The Charcoal Burners’ Trail starting from Chanay

To reach the start point in the village of Chanay from the D991, take the Route de Bocconod and park at the City Stade.

(S/E) From the City Stade, head towards the top of the village by following the Route de Bocconod.
Leave Rue de la Croix Ancian on your right and follow Chemin Louis Hottlet to the top of the village.

(1) When you reach the signpost for the hamlet of Bocconod, take the path branching off to the right and follow it to the next fork. Follow the path climbing up to the left and continue until you reach the tarmac road.

(2) Take the path in front of you that goes uphill and follow this well-marked path to the road.
Turn right and continue along this road. After a short climb, on a rock jutting out to the left of the road, you will see a small cross carved into the stone, La Croix du Rocher.

(3) Continue along this forest road which winds through the mountains and runs alongside meadows where old farmhouses still nestle, now often converted into weekend homes. Ignore all the turnings to the left. As you pass, admire the view of La Michaille and the Jura.

(4) After passing a small stone barn on your right, continue to the tarmac road descending from the Col de Richemond.

(5) At the road, take a path on the left that leads into the beech forest (not shown on the IGN map). On your left, shortly after the start of the path, you’ll come across a stone wall, a remnant of the Second World War.
Follow this path until you come to a forest track.

(6) At the road, turn left and follow it for two kilometres. Enjoy the views to the east over the Mont Blanc massif, which can be seen if the weather is clear.
After passing a small chalet, continue along the descending forest road until you reach a sign on your left marked: Retour Chanay.

(7) Turn left onto the marked path, which may be a little slippery in wet weather. Follow it until you come to a path branching off to the right. Follow it until you reach a water treatment plant on a tarmac road. Head up this road to the right for about ten metres until you find a small path on the left that descends towards the village. You will come to the boundary marker for the hamlet of Bocconod.

(1) Take the path you used on the way up to reach the City Stade car park (S/E).

The City Stade car park has a motorhome service area.
A welcome sign on site indicates the route and its starting point.

(S/E) The village of Chanay has a grocery shop.
(3) Until 1960, the parish priest would come here in procession to bless the farmers, woodcutters and charcoal burners living in the mountains.
Also worth a visit, 3 km away in Surjoux, is the Pain de Sucre waterfall.
More information on Terre Valserine.