Les Moussières - Lélex

(S) From the village of Les Moussières, cross the main road onto the^GR®®, then head straight on along Rue de Saint-Claude. Pass the Les Moussières Town Hall and turn onto the small road to Crêt Joli. Pass a fork in the road, turn right and head straight on towards La Muras.

(1) At this point, turn left to reach Pré Grandvaux.

(2) Turn left, skirting the Pré Berthet farm, and continue along this track which turns into a path; keep to the right, then carry on through the woods until you emerge into a valley.

(3) When you reach the crossroads, turn right, then at the next three-way junction keep straight ahead, follow the small stream and then the peat bog, continuing on this way until you reach Lac de l'Embouteilleux.

(4) Keep to the right of the white track and, at the end, head back up along the D25 road.

(5) Cross the hamlet of L'Embossieux, keep to the left and then left again to take the Chemin des Quartiers to the Pré Reverchon path.

(6) Take this path to the right. Pass by the hamlet of Le Talonard and continue straight on the^GR®® to reach the Chemin de Sous les Bois.

(7) Continue straight ahead to join the Route de la Borne au Lion.

(8) At this junction, turn left, following the road towards La Borne au Lion. Follow the path which continues to the left after the car park and the start of the cross-country ski trails. The path leads to La Combe Froide. Keep to the right. At the road, first turn left then right to rejoin it.

(9) First turn right then left and continue straight on until you rejoin it: follow it to the left, then take the path to the left and left again at the road to pass in front of the Berbois refuge.

(10) Turn right shortly afterwards and follow the road to the Borne au Lion.

(11) At the crossroads, head towards Col aux Merles on the path furthest to the left. This is a wide white track that climbs up to the pass, then descends into the Closettes valley (leave the access to Crêt au Merle on your left).

(12) Start the descent to the right towards Lélex; in the woods, keep following the path going down straight ahead to the right (^GR®® markings) until you reach the hamlet of Le Niaizet.

(13) Continue left then straight ahead until you reach Lélex. At the end, on the A-road, turn left to reach the car park (E).

Open from 1 April to 30 November - subject to snow conditions

Before you go
- 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, and 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).

Additional advice and recommendations
To find out more about our destination, visit our website: Pays de Gex Tourisme.

Be well equipped
Good equipment is the key to a successful hiking trip. Bring a suitable rucksack (around 10 kilos) and don't forget the essentials:

Technical clothing for cold weather,
Sleeping bag or groundsheet,
Sunglasses,
Food and water,
Headlamp,
Walking poles,
Complete first aid kit,
Water management
Water is essential. Find out about water sources along your route and bring purification tablets in case you do not have access to clean water.

The route is located in the Haut Jura Natural Park.
A regional nature park is, above all, a remarkable natural and scenic area of national importance with a strong cultural identity. This is certainly true of the Jura mountains. The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park brings together 109 municipalities and 10 communities of municipalities. It covers the Doubs, Jura and Ain departments, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions.

Monts Jura is a four-season resort offering a wide range of activities, including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, hiking, downhill mountain biking, tobogganing, giant zip-lining, tree-top adventure courses, golf, and more.

La Borne au Lion is located on the border of several municipalities and departments, marking the transition between two regions. At an altitude of 1,289 metres, it is an important historical site, particularly as the border between France and Savoy, marked by boundary stones following the treaties of Lyon (in 1601) and Auxonne (in 1612). This site, formerly known as "Borne Cléa", was also nicknamed "Borne des 3 Empires" (Boundary of the 3 Empires) due to the supposed presence of three coats of arms, although only those of France and Burgundy are official. During the Second World War, the Borne au Lion served as a refuge for the Resistance, notably for Colonel Romans-Petit. Today, it remains an essential crossing point for accessing the Crêt de Chalam, offering breathtaking views of the Jura mountain range and Mont Blanc.