Many of us are accompanied by our four-legged companions in the Pays de Gex and its Monts Jura resort.
Despite this, it’s not always easy to find walks where dogs are allowed. The 11,000 hectares of the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve (or RNNHCJ) forbid the presence of dogs, even when kept on a lead. Here are a few ideas for walks and hikes in the Pays de Gex so that you and your dog can enjoy a peaceful stroll. Let’s get started!
A family walk with your dog
The Divonne-les-Bains lake is ideal for a walk with your dog, but also for the whole family. It’s not that common for pushchairs to have access to the lake!
You can walk, rollerblade or cycle around the lake (3.3 km), giving you plenty of variety!
On this walk with your dog, you can admire the breathtaking panorama of the Haute Chaîne du Jura and Mont Blanc.
You can even follow the educational trail: the path of the planets. The solar system is represented by respecting, on an infinitesimal scale, the size of the planets and the distance between them. In other words, for every metre you move forward, you travel 10 million km! To find out more about this route, visit the Divonne-les-Bains tourist office, where you can take a look at the explanatory leaflet.
An exotic walk
Fancy a trip? We’ve got just the place for you: the Marais des Bidonnes in Divonne-les-Bains. This little town has lots of lovely walks you can take with your dog!
Straddling the Franco-Swiss border, the Marais des Bidonnes is an ideal trail for families looking for a nature outing, or to do with your dog.
For 1? hours, take a stroll along a specially-designed trail and discover all the treasures of this 58-hectare marsh, which was designated a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) in 2015. The marsh is home to numerous plant and animal species, including 160 varieties of plant and three rare butterflies. You may also come across some aurochs cows, introduced to the site to combat overgrowth and prevent natural reforestation.
Cross the wooden pontoons and listen to the rush of the water – the journey has begun. You’ll think you’ve landed in Louisiana! A refreshing and original walk to enjoy with the whole family and your faithful companion, of course.
An enchanted walk
For a change of scenery, let’s head for the sources of the Allondon. This 22km-long Franco-Swiss watercourse crosses a large part of the Jura, and the Sources de l’Allondon walk is located near Echevenex, on the Allondon bridge.
This site is particularly pleasant in autumn and spring. What makes it so? The springs are abundant when the snow melts in March, or after a heavy storm, with a flow of up to 7 metres per second. The sound of the water makes the place feel more rejuvenating and soothing, not to mention the beauty of the scenery! In spring, you’ll be able to admire flowers of all colours, while autumn adorns the site with exceptional warm colours.
During this walk with your dog in the Pays de Gex, you’ll share a moment of communion with nature and your four-legged friend.
A walk with friends
We’re offering a programme you won’t be able to refuse: a drink, a crêpe and a walk with your dog in a beautiful setting against the backdrop of the Jura mountains. Are you up for it?
See you in the Parc du Château de Prévessin-Moëns.
Covering an area of almost 19 hectares, the park features many remarkable trees, some of which are over 400 years old. A number of features have been added over the years, including a fitness trail, children’s play areas and even… a caniparc!
Your dog will be able to romp happily around 400m2 in the company of his other four-legged friends. In the meantime, you can relax, read a book or chat with your friends.
There’s something for everyone!
After your outing, you can take a stroll around the small village of Prévessin-Moëns before heading home. A great day out for you and your faithful companion!
A walk with your dog in the mountains!
This walk is for those who need to breathe in the mountain air. To make the most of it, head for the Pertes de la Valserine trail. Here you can enjoy an accessible walk along the banks of the Valserine with your four-legged friend. On this walk with your dog, you can admire several waterfalls and the surrounding countryside, and even cool off in the river if the weather permits.
After your walk, head off to meet some of the local craftsmen and bring back some lovely local souvenirs. The Ferrone soap factory, the Abbaye cheese factory and the Trabbia Vuillermoz jewellers are waiting to welcome you and your faithful companion!
For more ideas, take a look at our Komoot collection of walks for your dog!
Rules to follow when walking your dog in Pays de Gex
To ensure that your stay in Pays de Gex with your dog goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to follow a few simple rules. Here are a few tips to follow:
- Keep your dog on a lead, even if it’s adorable and friendly, because you don’t know the other dogs.
- Pick up the droppings of our beloved animals out of respect for all those who come after us.
- Take care of your small dog, as ticks are very common in France.
Haute-chaîne du jura national nature reserve
Unfortunately, many walks and hiking routes are not accessible to our beloved companions. To make sure you and your dog don’t make any mistakes, take a look at the map of the RNN and its boundaries.
Having said all that, all we can say is enjoy the ride!
Thematics
