Menthières - Valserhône

(S) Leave Menthières for the last stage by taking the road for 150 metres.

(1) Turn left onto the path that climbs into the forest.

(2) Turn right at the fork and continue on the GR® for 800 metres until you reach a path at La Charnaz.

(3) Take the path opposite for 100 metres, then turn left.

(4) At the crossroads, keep left on the path marked in red and white to reach Crêt de l'Aiguillon.

(5) At Crêt de l'Aiguillon, turn right to follow the GR® towards Crêt de la Goutte.

(6) At the intersection, turn right to descend to Sorgia d'en Haut.

(7) Stay on the left side of the path to reach Sorgia.

(8) At Sorgia, turn left towards Sorgia d'en bas.

(9) At this intersection, continue straight ahead to descend to Métral.

(10) At the crossroads, turn left and join the road to Métral.

(11) At the road, follow it to the right and continue for 700 metres.

(12) Turn left and leave the road to reach Lancrans by following the GR® on the right, still marked in red and white. To do this, cross one road and then follow the next one on the right before going down to the left and reaching a stream.

(13) Follow the Pissoux stream to Grande Rue.

(14) Take the stairs on the right and join the Route de la Fromagerie. Continue straight ahead for 50 metres and turn 90 degrees left onto the Sentier de la Folaterie. At the end, continue to the left.

(15) After leaving Rue de la Folaterie, follow Rue de la Cambochette for 200 metres to the right. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead on Rue du Chemin De La Croix De Fer.

(16) Then turn left after the last houses onto Chemin des Platières until you reach the roundabout.

(17) Take the left exit and continue for 50 metres. Turn right behind the cemetery and follow Voie du Tram, keeping to the left, then left again for 400 metres.

(18) Turn right at the crossroads towards Pertes de la Valserine.

(19) Walk along the Valserine, turning left and staying on the Pertes de la Valserine. Continue to Métral.

(20) Keep right on the GR®. Continue along the river.

(21) Once you reach the bridge, cross it, turning right, and continue downhill on the other bank of the Valserine.

(22) At the car park on the banks of the Valserine, take the path on the right, then the street on the left to reach Place Gambetta. Take the first exit to go up Avenue de la Gare and arrive at the station (E), where a little rest is well deserved after five challenging days.

Part of the route is located in a nature reserve, so please respect the specific regulations for this area.

Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.
Camping in tents is prohibited.

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 and rainy weather
- Sleeping bag or groundsheet
- Sunglasses
- Food and water
- Head torch
- Walking sticks
- Complete first aid kit

Water is essential. Find out where you can get water along your route and bring purification tablets in case you don't have access to clean water.

Before you leave
- Check the weather forecast to make sure 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 relative 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, call112(European emergency number).

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

The Valserine Gorges are located on the Valserine River in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, in the commune of Valserhône, just upstream from the confluence with the Rhône. The Valserine is the first French river to have been awarded the "Rivières Sauvages" label. This guarantees its high purity. Trout spawn here and are protected by reserves in certain areas.
At Valserhône, the river disappears only to reappear a little further on...