In the footsteps of the smugglers from Chézery-Forens

From Valserhône, take the D991 towards Chézery-Forens. Park at the post office/town hall in Chézéry-Florens.

(S/E) From the car park, turn right towards the roundabout, take the left exit and follow the signs for "la Rivière", passing in front of the gendarmerie. At the end of the road, turn left onto the path and continue to follow the Valserine river at the next three junctions to reach a fourth junction.

(1) Leave the river by turning right, then left, towards Fontaine Bénite. Continue straight ahead on the track, then, at the hairpin bend, take the path. Follow the D991 and continue in this direction, ignoring the Moulin Thomas at the crossroads, as well as all the paths on the right. You will arrive at the village of La Rivière.

(2) Cross the D991 and a second departmental road, turning left. Keep to the first path on the right to climb up to a cable bridge.

(3) Cross the Rivière stream, following the direction of Reculet. At the next junction, keep left, cross another stream and you will come to a track. First turn right then left to rejoin the path. You will find it a little further up in a bend. Take the second track on the left and you will arrive at Vernay-Dessus.

(4) Follow the path that climbs to the right of the houses. When you reach the track, first turn right then left. Continue straight ahead at the next junction, as well as at the second and third junctions. At the end of the path, turn left onto the track, then take the shortcut on the right and continue climbing. When you reach the track again, turn left.

(5) Turn right at the hairpin bend and head towards the Chalets de Lachat.

(6) Continue climbing, keeping to the left, on the track, then on the path at the next intersection to reach the Derrière Thoiry mountain pastures.

(7) Keep to the right and reach the GR®. Turn off onto the second path on the right, until you reach Le Reculet.

(8) Reach the summit and its cross. Descend southwards following the GR®. Go around the Polvette and Capitaine mountain chalets. Then ignore a path descending to the left. Continue along the ridge to the Pierre de la Lune.

(9) Keep heading south, following the GR® trail.

(10) At Passage du Gralet, continue straight on to Passage des Chezerands, near the Refuge du Gralet.

(11) Turn completely right. A yellow-marked trail immediately descends into the forest and, cutting straight across several times, reaches the hamlet of Rosset.

(12) Continue straight ahead to cross the hamlet. Once you have left the hamlet, keep left and you will come to a small road at Le Raffour.

(13) Stay on this road for about 150 metres, then take the first path on the left.

(14) Cross the Grande and Petite Bossona, then take the first path downhill to the village of Chézery-Forens. Once you have started this descent, keep going until you reach the starting point (S/E).

Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions.

1. Safety instructions

This route crosses part of the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. Please respect the regulations.
https://www.rnn-hautechainedujura.fr/

Among these rules: dogs are not allowed, even on a leash!

1. Before setting off

- Check the general and local weather forecast to ensure there will be no precipitation

- Find out about the approach walk, the height of the route, the walking time, and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.)

- Assess the possible risks by consulting mountain professionals, refuges, and lodges

- Inform a friend or family member of your plans and contact them again in case of any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with each person's phone number, vehicle(s), parking.

- Avoid setting off alone. Use equipment that is suitable for the activity, properly adjusted and in good condition, including a head torch, a complete first aid kit, a survival blanket, etc.

In case of an emergency, call112 (European emergency number).

(8) The Reculet cross was erected on the initiative of Abbé Monnet, parish priest of Thoiry. He was keen to reaffirm the Catholic faith in the face of the Protestants and anti-clericals of Geneva.
It was made by François Nallet, a blacksmith in Thoiry, then transported piece by piece by four villagers (Louis and Auguste Girod, Aimé Fusier and Faustin Antonioli). It was inaugurated on 25 July 1892.