This natural site offers grandiose landscapes in a bucolic setting!
Allow around 2 hours 20 minutes of steady ascent to reach Branveau (an open area at 1300 m alt, with views of the crests).
The trail is located in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, so please respect the specific regulations governing this area, which can be consulted via the following link
https://www.rnn-hautechainedujura.fr/reglementation/interdits-en-rnn/ Dogs not allowed, even on a leash!
From the center of the village of Echenevex, at an altitude of 575 m, (on the Pays de Gex side), a steady climb to an altitude of 1300 m takes you to the majestic site of "Branveau" and its chalet at 1330 m (private chalet; closed to the public). ... Listen and watch for chamois!
The final ascent (15 to 20 min) to the summit of Monchanais at 1446 m a.s.l. offers 360° panoramic views of the Jura crests, the Alps, Mont Blanc and the Lake Geneva plain.
In summer, heifers graze at Branveaux.
It's a challenging hike, with no technical difficulties, and offers one of the most beautiful views of the upper Jura chain.
Yellow signs (PR)
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step: From Place de la Mairie, take Rue du Stade, then Rue de la Pierre and Chemin du Pied du Mont to the fountain. At "La Pierre", at the fountain, turn right (yellow markings); the path leaves the dwellings ...to reach the edge of a field (horses). Go through the turnstile and cross the length of the field, with a beige building in the background. Below the water reservoir, take the stony path to the left and then to the right, following the path enclosed by a cable. Follow the path lined with a fence, ... go through undergrowth to reach an intersection at a place called "la carrière". Turn left and follow the main path uphill. After a flat section, at a small clearing (signposted), leave the path and turn right onto a track which climbs straight up the slope (in less than 10 minutes), joining a tarmac road at 948 m alt. Turn left for 50 m and pick up the white path leading off to the right. Continue on this wide path, climbing steadily for 2km with a bend, (signposted "Chalet de Branveau"). ...At another clearing, pass through the barbed-wire fence, and continue uphill, which becomes a little steeper. At the next junction (sign), go straight ahead along the dirt path on the edge of a valley. (or right along the path and panorama). After a short while, the path leads to the open part of Branveau. Pass the chalet and take the path to the right to reach the Col de Branveau, just above. From the pass, you have a bird's-eye view of the Creux de l'Envers forest and the slopes of the La Faucille ridge.Enjoy a well-deserved rest.Then: from the pass: a final climb via a grassy couloir (facing the Alps), takes 15-20 minutes to reach the Montachanais at 1446 m, (flattened summit) with a 360° panorama. The return is identical to the outward journey.
More information:
Before setting off:- Find out about general and local weather conditions, making sure there's no precipitation.- Find out about the approach to the route, its height, how long it will take to reach the summit and any possible escapes (IGN map, GPS, topo-guide, etc.).- Evaluate possible risks by asking mountain professionals, refuges and gîtes.- Inform someone close to you of your objective, and contact them again in the event of any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with telephone numbers for each, vehicle(s), parking, etc.- Avoid setting off alone, and use equipment that is suitable for the activity, adjusted and in good condition: headlamp, complete first-aid kit, survival blanket, etc.In the event of a problem, call 112 (European emergency number).
Itinerary
In detail
- Distance: 14.6 km
- Markup: BALISE
- Elevation gain : 866 m
- Negative elevation gain : 866 m
- Daily duration: 350 min
- Type of route: ALLER_RETOUR
- Beaconing accuracy: Follow yellow PR
- Nature of the land: Rock
- Nature of the land: Stone
- Nature of the land: Ground
- Nature of the land: Hard coating (tar, cement, flooring)
Opening
From 01/04 to 30/11.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Rates
Free access.
Facilities & services
Facilities
- Car park
- Free car park
Host language(s)
- French
