré l'Haut Dessous farm and you will reach a fork that joins the Jura ridge trail.

(7) Turn right and continue south-west again on the Jura Höhenweg No. 5 trail (signpost: Mont Tendre/Col de Marchairuz).

(8) Turn left to begin the climb to Mont Tendre. Pass the Chalet de Pierre and, after a hairpin bend, you will arrive at the Mont Tendre chalet.

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

(10) Take a break to enjoy the panoramic view of the Joux and Brenet lakes to the west and Lake Geneva to the east. Take path No. 5 to begin the descent and continue south-west until you reach a small road.

(11) Turn right onto this road, heading west, cut across the bend via a shortcut, then after about 100 metres, look for a path that branches off to the left (signposted "chemin de randonnée"). Pass Grand Cunay (1,570 m) and continue along the path until you cross a small road at a building called "Monts de Bière Derrière".

(12) Cross the road and follow the path directly opposite to the Col de Marchairuz for your accommodation for the day: Hôtel du Marchairuz (E).

• (E) Accommodation: Hôtel du Marchairuz

• Several refreshment stands and restaurants along the route.

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