Itinerary details
Description
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.
Your itinerary
Step 1: La Pièce
From the church square, follow the yellow markings (PR) by turning right onto Rue Brian Stresemann and continuing for about 100 metres. Then turn left onto Rue de la Vierge and continue until you reach the fourth street on the left: Rue Mollard. Follow this street to the end, then turn right onto Rue du Quart. Take the second street on the left: Rue des Fergots, and follow it to the end. You will then come to Chemin des Écoliers. Follow it straight ahead, then turn right onto Rue du Mont. A few metres further on, take Rue du Reculet on the left, then immediately right to continue.
Step 2: En Molie
The path climbs gently into the forest, with a gradual elevation gain of 250 metres over a little more than a kilometre. It leads to the Tiocan chalet, a well-known landmark in the area.
Step 3: Le Tiocan
Continue right on Route du Reculet for about 800 metres. On the left, a path climbs uphill; take it. After 200 metres, keep left. The path crosses a first stream, then continues to the right to join the white path of La Croisée. Follow it to the right for about 20 metres, then turn immediately left to continue the ascent. The path crosses a resurgence before reaching a new intersection.
Step 4: La Croisée
At this intersection, turn left towards the Narderans chalet. Just before you reach it, turn right to climb the rocky walls known as the Voûtes de Narderans. The location is superb, but the climb is steep. Continue along this path for about 1.2 km until you reach the GR, near the summit of Reculet.
Step 5: Le Reculet
Le Reculet, at an altitude of 1,718 metres, is a beautiful place to stop. Continue on the GR, descending on the other side towards Crêt de la Neige. The terrain becomes hilly: the path starts out wide, then a small path descends to the left, runs alongside the remains of an old hamlet, and gradually climbs again. You cross an area of mountain pines, then the path becomes steeper as you approach the summit, with views of the Crêt de la Neige canyons.
Step 6: Crêt de La Neige
Once you reach Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m), the highest point in the Jura, enjoy the panoramic view. To continue, follow the GR towards ‘Sous le Crêt’. After about 100 m, take a yellow-marked path on the right leading to Curson. It descends rapidly, winding between the rocks, and joins the Curson mountain pasture.
Step 7: Alpage de Curson
Go around the mountain pasture to find a wide white path towards Thoiry-devant. At the reservoir, keep straight ahead and follow the contour line more or less until you reach another fork. There, turn right: 500 m further on is the Thoiry-devant chalet.
Step 8: Thoiry Devant
Continue down the white path that runs alongside cisterns, then joins a ridge before descending through the woods. A little further on, the path reconnects with the Croisée intersection.
Step 9: La Croisée
Follow the outward route in reverse to return to the familiar intersections. A short detour allows you to reach the Tiocan chalet more quickly. From Tiocan, take the same route as on the outward journey to return to the starting point.