(1) From the Tourist Office, turn right along the GR between the shops and the neighbouring chalet. Continue along the road called “La Maréchaude”, passing the start of the zip-line. Continue for a few hundred meters and about 400m further on take the path that climbs to the left, towards Le Grand Montrond.
(2) The path rises through the forest in a regular but steady rythm. It skirts a geological fault, crosses a small wooden bridge, and gradually emerges onto the Gélinottes ski run where a tunnel can be seen on the right. The climb continues until you reach a white path.
(3) This passes under the Gélinottes ski lift, then very quickly forks left to continue its ascent alongside the lift, before turning right into the undergrowth. It then emerges into the mountain pasture and reaches the “Vie de Chaux” crossroads.
(4) Keep to the right of the GR. The undulating path along the crest begins with an initial climb, followed by a descent to the cistern on the Crozat mountain pasture. A second ascent is necessary to reach the summit of Grand Montrond, culminating at 1596m.
(5) From this natural lookout point, continue to the right staying on the GR along the ridges. A succession of ascents and descents punctuate this section, offering superb views of the surrounding landscape, until you reach the Colomby de Gex.
(6) Here you are at the highest point of the hike, at an altitude of 1689m. The 360° view opens onto the Lake Geneva basin, the chain of the Alps, Mont Blanc and on the other side, the Jura massif unfolds its majestic ridges.
The return journey takes the same route allowing you to rediscover the landscape in a different but equally magnificent light.
This is one of the most beautiful trails in the Haute Chaîne du Jura, offering a hike mostly along the ridge lines of the mountains offering sublime views of the Alps.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Open from April to November, the itinerary starts from the “Petite Chaumière” hotel on the Col de la Faucille, climbs up through the forest on a pleasant, varied path, sometimes crossing ski pistes. Passing through the Crozat mountain pasture, be careful not to approach the dogs with their herds. Finally, at 1668m, the Colomby de Gex summit offers a magnificent panorama of the Lake Geneva basin and the Alps. Along the way, the landscape is marked by geology: glacial erosion, marine fossils…