This GR® de Pays visits the Retord plateau, then takes you to the highest commune in the Ain department: Giron. Then follow the crest of the Haute Chaine jurassienne, a balcony overlooking Lake Geneva, before finishing where it all began: at Valserhône.
Itinerary details
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The route presents no technical difficulties. The main difficulty lies in the length of the stages.
Description
Day 1: Bellegarde station to Ferme de Retord – 4hrs 40mins walk and 900m ascent.
Day 2: Ferme de Retord to Giron – 7h walk and 700m downhill then 500m uphill.
Day 3: Giron to Lélex village – 5h walk and 300m ascent
OR from Giron to Lélex refuge de la loge – 6h45 walk and 850m ascent
Day 4: Lélex village to Menthières – 9h15 walk – 800m ascent
OR from Lélex refuge de la loge to Menthières – 7h30 walk – 250m ascent.
Day 5: Menthières to Bellegarde – 4h25 – 540m ascent and 1200m descent.
Day 2: Ferme de Retord to Giron – 7h walk and 700m downhill then 500m uphill.
Day 3: Giron to Lélex village – 5h walk and 300m ascent
OR from Giron to Lélex refuge de la loge – 6h45 walk and 850m ascent
Day 4: Lélex village to Menthières – 9h15 walk – 800m ascent
OR from Lélex refuge de la loge to Menthières – 7h30 walk – 250m ascent.
Day 5: Menthières to Bellegarde – 4h25 – 540m ascent and 1200m descent.