The heights of Échenevex

de fr

An easy walk on the edge of the nature reserve. There are several vantage points along the route, particularly offering views of Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and the Lake Geneva basin. You’ll see dinosaur footprints. Depending on the season, you may also see a small stream, the Crotte.

Details

n°100455830
Creation:
Last update:
–
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 899 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 899 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,595 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,060 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

The starting point is at a place called Vallière, at the junction between the local road and the dirt track known as Chemin du Raffort: parking is available on site.

(S/E) Set off with your back to the local road and follow this track as it leads into the woodland. You’ll soon reach your first viewpoint overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps.

(1) Ignore the return path on the left and carry straight on.

(2) Turn left to take a shortcut which rejoins the path further up. Leave the path briefly to go and see the dinosaur footprints on the right .

(3) Carry on straight ahead to reach the boundary of the Protected Natural Area.

(4) Turn back.

(3) Turn right and head for another viewpoint.

(5) Carry on to the right for a few dozen metres, then turn right. Much further on, you’ll reach another viewpoint. Walk for just under a hundred metres to reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn right, reach another star-shaped junction and head straight ahead. Then turn left at a 90° angle to reach the small stream known as La Crotte.

(7) Turn left, return to the star-shaped junction and head almost straight ahead to return to the junction where the circular loop begins.

(6) Walk for about twenty metres, then turn left. You’ll come out onto a cross-path; continue left to reach another viewpoint on Chemin du Rucher.

(8) Follow this path, veer left just after two farm sheds to head back towards Chemin du Raffort, which you took at the start. About a hundred metres before reaching it, turn right and return to the first viewpoint.

(1) Turn right to head straight back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,060 ft - Vallière, crossroads
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 2,178 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.45 - alt. 2,362 ft - Shortcut to the left
  4. 3 : mi 0.57 - alt. 2,484 ft - Dinosaur footprints
  5. 4 : mi 0.67 - alt. 2,559 ft - Sign marking the entrance to the Protected Natural Area
  6. 5 : mi 0.94 - alt. 2,392 ft - Viewpoint
  7. 6 : mi 1.46 - alt. 2,346 ft - Junction with the La Crotte circular loop
  8. 7 : mi 1.66 - alt. 2,569 ft - La Crotte
  9. 8 : mi 2.23 - alt. 2,247 ft - Viewpoint
  10. S/E : mi 3.06 - alt. 2,060 ft - Vallière, crossroads

Notes

An easy walk suitable for the whole family, but not suitable for pushchairs.

At several points, you will be on the edge of the Protected Natural Area: please ensure you comply with the regulations in force.

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

Worth a visit

(3) If you look closely at the rocks, you can see dinosaur footprints: https://lepaysgessien.lemessager.fr/31622/article/2021-10-14/echenevex-les-empreintes-de-dinosaures-oubliees-du-pays-de-gex.

After the walk, you can stop off at the Source de L’Allondon, a small spring on the outskirts of Échenevex which is a lovely spot, offering everything you need to relax after your walk.

If you’re with dogs, you’ll be on the edge of the Protected Natural Area (4).

The Échenevex goat farm: you can buy directly from the farm during your walk https://www.pension-equiparadis-chevrerie-de-capucine.fr/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=gmb&utm_campaign=lnk-gmb

Other walks in the area

Walking The Cirque de Branveau and Mont Chanais from Échenevex

Tourist office
Le Cirque de Branveau et le Mont Chanais depuis Échenevex
↔9.08 mi ↗+2,838 ft ↘-2,838 ft ◔6h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Échenevex (Ain)
Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions. A challenging but accessible hike in the heart of the Haute Chaîne du Jura for lovers of wide open spaces. From the village of Échenevex, the trail crosses meadows and woods before beginning the ascent to the Col de Branveau. Here you can often see friendly chamois and heifers grazing in the mountain pastures, enjoying the beautiful weather and the breathtaking panorama of the Jura ridges. The climb continues to the summit of Mont Chanais at 1,446 metres, where a 360° view rewards walkers for their efforts. From here, you can admire Mont Blanc, the Alps and the valley below, before descending this route in the heart of the Haute Chaîne du Jura.

