Menthières - Valserhône

(S) From Menthières, walk alongside the resort car park, skirting the chairlift; the GR® trail starts just after the snow groomer garage, turning left. The path crosses a small copse, passes under the chairlift, enters the forest and climbs alongside the ski run. A few dozen metres further on, it turns right and climbs steadily before joining the forest track and the Charnaz car park.

(1) Turn left and continue the ascent through the forest on the GR® to the mountain pastures. The climb levels off, the view opens up onto the Grand Crêt d’Eau and the path continues straight on to the Pierre à Fromage junction.

(2) The view of the Alps unfolds; turn right towards the Crêt de la Goutte. An uphill section leads to the summit cross (1,621 m).

(3) An information board at Crêt de la Goutte provides an overview of this unique landscape of the Haute Chaîne du Jura. The path descends on the other side through the mountain pastures, between the Goyats – water reservoirs built for livestock – to the Sorgia d’en Haut junction.

(4) Continue left on the GR® and carry on the descent. After a short stretch through the forest, join the Piste Forestière du Sorgia on the right, then turn left towards the Sorgia d’en Bas. Go round the chalet and the Manon fountain, re-enter the forest and descend quite steeply to the top of Métral.

(5) At the end of the path, turn right onto the road, walk past the farm and through the hamlet of Métral. Walk downhill for several hundred metres and rejoin the path shortly after entering the woods.

(6) The path descends steeply, crosses the road leading up to Métral, runs alongside the Pissoux stream and joins the Chemin des Peupliers. Once past the house below, the path gradually leads to the village of Lancrans.

(7) At the top of the village, follow the Pissoux stream and join the Grande Rue. Continue for a few metres, then turn right onto Rue du Sentier de la Folatière, then Rue de la Cambochette. Follow this road up to the next junction, continue straight on along the Chemin de la Croix de Fer, turn left onto the Chemin des Platières and reach the roundabout.

(8) Go round the cemetery on the left, walk past the school and head down towards the Valserine. The first few metres follow the tram line, then turn right onto a path that descends steeply towards the hamlet of La Léchère and Les Pertes de la Valserine.

(9) The path runs alongside the river towards Bellegarde-sur-Valserine as far as Pont Métral. Continue straight on along the same bank for about 600 m, then cross the next bridge to continue on the opposite bank.
If the Valserine riverside path is closed, follow the diversion via the Tramway to reach the centre of Bellegarde.

(10) Walk back up via the Valserine riverbank car park, turn left under the railway bridge and, at the next roundabout, take the first right to reach Bellegarde-sur-Valserine station (E)

If the Valserine riverside path is closed, follow the diversion via the Voie du Tram to reach Bellegardetown centre .

Part of the route is within a Nature Reserve; please respect the specific regulations for this area

Dogs are not permitted, even on a lead.
Tent camping is prohibited.

Be well equipped
Good equipment is the key to a successful multi-day hike. Bring a suitable rucksack (around 10 kg) and don’t forget the essentials:
- Technical clothing for cold and wet weather
- Sleeping bag or sleeping mat
- Sunglasses
- Food and water
- Head torch
- Walking poles
- Fully stocked first-aid kit

Water is essential. Find out about water supply points along your route and take water purification tablets with you in case you don’t have access to drinking water.

Before you set off
- Check the weather forecast to ensure there is no rain.
- Find out about the approach walk, the altitude of the route, the walking time and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.).
- Assess potential risks by consulting mountain professionals, mountain huts and lodges.
- Inform a friend or family member of your plans and contact them again if there are any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with each person’s phone number, vehicle(s), car park.
- Avoid setting off alone; use equipment suitable for the activity, properly adjusted and in good condition, including a head torch, a fully stocked first-aid kit, a survival blanket, etc.
- In the event of a problem, call112(the European emergency number).

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

A topographical map is available for purchase: https://reservation.terrevalserine.fr/topo-carte-des-rives-de-la-valserine-aux-sommets-du-jura.html

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...