The Petite Montagne region around Saint-Hymetière-sur-Valouse

Start the route from the car park at the church in Saint-Hymetière-sur-Valouse.

(S/E) Heading due east, take Rue de l’Église to the D109 road: after crossing it carefully, turn right, then quite soon turn left towards Route de Cézia (D201), passing the town hall shortly afterwards.

(1) Continue along the road, preferably following the cycle and footpaths.

(2) Take a path on the left, and quite soon follow another on the right until you reach a clearly visible cross.

(3) Continue straight on along the small road until you reach the village of Cézia.

(4) At the junction, continue straight on, passing close to the Chapelle Saint-Léger, then turn left up the Chemin de la Fage Verte (towards Vescles and Le Bourbouillon). Continue along this path for a short while, ignoring any junctions you come to (follow the yellow markings).

(5) At a wide bend, continue along the main path and finish the climb, passing under the power line twice.

(6) At a junction, take the path on the right, following the markings. You will come to a pond.

(7) Turn left onto the path towards the ruins of Montcresson, then continue straight on at a junction.

(8) You will soon reach a hillock and come across some sections of ruined walls (corresponding to the castle ruins), then, just after that, a relatively open area corresponding to the Montcresson viewpoint (with views of the Jura Mountains, in particular, when I visited). Be careful of the cliff. Retrace your steps.

(7) Back at the pond, continue left along the path.

(9) At the junction, continue left along the path (GR®9 signposted).

(10) At a large crossroads, take the small road on the left.

(11) After a short descent, take a path on the right. Further down, cross the road and follow the path opposite.

(12) At a place called Tilleul Hugon, cross the road again and follow the path opposite.

(13) After about 300 metres, look out for a path on the left and take it, then join a track: follow it to the right for a few metres, then take another track on the left. Further on, you’ll reach a small road: follow it to the left, passing beneath the Chapelle Saint-Laurent. Shortly afterwards, continue left onto a track, then carry on left onto a narrow path. You’ll reach the chapel, situated on a promontory with a lovely view of the valley.

(14) Retrace your steps and continue along the road, ignoring the road on the left marked by a cross.

(15) Reach the village of Chisséria: cross the road with care and continue straight ahead on the Route du Maréchal Pommier (RD53) for about 1 km (take great care with regard to traffic).

(16) After a bend, follow a track to the left for about 400 m and then take a path to the right (follow the yellow markings).

(17) Join a track, follow it to the left and return to the car park (S/E).

The route starts from the car park at Saint-Hymetière Church (viewable on Google Maps).

The route as described is relatively easy overall, and comments on difficulty are only included where relevant.

It is possible to shorten the distance slightly (by about 800 metres) by following the small road between the Chapelle Saint-Laurent (14) and the Croix de Cezia (3), then returning via the same route as on the outward journey.

In detail, below is a difficulty rating by section (the route is not uniform):
- Green: a fairly straightforward route with no significant elevation gain or difficulty.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-signposted route.
- Orange: routes presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route conditions (markings or visibility of the path).

From (S/E) to (2): Green difficulty
You pass through the village, then follow a road through a developed area.

From (2) to (3): Green difficulty
Follow a track suitable for vehicles as far as the cross.
Yellow markings

From (3) to (4): Green difficulty
You follow a small road for a short distance.
Yellow markings

From (4) to (6): Green difficulty
The route continues along a small road that climbs gently. After a hairpin bend, the route then follows a clearly visible track suitable for vehicles for a short while.
Yellow markings

From (6) to (7): Green difficulty
The route follows a track with no significant gradient.
Yellow markings

From (7) to (8): Blue difficulty
Follow a path leading to the ruins of Montcresson. There are some minor difficulties in the vicinity of this site. Caution: you are on the edge of a cliff.
Unmarked section. A few signposts are present.

From (7) to (9): Blue difficulty
After returning to the pond, continue along a path with a gentle gradient.
Yellow markings

From (9) to (10): Green difficulty
We carry on along another path that descends slightly.
GR®@9 markings

From (10) to (11): Green difficulty
We follow a small road downhill.
Signpost: GR®@9

From (11) to (13): Blue difficulty
You follow a path that is generally quite gentle.
Marked GR®@9

From (13) to (14): Blue difficulty
A short section of a narrow track is followed with little difficulty, then the route continues along a downhill path. You then continue along a small road before following a path and a track leading to the chapel.
Yellow signposting except at the entrance to the chapel.

From (14) to (16): Green difficulty
Follow a small road to the hamlet of Chisséria. From there, carry on along a section of road (RD53) through the least pleasant part of the route. Take care to watch out for traffic.
Unmarked section.

From (16) to (17): Blue difficulty
Continue along a track suitable for vehicles, then onto a path with a pleasant route. Please note: the route shown here differs slightly from the IGN map.
Yellow markings.

From (17) to (S/E): Green difficulty
The route follows a track suitable for vehicles, taking you back to the starting point.
Yellow markings.

Along the route:

• Church of Sainte-Marie de Saint-Hymetière: see the Wikipedia article
• Saint-Léger Chapel (Cézia)
• Ruins of Montcresson Castle (no sources found)
• Saint-Laurent Chapel: watch the video on YouTube

Not far from the route:

• Arinthod: this is a pretty little town that is well worth a detour, mainly for its central arcaded square. To find out more, read the Wikipedia article.
• The Bœuf drystone shelter: this is a cave situated not far from Saint-Hymetière. To find out more, read the Wikipedia article and the Visorando access guide.
• Saint-Didier Chapel: a small, pretty chapel situated about 1 km from Cézia
• Dramelay Castle: for more information, read the Wikipedia article and the Visorando access guide