Trip around the Belvederes

Collection : TOP 25 ET SÉRIE BLEUE

TOP100D01 - AIN BOURG-EN-BRESSE AMBÉRIEU-EN-BUGEY PAYS DE GEX

TOP100D39 - JURA PAYS DE DOLE ET VAL D'AMOUR CHAMPAGNOLE LES ROUSSES PNR DU HAUT-JURA

TOP100D74 - HAUTE-SAVOIE ANNECY THONON-LES-BAINS MASSIF DU MONT BLANC CHAÎNE DES ARAVIS

202 JURA ALPES DU NORD

89026 - GRANDES TRAVERSÉES DU JURA - GTJ

Collection : DECOUVERTE DES CHEMINS

Collection : CARTES DÉPARTEMENTALES IGN

Collection : CARTES DÉPARTEMENTALES IGN

Scale : 1:150 000

5.90€

NR15 AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES RECTO/VERSO MASSIF ALPIN

Collection : CARTES RÉGIONALES IGN

Scale : 1:250 000

6.80€

NR09 BOURGOGNE FRANCHE-COMTÉ

Collection : CARTES RÉGIONALES IGN

Scale : 1:250 000

6.80€

NR14 AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES RECTO/VERSO MASSIF CENTRAL

Collection : CARTES RÉGIONALES IGN

Collection : DÉCOUVERTE DES PAYS DU MONDE IGN

Scale : 1:2 500 000

7.00€

Description

From the balconies of the Valserine to the balconies of the Semine, four stunning viewpoints are the highlights of this circuit through the Giron-Champfromier forest.

From the cemetery, at GIRON 1000 (), take Rue du Grand Golet towards Le Cretet (blue MTB waymarking no. 9). Head up the tarmac road towards Combe Marin, in a wooded environment.Reach La Croix via a muddy forest path that heads right. When you reach La Croix, which offers a beautiful view over Giron, continue straight on a tarmac road up into the forest, towards Chemin Neuf.Continue straight, head past the metal barrier and continue on the forest path for 400 m. Head up to your left (cross-country ski slope) into the forest via a muddy path towards Les Cinq Chalets, you will reach a viewpoint over Le Haut-Bugey, the southern part of the Jura massif.Branch off to the left eastwards and stay on the forest path to reach a path suitable for vehicles at Pas du Boeuf. Follow the path to your left for 250 m, and then head up to your right to reach the Achat viewpoint (viewpoint over the High Jura Chain, the Crêt de Chalam and the Les Avalanches cirque). Follow this path to the right for 450 m, branch off to the right on a forest path for 700 m and then take another forest trail to your right towards Combe de l’Auger. Make a round trip to the Belvedere of Les Avalanches to your right, heading through LES AVALANCHES (open view over the valley of the Valserine).On returning to Combe sur l’Auger, take the little grassy trail to the north through a clearing before joining up with a forest path, towards the Chalet Cottin. Continue on the forest path towards Les Abrans.Take the D 48a to your left for 800 m until you reach Le Bleu. Branch off to the right on a forest path and then continue on the muddy trail along a cliff (be careful!). Head past Les Ordières to reach the junction with La Roche Fauconnière.The Belvedere of La Roche Fauconnière and its view over Les Roches d’Orvaz can be accessed in a round trip by ascending to the right.When you return, take the forest path and then the forest road to Combe Marin. Return to your departure point the way you came.

Technical Information

Mountainbiking

Difficulty

Very easy

Duration

Dist.

15 km

Altimetric profile

Starting point

Lat : 46.2258584Lng : 5.774058

Points of interest

View over the village of Giron

The municipality of Giron was created in 1790, however its borders were only set much later in 1815. Before, the municipality was divided into two separate entities: “Giron-devant” which belonged to Champfromier, and “Giron-derrière” belonging to Échallon. The neo-classical style church was built in 1840 in Giron-Devant, in the most recent area of the village. Restored in 1902, it is also a symbol of the municipality’s religious and administrative. (PNRHJ - Collection patrimoine, “Heritage collection”)

Belvedere of l’Achat

From the dry grasslands of the belvedere of l’Achat, cloistered by the Champfromier forest, the landscape opens onto the cirque of les Avalanches and its high limestone cliffs. You are currently on the hunting grounds used by many birds of prey (peregrine falcon, common buzzard, etc.), which you will have no difficulty spotting with a bit of patience.

Belvedere of Les Avalanches

In front of you is the valley of the Valserine, a river whose source is located further north at the foot of the Dôle. Up to Chézery-Forens, the valley is bordered by the Jura mountains, and then opens onto the Haut-Bugey. There, the milder climate suits the orchards and cereal fields and industry has also developed along the waterway.

The western capercaillie

The Champfromier-Giron forest is home to one of the High-Jura’s most iconic birds: the western capercaillie. A sign of the diversity of high forests, this bird - also known as the wood grouse - is omnipresent here. The male favours old forests, while the female, who moves around more, prefers to spend her winters in bushy areas and raise her young in clearings. This bird is particularly sensitive to disturbances in the winter and spring. There isn’t much chance of seeing one, but if you do, be sure to make the most of this extraordinary moment and stay quiet and on the waymarked paths.

Belvedere of La Roche Fauconnière

From the Roche Fauconnière you will be able to see over the valley of the Semine, whose river has dug out a deep relief over millions of years. An interpretive signpost will provide you with more information on the creation and development of this dizzying landscape.