(1) From Place de la Mairie, follow the yellow signs. With the Haute Chaîne du Jura in front of you, turn right onto the rue François Estier, then first left onto the rue du Stade. Continue up this street onto the Rue de la Pierre, then take the Chemin du Pied du Mont. At the top of the village you will see a fountain and an information panel.
(2) Turn right onto the white path and start climbing towards La Carrière. The path gradually climbs above a housing estate on the chemin du Réservoir. Turn left twice to bypass the reservoir. The white path becomes a footpath, continue straight ahead and enter the forest.
(3) At the intersection, turn left. The path widens out again, follow it for 400m with two hairpin bends, then find a trail. It contours the mountain in an undulating fashion before forking right for a short but steady climb. Cross the forest road, turn left and then immediately right onto a white track. You will reach the next intersection after just over 1km.
(4) At Jet de la Reine (altitude 1090 m) turn left still on the white track. This runs along the contour line for several hundred metres, then forks right to climb gradually to the Branveau mountain pasture.
(5) At the chalet, go around it and keep to the right to get to the other side. The path overlooks the chalet, continue on this path to the pass.
(6) At the Col de Branveau, enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding rock circus and the ridges of the Monts Jura. The path leading to the highest point of the hike continues along the ridge line to the right. Continue for around 500m to reach Montchanais (1,446 m altitude).
Return by the same route.
A demanding but accessible hike in the heart of the Haute Chaîne du Jura for lovers of wide open spaces.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
From the village of Echenevex, the path leads through meadows and woods, before beginning the ascent to the Col de Branveau. Here you can often spot chamois and cows grazing on alpine pastures, who on fine days enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the Jura ridges. The climb continues to the summit of Mont Chanais at 1446m where a 360° view rewards walkers' efforts. From here, you can contemplate Mont-Blanc, the Alps and the valley below, before returning down to the heart of the Haute Chaîne du Jura.