Jura – Mountains & Comté

Program

Day 1: Check-in at the inn/hotel in La Pesse

Check-in begins at 5:00 p.m. You will be provided with a map holder containing 1:²⁵,^000-scale IGN maps with the route highlighted.

Day 2: Stage leading to the hamlet of Manon

A nice warm-up hike that passes by Lac de l’Embouteilleux and then winds through a series of narrow valleys. After passing through the village of Les Moussières (where you can tour the dairy), you’ll reach the Combe de Laisia and the farm of the same name, which continues to produce cheese on-site (tours available). Next comes the magnificent high-altitude valley of Les Platières, the first (but not the last) viewpoint overlooking the Jura Mountains.
Overnight stay at a **hotel**
Elevation gain: +545 m, elevation loss: -560 m Distance: 21 km Estimated time: 5 hours 45 minutes

Day 3: A stage leading to the border village of La Cure.

You’ll soon reach the village of Lajoux (home to the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park Visitor Center) and then set out to cross the mystical Forêt du Massacre. La Combe à la Chèvre is undoubtedly one of the most representative places in the Hautes Combes that you’ve explored over the past two days. We end the day at the Bélvedère des Dappes, with its breathtaking view of the summit of La Dole, before making our way back down at a leisurely pace to our lodging for the night.
Overnight stay at a **hotel**
Elevation gain: +465 m, elevation loss: -470 m Distance: 19 km Duration: 5 hours

Day 4: A stage leading to Pile Dessus and the foothills of La Dole.

Here, you’ll take a little trip to visit our Swiss neighbors! The route climbs rapidly up the Combe des Copettes in Switzerland to reach the summit of Le Noirmont (1,567 m), then heads to one of the must-see sites in the Jura Mountains: Le Creux du Croue! The place is simply magical… We then head to the narrow Arxière valley before crossing over to the Col de la Givrine and the foothills of La Dole
Overnight stay at a hotel-club
Elevation gain: +690 m, elevation loss: -600 m; Distance: 16.5 km; Duration: 5 hours

Day 5: Loop hike to the summit of La Dôle.

A stunning hike through varied terrain with panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range! The route crosses back into Switzerland after a few minutes and reaches the hills above the village of St-Cergue. This is followed by a magnificent climb to the Col de Portes via the Combe de la Vuarne. You can then head back down to La Pile or climb to the summit of La Dôle (highly recommended, of course!). On the way back, you can enjoy the hotel-club’s pool!
Overnight stay at the hotel-club
Elevation gain: +560 m, elevation loss: -560 m Distance: 12 km Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
La Dôle Variant
Elevation gain: +130 m, -130 m Distance: 2 km Duration: +0:45

Day 6: A stage leading to the resort village of Lelex.

A short 15-minute transfer to the Col de la Faucille. The route follows the GR9 “Balcon du Léman” trail for almost the entire stage. A rugged ridge-top trail that offers spectacular views of the Mont Blanc range on a clear day. The peaks line up: Mont Rond (1,596 m), Colomby de Gex (1,688 m). At the Loge mountain hut (1,430 m), you can either head back down to the village of Lélex or continue your adventure by climbing the Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m). The contrast is striking!
Overnight stay at a **hotel**
Elevation gain: +595 m, elevation loss: -1,005 m Distance: 15.5 km Duration: 5 hours
Crêt de la Neige Route (available only starting July¹ )
Elevation gain: +330 m, elevation loss: -230 m Distance: +6 km Duration: +2 h

Day 7: Stage leading to the village of La Pesse

On this final day of hiking, after crossing the Valserine River via the Fruitière Bridge, we dive right into the tough part with a steep climb from the valley to the summit of Crêt au Merle. Next is the historic site of La Borne au Lion, a stronghold of the Haut-Jura Resistance (be sure to take the time to explore it…), From La Borne, the (optional) climb up the Crêt de Chalam begins—our little local Matterhorn—from whose summit you’ll have a view of the entire Jura mountain range you hiked through the day before, and, with a little luck, the Alps in the background. To wrap up the hike, the GR “Sentiers des Bornes” trail gently descends to the village of La Pesse
Elevation gain: +775 m, elevation loss: -490 m Distance: 13.5 km Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Cret de Chalam Route (recommended)
Elevation gain: +235 m, elevation loss: -235 m Distance: +4.5 km Duration: +1 hr 30 min

End of your stay upon your return to La Pesse