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Just a few kilometres north of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, drive through the village of Lancrans and park in the car park opposite the cemetery (school next door).
(S/E) With your back to the cemetery gate, take the gravel path that descends to the right, marked "sans issue" (dead end). Follow the yellow and red markings.
(1) At the crossroads at the foot of an antenna, follow the Voie du Tram to the left for about 150 metres.
(2) Leave the tramway and follow the path on the right towards the Perte de la Valserine. Pass between a few houses. After a short but steep descent, you will arrive at the Pertes site. Then head towards the Pont des Oulles.
(3) Cross the river and follow it upstream on the right for about 300 metres. Note how calm the water is upstream, in contrast to its fury as it enters Les Pertes. The damp atmosphere of the place has draped the trees in ghostly moss.
(4) Retrace your steps to the Pont des Oulles bridge and cross the Valserine again.
(3) At the end of the bridge, turn right along the river towards the Métral dam. Observe the various waterfalls on the right and left banks that flow into the river. Reach the dam (through the barred windows, look at the remains of old pumps).
(5) Take a path on the right and follow the river as it winds through gorges carved into the rock (there are some beautiful overhangs and caves to see). The route includes some steps to climb up and down. Cross the Valserine on a footbridge and reach the piers of the viaduct that connects Bellegarde to Lancrans (note the impressive depth of the gorges).
(6) Pass under the viaduct and continue along the path beside the river. Continue to the Dumont hydroelectric power station, which used to supply Bellegarde.
(7) Return via the same route.
(3) At the Pont des Oulles, head right towards Lancrans.
(2) Follow the tramway on the left for about 150 metres.
(1) Turn right and climb the rather steep hill to reach the car park at Lancrans cemetery (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Tourist office
Easy 
