Monts d'Ain walks

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Second stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. Starting from the Ferme de Retord, the route crosses the open and wooded landscapes of the plateau before beginning the descent towards Lalleyriat, with a viewpoint overlooking the Autoroute des Titans. In Saint-Germain-de-Joux, a detour is a must to discover the impressive Marmites de Géant, carved out by the Semine. The stage ends on the northern slope, in Giron.

The section from La Charnay to Chalet d’Arvière is the fifth stage of the six-day walking tour “La GTJ from Mijoux”. The GR®9 enters the Ain department via Mijoux, before following the spectacular ridges of the Monts-Jura, passing through the Crêt de la Neige, the highest point of the range. It then descends towards Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, crosses the Retord plateau and climbs the Grand Colombier. The trail continues its route to Culoz and the Rhône Valley, before leaving the Ain to reach Savoie and continuing southwards. Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations: dogs are prohibited, even when kept on a lead, as is camping in tents. Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

Third stage of the Way of St James. A pleasant stage with some elevation gain, shaded sections and stretches on tarmac and dirt tracks.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Third stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. From the Roche Fauconnière viewpoint and its panoramic view of the Cirque d'Orvaz, the trail leads to the Lion marker, a historic landmark of the Franco-Comtois border in the 17th century and a key site of the Resistance. It is here that the GR® de Pays crosses the Grande Traversée du Jura and the GR® 5, before a long, gentle descent towards Lélex, a ski resort nestled in the Valserine valley.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. First stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. Starting from Bellegarde station, the route runs past Mussel Castle and the hamlet of Ochiaz before climbing up to the Retord plateau. After a 1½-hour climb through the forest, a splendid panorama of the Jura and the Alps awaits you. The stage ends at La Charnay, with the option of staying overnight at the Ferme de Retord or continuing on to the Refuge de la Conay.

Fourth stage of the Way of St James. A stage through varied, rolling countryside of vineyards, meadows and woods, starting from Neuville-sur-Ain and passing through pretty villages and small towns, ending with a stunning view of Allymes Castle and the Ambérieu plain.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. The fifth and final stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. The stage begins in the forest before reaching the mountain pastures and the Pierre à Fromage. The Crêt de la Goutte (1,621 m) offers a breathtaking panorama of the Alps, Mont Blanc and the three great lakes — Lake Geneva, Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget. The descent crosses the nature reserve between the Crêt du Miroir and Crêt du Milieu to Sorgia-d’en-Haut, then the path heads into the forest before following the banks of the Valserine to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. Protected area: dogs and tent camping are prohibited in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. If the Valserine riverside path is closed, follow the diversion via the Voie du Tram to reach the centre of Bellegarde.