Crossing Les Follys and Pointe de Chavannais in a circular loop

Start from the Pont de Lajoux car park at La Chèvrerie (about 9 km from Bellevaux).

(S/E) Cross the Pont de Lajoux, then immediately afterwards follow a track on the right running alongside the riverbed.

(1) Continue straight on until you reach a path coming from La Chèvrerie (towards Lac de Vallon). At a junction, follow the path to the right, then immediately afterwards take the path on the left towards La Croix des Chartreux. You will then reach the Chapelle Saint Bruno a few metres further on (access possible on the left).

(2) Continue straight on to the Gué de la Diomaz: follow the path on the left. Further on, join another path coming from the left at a Y-junction: continue straight on along the stream bed, then shortly afterwards cross it twice at fords in quick succession.

(3) At a junction, follow the ascending path to the left: the route overlooks the surrounding area for a while before following the stream along its bed. You’ll reach the foot of the pretty Cascade de la Diomaz, where you can see the Croix des Chartreux carved into a stone.

(4) From here, you will encounter some difficulties in a rather rugged section (a chain provides assistance for the first few metres). Along the way, there are several opportunities to reach the waterfall, which is marked by a few potholes.

(5) After fording the stream bed, you reach a junction: continue left (no signposting in this direction), keeping the stream on your left at a distance. You reach another junction further on (if you miss it, you can also follow the next one).

(6) Continue to the right on a path with some steep sections. Further up, you’ll reach the final stretch of a forest track.

(7) Continue left along a path with some steep sections. You will reach a forest hut.

(8) Continue straight ahead on the forest track, then shortly afterwards, turn left onto another track.

(9) Shortly after passing a small pass (elevation 1542m), follow a path to the left which is barely visible at the start: after a long climb up some steep slopes, you’ll reach a small viewpoint on the right with views of the western sector. Continue along the ridge line, then after a junction, carry straight on along a path up steep ascending slopes. Reach the ridge line and head to the summit of Pointe des Follys, situated a few metres to the left (marked by a cross); there are some views of the eastern sector (notably of Pointe de Chalune and Roc d’Enfer).

(10) Continue the route almost due south, heading downhill.

(11) At the Col des Bétets, continue straight on uphill towards the Tête des Follys. At a junction (no signposting), head left uphill.

(12) After reaching the ridge line, you can turn left to reach the summit a few metres away (beautiful views to the west). Continue southwards along the Arête des Follys (more beautiful views to the east). You will reach a junction at the Col des Follys.

(13) Continue straight on along the path, then proceed at the foot of the imposing Chavannais cliff (area potentially exposed to rockfalls). You will reach another junction at the Col des Charmettes.

(14) Turn left and follow the path, which joins a ridge line further up (be careful, as you are passing very close to very steep grassy slopes which themselves overlook cliffs not far away).

(15) You reach the Col des Chavannais: follow a path on the left to reach the summit of the Pointe de Chavannais, which is not far away (take care as the route runs directly above cliffs).

(16) Turn back to the Col des Chavannais.

(15) Continue the route to the left, on the other side of the valley (towards Chalet de Chalan): fairly soon, take another, less marked path to the left and continue downhill through rather stony terrain with some steep slopes. Further down, there is a short climb before you reach a mountain pasture: go straight on at the junction (at a place called Chavan) and continue downhill.

(17) Just before the Chalet de Chavan (mountain hut), continue to the right towards the Pâturage de Pététoz: head towards the Pointe de Chavasse, which you then follow along its base over a few steep ascents in rocky terrain (caution: this entire area is potentially exposed to rockfalls).

(18) You will reach two steep sections in succession (the^first is equipped with chains) requiring a degree of caution, then climb up a wide grassy valley.

(19) Continue straight on until you reach a Y-junction (at a place called Pâturage de Pététoz): the route takes you through alpine pastures at the foot of the Pointe de Chalune and joins the Col de Jorat, before reaching the Chalet de Pététoz.

(20) Near the^first chalet, head left towards the Pont de Lajoux: the route passes close to a second chalet, then shortly afterwards follows a track entering the forest for a descent. Join another track coming from the right.

(21) Continue left along a path where you will encounter a difficult section on a steep, steeply sloping section. Further down, you will come to another path: continue straight ahead.

(22) At the end of the path, follow the track to the left. A little further on, turn right at a place called Lajoux to return to the car park (S/E).

Update by the author on 29/05/2026: the route has been altered near the Chapelle Saint Bruno (2) as access is prohibited in certain areas (signs are in place).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps.
Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.
Please take your rubbish away with you; nature will thank you for it. I hesitated a little over which route to choose

I was a bit unsure about which route to choose: initially I had planned a direct return after the Refuge de Chavan, but I didn’t go for that as the route involves some steep slopes that aren’t very pleasant on the way down, followed by a relatively long track suitable for vehicles.
I also hesitated over taking a route via Lac de Pététoz, which is certainly a lovely spot, but this would have added to the difficulty given the steep slopes involved and the extra distance to cover.
In the end, I chose this route as it seemed the most balanced to me, despite the extra elevation gain (around 200 metres) and the extra distance (around 2 km) compared to the^first option presented with a direct return.

