Pic d'Oliferne via the ridge trails

Discover Oliferne Castle via the ridge paths.
Forget the wide, uninteresting track and enjoy the pleasant paths and panoramic views, where it is practically impossible to go wrong if you follow the yellow markings.
Please note: some areas require extra attention when walking with children.

Details

5434326
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.99 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 289 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 298 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 803 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 590 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from the car park at the end of the village.

(S/E) Take the main track marked Château d'Oliferne.

(1) Leave this track after about 300m and take the path on the left marked Pic d'Oliferne par les crêtes. Follow the path, then the yellow marked trail. This trail winds between box trees and open spaces above the Ain river.

(2) Leave the descending path on your right, turn sharply left and continue following the markings.
When you reach the large track, turn left until you see the sign for "Bois des Marguerites", which you should ignore for now.

(3) Continue along the path and head for the Château d'Oliferne, where you will be greeted by the statue in arms! There is a 360° panorama and, on a clear day, you can see Mont Blanc to the east.

(4) Retrace your steps back to the sign you saw on the way up.

(3) Turn left towards Le Bois des Marguerites, which is 400 metres away.

(5) At the fork, turn right and follow the track for about 500 m.

(6) Look for the path on the left leading into the woods and continue to a viewpoint overlooking Le Bois des Chavannes, the hamlet of Anchay and the landscapes of La Petite Montagne. Continue along the path to reach the Crête du Molard de la Justice and follow it.
Caution: cliffs. In the distance on your right, you can see the high peaks of the Haute Chaine. Pass the power line. At the next crossroads, ignore the poorly marked paths opposite and heading down to the left.

(7) Begin the descent to the right, first through pastures, then along a path under the pine trees, to reach a wide track at a place called "Champs Pertus".

(8) Continue straight ahead and climb back up to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 613 m - Boutavant car park
  2. 1 : km 0.34 - alt. 628 m - Head towards Oliferne Castle via the ridges.
  3. 2 : km 2.64 - alt. 739 m - Bois des Gros Foyards
  4. 3 : km 3.52 - alt. 751 m - Head towards Bois des Marguerites. View of the valley - Bienne (rivière)
  5. 4 : km 3.88 - alt. 803 m - Pic d'Oliferne
  6. 5 : km 4.64 - alt. 719 m - Bois des Marguerites
  7. 6 : km 5.08 - alt. 724 m - Access to the Molard de la Justice Trail
  8. 7 : km 6.86 - alt. 708 m - Crossroads
  9. 8 : km 7.5 - alt. 594 m - Champs Pertus
  10. S/E : km 7.98 - alt. 612 m - Boutavant car park

Worth a visit

Take all the accessible paths for a complete tour of the castle. As you walk, admire all the maintenance work that has been done to enhance the site.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
MARIE 1
MARIE 1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are no more trees obstructing the path. Well done to the association for creating such beautiful landscaping and building safety barriers. The view is as beautiful as ever.

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PascaleB.
PascaleB.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We enjoyed a beautiful morning hike, walking in the opposite direction to finish with a grand finale on the ridge overlooking Lake Coiselet. It took us 3 hours and 15 minutes, including a visit to the castle and taking in every view, from the peaks of the Haut-Jura to Mont Blanc. Peace and quiet guaranteed in December! Thank you very much for sharing!

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joel21
joel21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first kilometre is steep, but once you reach Oliferne Castle, you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the summit of Mont Blanc. We were lucky to have clear, sunny weather. I highly recommend it...

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PhilippeMoulling
PhilippeMoulling

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike.
Took 2 hours and 40 minutes (not including the visit to the castle), with children aged 4.5 to 11.
Beautiful view, but be careful because of the cliffs.
Not very busy as it was done on a weekday out of season. Otherwise, it is busy on public holidays....

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denis.courdier
denis.courdier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Be careful with children at the start of the trail, as it runs alongside a precipice.

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thierry.veyziat
thierry.veyziat
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
First of all, thank you for sharing this hike.
A very beautiful hike with no major difficulties, but be careful as there are some cliffs without protection or guardrails.
There are beautiful views all along the route, culminating in the 360° views from the castle.
You can plan a picnic break in the castle, where you'll find everything you need, but please respect the site.
Enjoy your walk, everyone.

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Alanax
Alanax

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, a must if you are in the area. The route is very well explained and marked (well, I just missed the start on the left-hand track and ended up doing the route backwards , starting on the right-hand track).
Very beautiful views of the ridge line and the balconies overlooking the lake and the castle ruins as a reward.

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mgvilly
mgvilly

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful hike we reversed the direction
Magnificent view, a must-see

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jp.cael
jp.cael

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The site of Oliferne Castle is popular, but not the route, which is nevertheless worth the detour... magnificent 360° views.

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gloriamaris
gloriamaris

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant ridge trails, not particularly difficult and well marked. Beautiful views of the lake. Castle ruins with explanatory panels +++

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favrebrunj
favrebrunj

Thank you for your comment...
The aim was indeed to enable visitors to discover this iconic castle via "shortcut" paths.

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Vané01
Vané01
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This ridge walk offers some beautiful views, particularly of Lake Coiselet. The section passing by the castle is also very nice. It is very accessible. The route was very well signposted.

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