Whether you’re a good walker or a novice, the Crêt de la Neige hike offers several options for enjoying exceptional views over the whole of the Lake Geneva basin and the Alps.
So grab your sticks, get set, walk!
The Crêt de la Neige, a summit rich in biodiversity
The Crêt de la Neige peaks at 1720 m. It lies between the communes of Lélex and Thoiry, overlooking the Pays de Gex and Lake Geneva on one side and the Valserine valley and the entire Jura massif on the other. It is located in the Haute Chaîne du Jura nature reserve, and from up there you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Alps and Mont Blanc.
Grouse play hide-and-seek with lynx and other predators… while the chamois go climbing! It has to be said that they are spoilt for choice with all these cavities created by erosion and time. The massive numbers of wind-sculpted hooked pines add a unique atmosphere to the massif.
If you’re lucky enough to come in summer, you’ll be able to see a multitude of flowers, each more colourful than the last, such as the bright yellow Trolle d’Europe and the famous and emblematic gentian.
How do I get up to Crêt de la Neige?
The Crêt de la Neige is one of the stages of the famous GR 9©Balcon du Léman, and can be reached by everyone, in several different ways. You can reach it in both summer and winter (on snowshoes). Whether you’re looking for a more challenging day hike, or just a short stroll, there are many ways to reach the summit.
The easy option
Do you like walking, but can’t see yourself doing it all day? Would you like to enjoy a fun hike at Crêt de la Neige and still have time in the afternoon to do something else? No problem! You can reach the highest summit in the Jura in just 1 hour 30 minutes and less than 300 metres of ascent with the Catheline cable car or 2 hours 30 minutes with the Fierney cable car (from Crozet).
For both options, the one-way fare is €9, and €6 for children with a free return. Children under 5 get a free return ticket.
The difficult option
You’re no stranger to walking. And it’s certainly not a 1720m summit that’s going to scare you! If you’re an experienced sportsman, the 15km Crêt de la Neige hike from Lélex is a good day’s walk, with over 900m of ascent. On the first part, you follow the GR®9, then the GR® Balcons du Léman.
There is also a multi-day option, where you cross the entire Haute Chaîne du Jura and its highest points. The 400km Grande Traversée du Jura can be done in 15 days if you want to cover the whole route. Otherwise, you can choose to do just a small part of it. In 4 days, for example, you can walk from the summit of the Crêt de la Neige to Culoz via the Plateau du Retord and the Grand Colombier.
Continue to Le Reculet from the Crêt de la Neige
Once you’ve climbed to Crêt de la Neige, you can continue on to the summit of Le Reculet, perched at 1718m. The path linking the two summits is well signposted, so you’ll have no trouble covering the 2km between them. From here, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Geneva, Lake Geneva, the Alps and even the Auvergne volcanoes, depending on the day’s visibility!
When should you plan your hike at Crêt de la Neige?
You can hike at Crêt de la Neige in both summer and winter. In summer, remember to take plenty of water to keep you hydrated en route and avoid overheating, and put on good walking boots.
In winter, you can hike to Crêt de la Neige from Lélex on snowshoes. The snow-covered paths reveal the mountain in a new, more peaceful and serene light.
Don’t forget your binoculars so you can observe the flora and fauna up close!
Need more information about hiking?
The possibilities are almost endless. Don’t hesitate to visit one of the Tourist Office information desks, where one of our holiday advisors will be delighted to help you.
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