Les Moussières - Lélex

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

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

(2) Turn left, skirt the Pré Berthet farm, continue along this road which turns into a path, keep to the right, then continue through the woods until you come out into a valley.

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

(4) Keep to the right of the white path and, at the end, go up along the D25 road.

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

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

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

(8) At this intersection, turn left and follow the road towards Borne au Lion. Follow the path that continues to the left after the car park and the start of the cross-country ski trails. The path arrives at 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 ahead until you rejoin it: follow it to the left, then take the path on 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 Borne au Lion.

(11) At the crossroads, head towards Col aux Merles on the left-hand path. This is a wide white path that climbs up to the pass, then descends into Combe des Closettes (leaving the access to Crêt au Merle on your left).

(12) Start the descent to the right towards Lélex, in the woods, and continue to follow the path downhill on the right (^GR®® markings) to a place called Le Niaizet.

(13) Continue left then straight ahead until you reach Lélex. At the end, on the departmental road, turn left to return to 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.