Faulty beaconing, safety incidents, conflicts of use, illegal dumping? Locate and share the problem you have encountered on the national alert system via the SURICATE app or the https://sentinelles.sportsdenature.fr/ website.
(1) From Place Gambetta, walk along the town hall then take Rue de l'Horloge. Join the rue du Commerce, cross it and take the small passageway leading behind the buildings to the passage de l'Abondance. Turn right onto rue Léone de Joinville.
(2) Go up to the top of the street and turn left onto chemin des Galas. Continue to the end of the road to reach a footpath leading to the Route du Piémont. Follow this road to the left, then a few dozen metres further on, take the footpath rising to the right. It climbs up to reach the end of the Chanais forest road.
(3) Take the path furthest to the right to continue climbing. This path crosses the forest road twice before joining a white track that leads to the Branveau chalet. This runs along the contour line for several hundred metres, then forks right and gradually climbs up to the mountain pasture.
(4) When you reach the chalet, go around it and keep to the left to follow the path towards Colomby de Gex. The first few metres run alongside the cirque de Branveau, then the path switches to the other side to continue its ascent to the highest point of the hike.(5) At the top of Colomby de Gex, enjoy the view, then join the GR (red and white markings) towards Grand Montrond. Follow this undulating ridge to the Crozat mountain pasture, then reach the Vie de Chaux crossroads.
(6) Leave the GR at this junction and head for Le Pailly on the right.
(7) Turn right again to reach the Quible mountain pasture, then continue as far as Place Menoud.
(8) Take the white path down to Les Sébines, then follow the Creux de l’Envers path. This brings you back to Gex via the Chemin des Combes and Rue Charles Harent, to complete this beautiful loop.
Itinerary details
Description
Even today, this route can be taken as far as Colomby de Gex (1,682 m), following the ridges of the Haute Chaîne. The route passes through a changing forest, from deciduous to coniferous, before reaching the mountain pastures, then descending peacefully along the Journans to the streets of Gex.
The route takes you through the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, and part of the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: a protected, unspoilt area to be explored with respect.
Good to know – Protected area
Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to special regulations:
Dogs are not allowed, even on a lead.
Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.