(1) From Place Perdtemps in Gex, take Avenue Perdtemps towards the RN5. Cross the road, then join Chemin des Combes, which rises gently above the town.
(2)At the first intersection, continue straight ahead. The climb continues through meadows and woods to the last houses on the edge of town.
(3)At the end of the road, it becomes a dirt track at a place called “Le Moulin”. Follow this path to the next fork in the road.
(4) Turn left towards “Hauts de Galas”. The path rises gently, skirting the border of the Nature Reserve. The undergrowth gradually becomes more sparse.
(5) The path briefly leaves the nature reserve to join a forest road. Follow this track, which meanders quietly before re-entering the Reserve, and reaching a forest parking lot, a discreet landmark.
(6) Continue along the forest road around the side of the mountain. It soon leads to the Creux de l’Envers, a peaceful green setting.
(7) Keep to the right, cross the Journan stream, then follow the path as it descends slightly before ascending over rocky steps. The atmosphere becomes wilder.
(8) At Les Séblines, continue along the forest road, then follow the signs for Portes Sarrazines, a remarkable geological formation and natural gateway to the Jura landscape.
(9) Just before you reach it, turn right to cross a footbridge over the Journans river. Enjoy the mysterious, majestic site of Portes Sarrazines, nestled in the heart of the forest.
(10) Return by the same route: cross the footbridge again, then continue straight on past it to join the Chemin des Combes, which descends gently towards Gex and Place Perdtemps, bringing the hike to a close.
Partly following the Journans river, the trail passes through the canyon of the mysterious Portes Sarrazines. is in an unspoilt environment, with its varied landscapes.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
This pleasant hike, accessible from April to November, follows the waters of the Journans. The “Au fil du bois” discovery trail highlights human activities linked to the forest and water. Finally, the Portes Sarrazines (Saracen Gates), framing a gorge formed by the river, take their name from a local legend: during the middle ages the inhabitants of Gex took refuge behind these stone gates during the Saracen invasions. The trail offers a diversity of landscapes, alternating between forest paths, roads and steep pathways. Access is restricted, and dogs are forbidden within the Reserve.