With this in mind, I suggest the following alternatives:

• At the Col de Chavannais, just past the point (16), the route can be taken via the Col de Chavan: shortly afterwards, continue straight on, then you’ll come to a short steep section with a handrail. Continue along a less defined path before reaching the pass, then turn left onto a trail to rejoin the route of this walk further down, before continuing to the Chavan refuge (point (17).
• At the Chavan refuge, you can shorten the route by heading straight on towards the Pont de Lajoux: the route follows a steep section for a while, then continues for about 2 km along a track suitable for vehicles back to the starting point.
• At the Pététoz Pasture at point (19) or even a little before, by cutting across the meadow, you can take a short detour to reach the Col de Vésinaz for more beautiful views on the eastern side.
• At the Petetoz chalets at the point (20), you can take a detour (about 1.5 km further) to reach the very pretty Lake Petetoz: continue to the right across the meadow on a poorly marked route, then follow the signposted path. Care is required on two fairly steep sections with exposed roots (the^first before reaching the lake and the^second after). The return journey is straightforward, simply following the forest track.

In detail, below is a difficulty rating by section (a route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly easy going with no significant elevation gain or difficulty.
- Blue: slopes and/or elevation changes are more pronounced on a well-marked route.
- Orange: route presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor trail conditions (markings or visibility).
- Red: a difficult route due to significant elevation changes that may require some climbing, in an environment presenting some hazards.
- Black: a route on a fairly difficult trail and/or involving imminent dangers.
- White: routes in very challenging technical environments requiring specific equipment.

From (S/E) to (2). Green difficulty
An easily navigable track is followed.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (2) to (4). Blue difficulty
A path running alongside the Diomaz stream is followed without major difficulty in ‘normal’ conditions. Access is not recommended in the event of rain or high water (warning sign posted) and particularly at the fords. At point (3) you can also follow the route to the right: this route is less difficult, but it avoids the Cascade de la Diomaz area (note that this involves fording the stream).
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (4) to (5). Difficulty: Orange
From here, the route becomes quite rugged: after a short section aided by a chain, the path continues via a series of more or less natural steps amidst numerous tree roots. The stream is forded once more before reaching a junction.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (5) to (6). Blue difficulty
A path is then followed with few difficulties to be encountered.
Unmarked section.

From (6) to (7). Blue difficulty
The route follows a path with a few steep sections but no technical difficulties, before continuing along a forest track.
Unmarked section.

From (7) to (8). Blue difficulty
The route follows a path over moderate slopes, which then become quite steep.
Unmarked section.

From (8) to (9): Green difficulty
The route is easier to follow along forest tracks.
Unmarked section.

From (9) to (10). Orange difficulty
You follow a faint path at the start, then tackle a few steep slopes up to the 1,625m ridge. The route then continues with no significant elevation gain along the ridge line, then after a junction it ascends up slopes that gradually become steeper.
Marked with red dots.

From (10) to (11). Green difficulty
The route follows a path with minimal difficulty.
Unmarked section.

From (11) to (12). Blue difficulty
The route follows a path up moderate slopes which become steeper shortly after the junction.
Unmarked section (only a signpost at the pass is present).

From (12) to (13). Green difficulty
The route is easy, following a path along the ridge (Arête des Follys)
Unmarked section.

From (13) to (14). Blue difficulty
This section runs at the foot of the long Chavannais cliff (an area potentially exposed to rockfalls) in a landscape that becomes somewhat rocky.
Signposts + old GR® regional markings (yellow-red)

From (14) to (16). Blue difficulty
Follow a path through alpine terrain without encountering any significant difficulties; on the ridge section, a degree of caution is required at the edge of steep grassy slopes which themselves overlook cliffs. Shortly afterwards, the approach to the Pointe de Chavannais takes place directly along the cliff edge and requires a degree of vigilance (caution).
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (16) to (17). Difficulty: Orange
Shortly after the Col de Chavannais, turn off onto another path (no signposting at the start): this winds through rocky terrain over a few steep slopes that may be slippery underfoot. On the lower part of the route, the path runs through alpine pastureland where the trail is less visible. After the Chavan junction, follow a well-marked path.
Yellow markings up to the Chavan junction, then old GR® regional markings (yellow-red) and signposts.

From (17) to (18). Blue difficulty
The route is fairly easy at first, then moves into a rocky environment at the foot of some cliffs, with a few steep slopes (area potentially exposed to rockfalls).
Signposting: Yellow arrows + old GR® regional markings (yellow-red) + signposts.

From (18) to (19): Blue difficulty
Two steep sections with steep slopes are encountered in quick succession: the first is equipped with chains, the second, less critical, is not. The route then becomes easier as it climbs up a grassy valley.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + old GR® regional markings (yellow-red) + signposts.

From (19) to (20). Blue difficulty
Follow a gently sloping path with no major difficulties. The route then continues for a short while along the mountainside with minimal elevation changes, before descending more steeply to reach the Chalets de Pététoz.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + old GR® regional markings (yellow-red) + signposts.

From (20) to (21): Blue difficulty
A track suitable for vehicles, with no excessive gradient, is followed downhill.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (21) to (22). Blue difficulty
At the start of this section, the route continues along a rugged path with steep gradients. The rest of the route is then easier.
Signposting: Yellow arrows + signposts.

From (22) to (S/E). Green difficulty
A track suitable for vehicles is easily followed back to the original starting point.
Signposting: Yellow Arrows + signposts.

• Diomaz Waterfall: read the Wikipedia article
• Pointe de Chavannais
• Pointe de Chalune: read the Wikipedia article
• Lac de Pététoz: read the Wikipedia article