Circular starting from Charix via Lac Genin

Park in Charix, in the car park at the bottom of the village, Rue de l'Église.

(S/E) Turn your back on the village and continue along the tarmac road, which climbs steeply after crossing the leat of the Fronde. At the first intersection, stay on the tarmac road, and at the second, take the path on the right and continue for about 200 m.

(1) Keep right again, then turn right after about 50 metres. Stay on this path until you reach a clearing with a large crossroads. Take the track opposite that leads into the forest, leaving the ones on the right and left. At the next fork, continue straight ahead on the path until you reach the Dinosaur Route.

(2) Turn right, follow the signs for Plagne, going around the Dinoplagne site. You will reach the departmental road (Route des Lavoirs).

(3) Follow it to the left, pass the entrance to the Dinoplagne site and continue until you find the path on the right that runs along the road on the embankment. Continue along this path until you reach the tarmac road (Rue de la Combe), turn left to cross the hamlet and reach a crossroads with signposts.

(4) Turn left onto the path that leads into the woods and rejoins the Dinosaur Route. At the first intersection, continue straight ahead on the track.

(5) At the next intersection, turn right. After about 150 metres, turn left, staying on the Route des Dinosaures trail, and continue to the next fork at a place called Le Pont.

(6) Turn left onto the dirt track and continue until you reach a sandy track. Continue along this track until you reach a crossroads with a tarmac road.

(7) Take this road to the right, going downhill, until you reach the Route Communale du Lac Genin. Follow it to the left until you reach the start of the path leading to the lake on the right.

(8) Take this wide path, which climbs slightly.

(9) At the first fork, turn right onto the narrowing path. Continue along this path, ignoring any other forks, until you reach Lac Genin.

(10) Head towards the hotel-restaurant. At the edge of the woods, there are signposts at the entrance to a path that climbs steeply. Take this path for 100 metres to reach the tarmac road and follow it to the right for about 150 metres. At the end of the bend, turn right onto the small path that climbs across the meadow and, at the end of the meadow, turn right again towards Oyonnax. Continue climbing until you reach a four-way crossroads.

(11) Take the path on the left and reach the tarmac road.

(12) Turn left. After about 250 metres, a stunning view opens up between the fir trees: part of the lake in the foreground, opposite the Giron 1000 resort with its distinctive white cross, and further in the background the Jura mountain range with the Reculet, the Crêt de la Neige and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc! Continue along the road, pass the crossroads about 15 metres ahead, keeping to the right, then turn right onto the path that leads into the forest: be careful, there may be tree-felling in progress! After about 300 metres, at the start of the descent, stop to admire Charles, Alphonse and Prosper, three presidential fir trees.

(13) At the next fork, turn left and you will reach a junction that is not shown on the IGN map. Keep to the right and you will come to a crossroads where you must turn right again. You will come to another crossroads.

(14) Head right. After about 15 metres, the path splits in two and you must go left to follow the ridge path that runs along the top of the cliff overlooking the village of Apremont. This path is uneven, with short steep climbs offset by equally steep short descents. It is not dangerous as long as you stay on the path! Admire the views overlooking the village of Apremont and the town of Oyonnax if you look behind you! Reach the fork in the path that leads off to the right at a cairn: this path comes from the bottom of the cliff via the Couloir Basset and is equipped with handrails to help you climb to the top of the cliff. This path is very dangerous and should only be attempted by very experienced hikers!

(15) Continue straight ahead. After the gliding site, the path runs through scree, so extreme caution is advised. The path eventually leads to the road to Col du Sentier.

(16) Immediately turn left onto the path that cuts across the bend in the road, which you will rejoin a little further up. Walk about 50 metres to the right, then turn left onto the path that climbs steeply. The ridge path is not over yet! Continue along this ridge path until you reach a large clearing in the forest. Walk up this clearing for about 15 metres to find the rest of the path on the left in the coppice. Continue climbing and descending until you reach the highest point at Mont Burdet (1,052 metres): the route of the last climb is lost in the leaves!

(17) Continue for 200 metres along the ridge path, which begins to descend, then leave it and turn left onto the slope, going back a little while descending. The path is almost invisible, but after about 50 metres, you will see a well-defined logging track. Take this track and continue descending until you reach a tarmac road (Route de Leyamont).

(18) Follow the road to the right for a few dozen metres before turning left onto the path. Continue downhill until you reach the tarmac road at Col du Sentier.

(19) Continue right on the road until you reach the dirt track on the right, which leads to the first houses in the village of Charix. Cross the village towards the church until you reach the car park (S/E).

It is necessary to follow the route using the .gpx track. There are many paths in the forest, particularly due to timber harvesting. Some sections of the path are invisible, particularly at points (17).

Please note that due to logging, some sections may be off-limits to walkers!

Stay on the path, especially between (14) and (16), the ridge path at the top of the cliffs.

Swimming and picnics are permitted at Lake Genin (10).

The Dinausaures route is correctly named as such and not Dinosaures!

Please note that Visorando gives an elevation gain of approximately 680 m, whereas the actual elevation gain is closer to 820 m.

Numerous viewpoints over the surrounding villages and the Jura mountain range. A break is a must at the magnificent Lac Genin.

View of Mont Blanc.

Paid visit to Dinoplagne.

Discover the presidential fir trees.

View of the Virgin of Chauffon.