Circular walk around the Rochers de Naye starting from Caux

Start from the free car park along the Route des Monts in Caux (access to the Haut-de-Caux car park is not always permitted).

(S/E) Head north-east and follow the Chemin de Cerniaz uphill.

(1) Turn right onto the Via Alpina trail.

(2) You’ll come out onto the Route de Jaman; follow it to the right to reach the Haut-de-Caux car park.

(3) Then turn left.

(4) At the Fork in the road immediately ahead, keep to the right and follow the sign for the Rochers de Naye along the mountain path, on the Route des Raveyres. Pass the Haut-de-Caux station on your left. Ignore a few paths branching off to the right and continue to Liboson d’en Haut.

(5) Continue south then south-west along a path climbing through the forest until you reach the next junction.

(6) At the paragliding launch site, take a path on the left that climbs, still heading towards the Rochers de Naye. Keep heading north-east and go round a rocky outcrop (Les Dentaux) on the right.

(7) At the fork in the road at a place called Sautodoz, turn right towards the Rochers de Naye. You will arrive at the foot of a large building (the terminus station of the Rochers de Naye railway).

(8) If you wish, turn right to visit the alpine garden. Then retrace your steps.

(8) Go round the large building on the left (straight ahead if you’re returning from the alpine garden, to the left if you’ve skipped that visit). After a few hairpin bends, you’ll reach the summit of the Rochers de Naye (breathtaking view over Lake Geneva).

(9) Head north-east, pass a cross and follow the long ridge of the Chaux de Ney (the route is exposed on the left-hand side, so take great care).

(10) At the signpost, turn left onto a path leading down towards the MGN Jaman ski resort (narrow and steep path: take care; section fitted with chains). Continue along a series of steps on the cliff face, then onto a path crossing a scree slope. This will take you to the Col de Bonaudon.

(11) Continue straight on (west) towards the Jaman ski resort. Descend along a narrow path.

(12) At a fork in the road, turn right and head back up to Jaman station.

(13) Cross the railway line with care and continue north. Climb, then descend slightly to a junction of paths.

(14) Two options here:
- Ascent of the Dent de Jaman (not marked on the map and not completed in full by the author: a very steep climb, bordering on rock climbing in places). Take the second path on the left. At the next junction, turn left and climb up a series of tight hairpin bends to the summit. Retrace your steps back to the path junction.
- Alternatively, as shown on the map, take the first path on the left, at an acute angle, and descend south-south-west towards Caux.

(15) At the junction, first turn right then left to continue descending towards Caux.

(16) At a place called Chamossale, carry on straight ahead along the descending path, passing a building on your left. Further on, ignore a path coming from the right and continue down the slope.

(17) At the next junction, turn left and follow the winding path downwards. This will take you to Crêt-d’y-Bau station.

(18) Cross the tracks carefully and continue downwards, keeping to the left of the railway line. You will reach Haut-de-Caux station, which you passed earlier in the walk.

(4) Continue along the same route (westwards).

(3) At the junction that appears immediately, carry on straight ahead and you will soon reach the car park where you started (S/E).

If you do not wish to walk down the stairs to reach the Dent de Jaman, I advise you to change direction. This is a very steep section, not suitable for those prone to vertigo.

Restaurant at the summit of the Rochers de Naye.

Refreshment bar at the Jaman station.

Signposting and directional signs are clearly visible.

You can reach the Rochers de Naye effortlessly by rack railway. The picturesque and breathtaking journey takes you from the shores of Lake Geneva to magnificent mountain scenery. During its ascent, the train climbs over 1,600 metres in altitude, passing fields, villages and forests. The route follows the contours of the mountain and, as it climbs, reveals spectacular views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding peaks.

Once you arrive at Les Rochers de Naye, you can take a return trip to the ‘La Rambertia’ alpine garden and its impressive collection of over 1,000 alpine plants.