The two Montrond mountains from the Col de la Faucille

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This circular route to the ridges offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Alps, including Mont Blanc, as well as the entire Lake Geneva region and the Jura.

Details

n°35104389
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 443 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 442 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,595 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,316 m
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Photos

The view of the Jura
View from Grand Mont Rond
Start of the hike
Mont Blanc

Description of the walk

From Gex, take the D1005 towards Col de la Faucille. Park at the pass near the Montrond telecombi.

(S/E) With your back to the ski lift, turn right, then right again to pass under the ski lift and begin the climb on a marked trail that winds through the forest. Stay on the path going uphill until you reach the second passage under a ski lift. After this, keep to the right until you reach the road. The surface is mainly crushed stone, with numerous steps. Cut across the road twice, then continue along the path to the summit of Petit Montrond at an altitude of 1,533 metres.

(1) After enjoying the view at Petit Montrond, head towards the access road and follow it to the left.

(2) Take the first path on the right, which runs along the top of the ridge towards the south, following the yellow markings. Stay on the path along the ridge until you reach the Sentier de la Vie de Chaux after a slight descent.

(3) Continue straight ahead (south-southwest). Climb to an unnamed peak, then descend slightly in the same direction.

(4) Turn right and continue downhill.

(5) At an intersection, turn left. Climb, keeping south-west, ignoring a path on the left (steep shortcut to the summit).

(6) At the next intersection, turn left again and climb to the summit (panoramic view).

(7) Turn around to descend via the sameGR® trail to reach the Vie de Chaux crossroads.

(3) Take the path downhill to the left, still onthe GR®, cross the forest road and pass under the Gelinottes cable car.

(8) Then continue straight ahead on the red and white marked path to the Maréchaude road.

(9) Continue along this road to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,317 m - Télécombi du Mont-Rond
  2. 1 : km 1.92 - alt. 1,538 m - Petit Montrond
  3. 2 : km 2.05 - alt. 1,534 m - Road behind the antenna
  4. 3 : km 2.7 - alt. 1,499 m - Carrefour de la Vie de Chaux
  5. 4 : km 3.25 - alt. 1,508 m - Border - View of the - Lac Léman
  6. 5 : km 3.41 - alt. 1,485 m - Intersection
  7. 6 : km 3.87 - alt. 1,543 m - Intersection
  8. 7 : km 4.1 - alt. 1,595 m - Montrond (Mijoux)
  9. 8 : km 6 - alt. 1,457 m - Under the TK of Gelinotte
  10. 9 : km 7.04 - alt. 1,328 m - Route de la Maréchaude
  11. S/E : km 7.72 - alt. 1,317 m - Télécombi du Mont-Rond

Notes

During the summer season (July-August), you can take advantage of the Mont Rond cable car, which will take you directly to the summit.

Safety instructions:
The Nature Reserve is nearby: Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve.

Before you leave:
- Check the general and local weather forecast to ensure 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, 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 telephone 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).

This route borders an alpine pasture where patous are present:
The patou or guard dog: How should you behave? When hiking, it is common to come across flocks of sheep or goats guarded by guard dogs, known as patous. These dogs, which are formidable against predators such as wolves, bears and lynxes, can frighten hikers with their barking. The patou protects the flocks completely independently. Its main role is to deter intruders and alert the shepherd. Raised among the sheep from an early age, it learns to protect them at all times, often in groups.

To avoid problems with a patou:
- Identify grazing areas before setting off.
- Keep your distance and go around the flocks if possible.
- If you encounter a herd, remain calm, turn around slowly or stop to let the dog sniff you.
- Do not attempt to pet or feed the animals, avoid sudden movements, do not run, and avoid taking photos.

For trail runners:
- Do not run when approaching a herd.
- Remove your headphones so you can hear the dog barking.

By adopting these behaviours, you will be able to coexist peacefully with guard dogs during your hikes.

For more information:
Pasto Kezako
Map Patou, where are the guard dogs?
The awareness toolkit

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Petit Montrond: At the top of the trail, a wooden platform with a picnic table and benches facing the panorama awaits you. The viewpoint is equipped with an orientation table and binoculars.

360° panoramic view of the peaks: the entire Lake Geneva basin: Pays de Gex, Lake Geneva, the Alps (including Mont Blanc). On the Jura side: Les Hautes Combes. At the foot of the Monts-Rond: the Creux de l'Envers forest.

Flora along the route. In the undergrowth: butterbur and Alpine lettuce. In the mountain pastures: orchids, spring gentian and Koch's gentian, greater yellow gentian and veratrum, carnations.

The nature reserve is nearby: More info: Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve www.rnn-hautechainedujura.fr.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 15564531
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Gerald Latortue
Gerald Latortue
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike, a little physically demanding but no problem for people who are used to walking, with no technical difficulties. An ideal route for a fairly short hike, we completed it in 4½ hours, including a picnic, while taking the time to stroll and extending it a little to the next summit (there and back)
We enjoyed the beautiful views of the Lake Geneva valley and the Alps, with the Mont Blanc massif visible in the distance (view obscured by heat haze). I regretted not having a pair of binoculars.
The trails were fairly busy, but the crowds were still bearable on a beautiful summer's day.
An ideal route for a short 3-4 hour hike (depending on your pace).
Very pleasant return trip through the forest, follow the signs for the snowshoe trail.
Thank you for this route!

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frenchydoc1
frenchydoc1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a stunning view of Lake Geneva and Geneva. If you're lucky, you can even see Mont Blanc! Unfortunately, I couldn't see it because of the heat haze. The trail is well marked, which is especially useful for finding your way back through the forest. I simply followed the snowshoe trail markers down to the station. I took a break to watch the brave souls attempting the zip line descent.

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Nord262e
Nord262e
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk at the end of January, when we enjoyed spring-like weather!
The route was mainly navigated using GPS.
The only "difficulty" was getting past the few remaining patches of ice at the crossroads of certain trails. (Without crampons, on your knees or on all fours, it works too 🤣).

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Diégo17
Diégo17
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views of Lake Geneva.
A must-do.

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manuladrome
manuladrome
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike without major difficulty, with beautiful panoramic views

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Annick84
Annick84
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk that leads to a superb panorama; no difficulty as the route is signposted by the tourist office; in fact, for the return journey we followed these signs through the forest.

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Brijam
Brijam
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, but the route between the two Montronds is a bit difficult. You need to be careful. (Senior hikers)

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