Mijoux - Refuge de la Loge

(S) From the centre of Mijoux, follow the GR® (red and white) up Rue Royale, pass the Tiapi and continue straight on at the crossroads towards the Sentier des Arts.

(1) The Sentier des Arts winds its way between the various sculptures; from above, there is a lovely view of the village of Mijoux. Continue along the forest track.

(2) Almost opposite the Sentier des Arts, the GR® path continues straight on, crossing the track, and climbs to the left of the source of the Ondine. The route climbs steeply along a narrow path.

(3) It eventually crosses the forest track again; turn left and continue the climb.

(4) At the next hairpin bend, the path narrows and cuts across the track, rejoining it a little further up.

(5) Turn left onto the Chemin de la Vieille Faucille, which leads to the pass, arriving to the right of La Petite Chaumière.

(6) Keep to the right on the GR® towards Grand Montrond. The route soon joins a forest track, passes in front of the Tyrolienne Géante and continues for several hundred metres.

(7) Leave the Route de la Maréchaude via the path climbing to the left; the route alternates between steep climbs and gentle ascents through a dense, stony forest, before joining the Gélinottes ski run as you emerge from the forest.

(8) Pass to the left of the Gélinottes tunnel, cross the forest track and follow the GR® alongside the chairlift to the Vie de Chaux crossroads.

(9) Turn right towards Grand Montrond, staying on the red and white markings. The view opens up over the Lake Geneva basin and the Alpine range. The path alternates between ascents and descents, passing to the left of a cistern before reaching the summit of Montrond (360° panorama over Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Haut Jura).

(10) Continue towards Colomby de Gex along a undulating route to the highest point of the stage.

(11) The route begins its descent, though there are still a few climbs. The landscape opens up onto vast mountain pastures, always offering beautiful views.

(12) The path descends and joins the Chemin de la Maréchaude; continue to the left.

(13) At the Col de Crozet, continue along the GR® keeping to the right towards the upper station of the Catheline cable car.

(14) Continue for less than a kilometre to reach the Refuge de la Loge (E).

Part of the route is located 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 trek. Make sure you have 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 an emergency, call 112(the European emergency number).

Information websites: Les Grandes Traversées du Jura, Pays de Gex Monts Jura Tourist Office.

Monts Jura is a four-season resort offering a wide range of activities, such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, hiking, downhill mountain biking, tobogganing, giant zip line, tree-top adventure course, golf, etc.

A Regional Nature Park is, above all, a remarkable natural and scenic area whose significance is recognised at national level, embodying a strong cultural identity. This is certainly the case for the Jura mountains. The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park brings together 109 municipalities and 10 communities of municipalities. It spans the departments of Doubs, Jura and Ain, across the two regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.