The Jura Mountains via Le Gralet and Menthières from Chézery-Forens

Update by the author this 08/06/2025 :

• correction to the name of the crossing point (9): it is the Poutouille and not the Patouille
• minor expansion of the paragraph relating to the point (9)

Start the route in the heart of the village of Chézery-Forens; a large car park is available near the town hall.

(S/E) Follow the Route de l'Abbaye as far as the church and then, at the foot of the church, turn left onto a ramped road leading to a square. Continue straight ahead on Route de l'Éperry until you leave the village.

(1) Turn left onto a footpath signposted to Champroux and Col de Menthières, then turn left at a field and rejoin the Route de l'Éperry a short distance away. Follow this road to the left until it bends and then turn left onto a track towards Le Gralet.

(2) Once you have reached the hamlet of La Charbonnière, turn right onto the road for around 300 m.

(3) Turn left onto a track towards Le Gralet until you reach a forest road.

(4) Continue straight ahead until you reach a forest road.

(5) Cross the road and continue straight ahead: cross the forest road twice more and at a higher level you will come to a path leading from Rosset.

(6) Continue along this path to the right, passing a stele in memory of Pierre Joly just after it, then a little further on you will reach some mountain pastures with beautiful views.

(7) Join the Refuge du Gralet on the right for a possible break. Head due south and follow the path for around 1500 m.

(8) At a crossroads, follow the path to the right towards Menthières, for a short while in a wooded area.

(9) You will reach an area of mountain pastures with open views before reaching the Refuge de la Poutouille. Continue along the path, then approaching a small rocky spur (an interesting viewpoint).

(10) After a steep descent, you come to a junction. Turn right towards Menthières along a footpath. This direction is also signposted opposite, but the route is longer. After descending a few hairpin bends and steep slopes, reach a crossroads.

(11) Turn left onto a track.

(12) Shortly afterwards, turn right onto another track. Just after passing a farm building, turn right (signposted Chézery). It will take you two minutes to reach the Col de Menthière.

(13) Continue along the road (not very busy, but be careful).

(14) Just after the buildings, follow a footpath to the left. After a short distance, rejoin the road at a transmitter. Continue straight ahead on a path that initially slopes gently downwards, but then becomes steeper. Reach the Route de Menthières.

(15) Cross the road, then continue across the road on the path, which continues to slope downwards. At the bottom, join a track and follow it to the left.

(16) Come to a track with a carriageway and follow it to the right.

(17) Shortly afterwards, turn left onto Route des Granges.

(18) At the next crossroads, turn right onto Chemin de Champroux as far as the end of the road, then follow a building to the right.

(19) Follow the relatively unobtrusive start of a path indicated by a small sign. A little further on, join the Route de l'Éperry and follow it to the left.

(1) Continue straight ahead and return to the starting point by the opposite route (S/E) .

The starting point can be viewed via GoogleMap (aerial view): click here.

Good hiking boots and poles are recommended.

Take your rubbish with you - nature doesn't digest it.

Between the points (7) and (10), the route crosses a quiet wildlife area with seasonal access restrictions: from 15/12 to 30/06 and it is forbidden to leave the marked accesses (many signs on site remind you of this): for more information.

Below is a grid of difficulties by section (a route is not uniform):
- green: fairly straightforward sections with no major changes in altitude or difficulties.
- blue: steeper gradients and/or changes in altitude on a well-marked route.
- orange: a route with some technical difficulties and/or poor viability of the route (markings or visibility of the path).

From (S/E) to (1) : Green difficulty
A route is followed without encountering any difficulties. Be careful of vehicle traffic.
No markings.

From (1 to (2) : Blue difficulty
Without difficulty, the route follows a short section of path, then a small road, and then another path.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (2) to (3) : Green difficulty
A short section of road is followed easily.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (3) to (4) : Difficulty Blue
Follow a path on a gradual upward slope.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (4) to (6) : Difficulty Blue
We follow a path on some steeper slopes with fairly minor difficulties.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (6) to (7) : Difficulty Blue
A path leads up some steep slopes and along the edge of some fairly gullied slopes (take care). Once you reach the mountain pastures, the route is fairly easy.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (7) to (8): Blue difficulty
This section is fairly easy and is generally downhill on a passable path.
GR®9 markings + signposts

From (8) to (9): Difficulty Blue
For a good distance, a path alternates between ascending and descending slopes.
GR®9 markings + signposts

From (9) to (10): Difficulty Blue
After a phase with no significant changes in altitude, the path then moves on to another phase with sustained downward slopes requiring a little care if the terrain is wet.
GR®9 markings + signposts

From (10) to (11): Difficulty Blue
The route continues on a path with some steep slopes via a few switchbacks.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (11) to (13) : Difficulty Green
This is a fairly easy trail.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (13) to (14) : Difficulty Green
A road with little traffic is followed very easily.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (14) to (16) : Difficulty Blue
Initially, an easy path is followed, then on the outskirts of a bend in the road, the path changes at times onto some steep slopes.
Yellow markings + signposts

From (16) to (19): Green difficulty
Easy, following sections of track and road.
Signposts

From (19) to (1) : Difficulty Green
A section of path and then road are followed without any major difficulty; at most, you should follow the path to the right at the start of this section (towards the building) and not be tempted to continue straight ahead on the path which then leads nowhere).
Signposts

From (1) to (S/E) : Difficulty Green
The return to the starting point is just as easy as on the outward journey.
No signposting.

• Former Abbey of Chézery: of the Cistercian order, it was founded in 1140 on the present-day territory of the village of Chézery. To this day, only the abbot's building remains. For more information, see the Wikipedia article.
• Stele in memory of Pierre Joly.