Walking The Great Popular Walk of Gex

Tourist office
La Grande Marche Populaire de Gex
↔12.89 mi ↗+4,331 ft ↘-4,308 ft ◔9h 40 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Gex (Ain)
Hike accessible from 17 April to 30 November. Set off on a hike to Colomby de Gex (1,682 metres above sea level), with superb views of Mont Blanc and the Geneva basin. This circuit, emblematic of the Grande Marche Populaire de Gex, follows the ridges of the Haute Chaîne before descending into the forest along the Journans. The route passes through varied landscapes: mountain pastures, deciduous and coniferous forests. It runs through the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and, in part, the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, a protected area that must be treated with respect. Dogs are not allowed, even on a lead. Please respect the regulations in force to preserve this remarkable environment.

Walking The Gex Popular Walk

Tourist office
La Marche Populaire de Gex
↔10.11 mi ↗+2,749 ft ↘-2,746 ft ◔7h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Gex (Ain)
Hike accessible from 16 May to 30 November. Set off from Gex on a loop to the Col de Branveau, passing through the Platières mountain pastures. Formerly part of the Petite Marche Populaire de Gex, this varied circuit offers beautiful views of the Haute Chaîne du Jura and the Alps. It passes through forests of deciduous and coniferous trees before a refreshing descent along the Journans. An accessible and enjoyable hike between ridges, mountain pastures and undergrowth.Part of the route is located in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: dogs are not permitted, even on a lead. Please respect the regulations in force to preserve this remarkable environment.

Walking Tour of the Combe de Gex

Visorando Member
Tour de la Combe de Gex
↔3.84 mi ↗+564 ft ↘-538 ft ◔2h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gex (Ain)
In summer, you can stick to the forest track a little less and head closer to the banks of the Grand Journans to seek shelter under the trees.

Walking Le Colomby de Gex via the Pas de l'Échine

Visorando Member
Le Colomby de Gex par le Pas de l'Échine
↔8.04 mi ↗+3,222 ft ↘-3,219 ft ◔6h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Gex (Ain)
A challenging approach to a summit offering a 360° view of Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Jura. The Pas de L'Échine, a tricky and steep but very popular passage, provides direct access to the ridge in a beautiful setting. The best time to visit is in May, when it is still partially snow-covered and you have to squeeze between the snow and the rock face. However, it is strongly advised not to venture onto the nearby slopes, which are very exposed.

Walking La Faucille - Colomby de Gex - Mont Rond

Visorando Member
La Faucille - Colomby de Gex - Mont Rond
↔10.22 mi ↗+2,890 ft ↘-2,894 ft ◔7h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Gex (Ain)
Je vous propose de réaliser un parcours en boucle au départ des environs du Col de la Faucille (parking du Pailly) afin d’accéder au Colomby de Gex : à l'aller le tracé évolue sous les Monts Jura et au retour sur ses crêtes avec une succession de montées et descentes. Certaines parties du parcours sont situées en zones de quiétude de la faune sauvage et il ne sera ainsi pas possible de le parcourir du 15/12 au 15/05 (à lire ci dessous)

Walking Le Colomby de Gex from Le Pailly

Tourist office
Le Colomby de Gex depuis le Pailly
↔9.01 mi ↗+2,579 ft ↘-2,608 ft ◔6h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gex (Ain)
Only accessible from 16 May to 30 November. Subject to snow conditions. From the ridges, enjoy panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps before descending into the Branveau cirque. This route on the Haute Chaîne du Jura promises an immersion in an unusual, wild and unspoilt setting. After reaching the Crozat mountain pasture, then the summit of Colomby de Gex at 1,688 metres, the descent begins via the Branveau cirque before reaching the Platières chalet. The varied and sometimes technical trail is marked with yellow markers. The Colomby de Gex pylon was originally built in Paris, then transported and erected in Gex in 1907. A memorial commemorates Fernand Fluckiger, a Swiss aviator who died in a plane crash on 2 June 1932 at this site.

Walking Mont Mourex in Grilly

Tourist office
Le Mont Mourex à Grilly
↔2.91 mi ↗+354 ft ↘-338 ft ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Grilly (Ain)
This accessible, family-friendly hike through forests and panoramic views offers a splendid 360° view of both the Alps and the Jura from Mont Mourex. The trail passes through a pleasant forest before reaching the open heights, offering an exceptional panorama of the Alps and the Jura. A landscape information table allows you to identify the surrounding peaks. An intriguing circle of stones, approximately 45 metres in diameter, is believed to have been used for sun worship. In its centre is a block of stone that is thought to have been deposited there by the Rhône glaciers during an ice age. It adds to the enigmatic nature of the place. The descent is gentle, through meadows.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.