(1) Start: park at the Menthières station parking lot. Head left, then, at La Gentiane restaurant, climb up to the right to reach the top of Menthières.
(2) From this point, cross the road and take the path that passes under the undergrowth. It veers to the right and crosses again a hundred meters further on. The route continues along a few trees and joins a parking lot.
(3) At the Col de Menthières, take the path to the right of the car park and go around the farm to follow the bottom of the valley to a place called La Grange Velue.
(4) Follow the route into the forest and, at the first intersection, turn right towards “La Pelaz / La Poutouille,” still following the yellow PR markings. The trail mainly crosses through woods.
(5) At the track, take the hairpin bend to the left, then negotiate a hairpin bend to the right. Continue to a new intersection at the entrance to the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve.
(6) Turn left and follow the path towards La Pelaz / La Poutouille. The marked trail leads to the Combe de la Pelaz. Climb up to the right on a steep trail to reach a viewpoint overlooking the Grand Crêt d’Eau and the Retord plateau. The path alternates between forest, undergrowth, and valleys.
(7) Arrive at the unguarded Poutouille refuge, an ideal place to take a break in a wild and isolated setting.
Return via the same route to the parking lot.
Itinerary details
Description
Along the way, there are many viewpoints: the Grand Crêt d’Eau dominates the landscape at the start, then gradually magnificent panoramas of Mont Blanc, the Alps, the Lake Geneva basin and nearby Geneva are revealed.
This peaceful route, far from the hustle and bustle, offers a beautiful immersion in the open landscapes of the Jura ridges.
Part of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, a protected area where nature rules: stay on the marked trails and follow the regulations.
Please note: from December 15 to June 30, the trail crosses a wildlife quiet zone. Use of the trail is tolerated only on condition that you stay strictly on the marked route and do not stray from it.