Pointe des Jottis from Chauméty

Start from Chauméty, a hamlet situated on the D26 between the Col de Jambaz and the village of Mégevette. Park opposite the sign for the Jottis walk. There are three or four spaces available alongside a building that is currently unoccupied (until when?). In any case, take care not to obstruct traffic.

Signposts at major junctions.

(S/E) Head east and take the narrow Route du Châtelet. Follow the road as it climbs, winding through several bends. This will take you to the hamlet of Châtelet, which you should pass through.

(1) At the end of the tarmac, turn right onto a tree-lined path towards Les Jottis. After a right-hand bend, begin a very steep climb through a beech forest. The path is almost straight and very steep, with only two S-bends to ease the effort. At the top, the slope levels out. Leave the forest and you will immediately reach Les Jottis (chalet, oratory).

(2) Continue straight on towards La Bray, passing two other chalets. Then climb gently and steadily along a stony mountain pasture track through the pastures. Pass directly below the summit of the Pointe des Jottis and take two hairpin bends, first turn left then right, at the level of two chalets.

(3) At an unnamed pass, head back down towards the east.

(4) At the “Plateau de La Bray” signpost (chalets below on the right), ignore a path coming from the right and continue along the track.

(5) At the “La Bray” signpost, near a high-voltage power line, turn sharply left towards Le Cougnou and Béman. Follow the path for about 50 m, until it veers to the right and begins to descend steeply.

(6) Then leave the path and take the faintly marked trail opposite (be careful to spot this start). Follow this trail, which is overgrown with vegetation, heading north-north-west.

(7) After a fairly flat section, turn left and climb diagonally up a steeper, better-marked path. After a right-hand bend, climb up the grassy ridge. Pass through a gate (close it behind you) and you will reach the summit very quickly (metal cross).

(8) Begin the descent via the same route as the ascent until you reach the wide path to Le Cougnou and Béman.

(6) Two options here:
- Return to Chauméty via the same path as on the way up, but in the opposite direction (see the practical information section).
- As shown on the map, follow a stony path to the left, immediately ignoring a faint grassy track on the right, and descend steeply. Pass through a gate (closing it behind you) and, at the Fork in the road that appears immediately, take the path on the right, continuing downhill. Further on, go round a metal barrier and reach the Chalet du Cougnou.

(9) The path then disappears into a meadow: head briefly westwards up a small valley and quickly turn right towards the forest. In July 2019, there was a sheep fence there and you simply had to follow it on your right. You’ll come to a path at the edge of the forest. N.B. At this point, two tree trunks have been placed across the path (to deter mountain bikers?)... In any case, go round this obstacle and take the path that climbs into the forest.
The path is apparently little used and not maintained. It sometimes narrows to a track, is sometimes overgrown with vegetation, but is always well marked and easy to follow. Begin a gentle descent through a sparse forest.

(10) At the edge of a beech and fir forest, continue straight ahead (north) along the path opposite, which is well marked and descends steeply (ignore a path branching off to the left not shown on the map; see an alternative route in the practical information). You will reach Béman d’en haut and pass the chalets on your right.

(11) Then turn left and head back up a good path towards Les Jottis.

(12) At a junction (signpost), ignore a path coming from the left (not shown on the map), continue along the wide path and climb gently. Pass beneath the two Rebelas chalets and head downhill. After a short climb, you’ll reach Les Jottis.

(2) Turn right towards Le Châtelet and head back down the beech-lined path taken on the way up (the slope is just as steep). This will take you to the hamlet of Le Châtelet.

(1) Continue down the road to Chauméty (S/E).

Hiking boots required. Bring your own water supplies.

Allow around two hours for the climb to the summit. A detailed map is required (at the very least the one accompanying this description).

Warnings:
- Between Le Cougnou (9) and Béman d’en haut (10), the path is poorly maintained and overgrown in places. This does not hinder progress (as of July 2019) but you must keep to the path.
- The Cougnou mountain pastures (9) are used by sheep and their guard dogs. You must keep your dog on a lead and, if you encounter the guard dogs, remain calm: read the recommendations on the sign in front of the chalet.

Alternatives:

Return via the same route as on the way up - On the descent from the summit, when you reach the junction (6), turn right and then immediately right again towards Les Jottis. Point to note: at the “Plateau de La Bray” signpost (4), take the path on the right, which climbs uphill. Follow the mountain pasture track to Les Jottis (2) then the steep path through the beech forest to Le Châtelet (1) and finally the road to Chauméty (S/E).

Route from the top of Béman - At the edge of the beech and fir forest (10), take a wide forest path to the left (west) that descends gently. After going round a sort of rocky outcrop to the right, the path becomes overgrown: grass, dead spruce trees lying across it, etc. Continue along the path despite the obstruction, descend and join the Béman aux Jottis path at point (12). Then rejoin the main route. This route saves you a bit of elevation gain but requires that you are not put off by the brief obstructed section.

Hike completed by the author on 18 July 2019.

- Beautiful beech forest between (1) and (2) and between (10) and (11).
- Several pretty alpine chalets.
- Oratory at Les Jottis (2).
- A very pleasant walk along the mountain pasture track between (2) and (5).

From the summit, a 360° panorama:
- To the north, Lake Geneva.
- To the east, the Dent d'Oche, the Roc du Château d'Oche, the Cornettes de Bise and the Mont de Grange.
- To the south-east, the Roc d'Enfer and Pointe de Chalune massifs.
- To the south-west, Le Môle and, in the background, the Pointe Percée.