Sainte-Croix - Les Rochats

Markings: signposts with sticker no. 5 on a green background (Jura Höhenweg).

(S) From your bivouac site, return to Chemin de la Dryade and head south-west. At the fork, continue along Rue du Cochet to the right, slightly uphill, and continue to the signpost at the crossroads.

(1) At the hairpin bend, turn right (north-east) and follow the signs for Les Praisses/Chasseron. The path winds through woods and open countryside, but keep heading in this direction until you reach the junction with Chemin La Casba. Turn north and continue to the second house.

(2) Turn right onto the steeply ascending path, following the signs for Chasseron (sign on electricity pole). At the intersection, turn right and continue south-east to the ski lift and the hangar.

(3) Continue left, heading north after the hangar, pass under the Crochet ski lift and continue to the access road to the Casba Restaurant.

(4) Turn right before the restaurant and head north-east to the Chalet Restaurant Les Avattes.

(5) Turn left in front of the chalet, then at the ski lift, head north-east and climb up to the Les Petites Roches signpost (viewpoint at 1,583 m).Once you reach the summit of Les Petites Roches (1,583 m), you can see the imposing summit of Le Chasseron (1,607 m), whose ridge stands out from afar

(6). Follow the ridge towards Chasseron. At the signpost at the intersection, continue towards Chasseron and walk to the Pierre de la Paix (this stone, with its religious symbols engraved by a local woman, marks the most energetic place in Switzerland).

(7) Continue along the ridge path until you reach the Hôtel du Chasseron. Go around the building on the right-hand side and, at the signpost, follow the north-west direction towards Les Cernets dessous. After a few minutes' walk, you will reach the summit of Chasseron (1,607 m). From the summit, enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Alps and part of the Jura mountains.

(8) After enjoying the view, continue along the path towards the north-east. At the fork, you can go left to a rocky outcrop (5 min round trip), or stay on the right towards the north-east and continue to the signpost at the intersection with the road leading to the Chalet-Restaurant la Grandsonnaz Dessus.

(9) Go through the turnstile and turn right onto Chemin Les Tempêteries towards Les Cernets Dessous. Stay on this road until you reach the intersection with the sign for La Grandsonnaz.

(10) Leave the road and continue straight ahead on the grassy path, which is closed to motor vehicles. Continue east/southeast to the Les Cernets Dessous farm.

(11) Continue south-east to the Chalet d'Alpage Cruchaude.

(12) At the signpost in front of the chalet, head north-east and continue to the junction with Chemin de la Calame near a farm.

(13) Continue along Chemin de la Calame until you reach the fork.

(14) Turn left to approach the Bois de Calame, then continue to the junction with a small tarmac road.

(15) Stay on the same road and continue north-east on Chemin Les Gillardes until you reach the fork after a left-hand bend.

(16) Turn right (northeast), pass in front of Les Gillardes farm and continue to the crossroads at the edge of a wood.

(17) Enter the woods opposite and continue until you reach the signpost on Chemin de La Vaux.

(18) Stay on the opposite side, heading northeast into the woods, and continue to the Restaurant la Combaz.

(19) Turn left towards Les Rochats. Continue until you reach the signposts on a telephone pole.

(20) Leave the road and follow the path on the right, which heads south-east towards La Redalle/Creux de la Pey. Pass close to La Redalle farm and continue until you reach the bottom of the Fondation de Préfargier building at a place called Creux de la Pey.

(21) Head north-east, continue to the woods, then to the edge of the woods and continue north/north-west. Stay on this path until you reach the signpost at the fork.

(22) Turn right towards Les Rohats. Continue until you leave the woods and arrive in front of the Restaurant les Rochats.

(23) Pass the restaurant on your left and continue north-east towards the Les Rochats barracks (E) and find a discreet spot for your bivouac.

Remember to carry cash with you as credit cards are not always accepted in the mountains!
Refreshments available along the way at Restaurant Casba (4), Chalet Restaurant Les Avattes (5), Chalet-Restaurant la Grandsonnaz Dessus (9), Restaurant la Combaz (19), Restaurant les Rochats (23).
No supplies available.
No camping, find a place to camp between the restaurant and the Caserne des Rochats.

This route was completed by the author on 23/08/2025

Numerous viewpoints along the entire route.
(5) Small rocks.
(7) Pierre de la Paix.
(8) Le Chasseron (1608 m).