Métabief – Gros Morond

Park at the Perrières car park.

(S/E) From the car park, head onto the snowfield to the south, then head south-west, passing close to the antennas, until you reach a wide path. Start looking out for the GTJ markings. These may take various forms: a yellow line, a yellow post, a sign with the snowshoe symbol, etc.

(1) Turn slightly to the right, heading due south along the marked path which climbs gradually.

(2) Carry on following the markings and take the path opposite that leads uphill.

(3) At this point, the signposting in January 2018 was incorrect. Do not follow any tracks that might head steeply to your left; carry on straight ahead, passing the barrier (see map) to reach the correct junction. Turn left onto the path that climbs.

(4) Once you can see the chairlifts and ski lifts, carry on straight ahead, passing under the Paradis chairlift. 200 metres further on, you’ll see the mountain hut on your left. You can take a shortcut; the entrance is to the west (E).

As for us, we deliberately kept this stage short, as we’d been driving for 7 hours that morning.

When you arrive in Métabief, pop into the Tourist Office to buy your pass.
It’s right in the town centre, near the ski lifts, and parking is a nightmare at weekends.
Get a Jura Mountains weekly pass: walking (access to marked and secure snowshoe and walking trails) for €22 in 2019
The staff at reception are very helpful. Ask them for the GTJ leaflets; they can provide you with further information.

To park a car for a week, we were advised to use Avenue du Bois du Roi.

For the mountain refuge, see the Chalet du Gros Morne (FFCAM) website; booking is essential. It’s unstaffed, so you’ll need to bring your own dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch for the following day.
Be aware that at weekends it can get very busy, or even more so.

If you have time, you can climb to the summit of Morond to enjoy the scenery, as the next day you’ll be heading south towards Mont d’Or.