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Hiking: Thoiry the Hauts Sommets
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Description
This route offers a superb diversity of landscapes: typical Jura forests, vast mountain pastures and panoramic ridges follow one another along the way. It's a complete and demanding loop, ideal for sporty hikers.
From the Reculet and Crêt de la Neige peaks - the highest in the Jura mountains - you can enjoy a 360° view. On one side, a spectacular view of the Lake Geneva basin, Geneva, Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine chain; on the other, a panorama plunging down to the Valserine valley and the wild relief of the Haut-Jura, with the Crêt de Chalam in the background.
The route takes you through the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, and part of the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: a protected, unspoilt area to be explored with respect.
Good to know - Protected area
Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to special regulations:
Dogs are not allowed, even on a lead.
Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Date and time
- From 01/04/2025 to 30/11/2035
- From 01/04/2026 to 30/11/2036
Additional information
Contact
Phone : 04 50 28 09 16
Email : contact@paysdegex-tourisme.com
Website : https://www.paysdegex-montsjura.com
Open period
From 01/04 to 30/11 daily.
Environments
Panoramic view
In a nature reserve
Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Type of land
Ground
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
Hiking in Pays de Gex and the Haute Chaine du Jura: on sale at Pays de Gex tourist agencies: €9.
Map references :
3328OT - CRÊT DE LA NEIGE
Updated by
Office de Tourisme du Pays de Gex - 02/12/2025
www.paysdegex-montsjura.com
Report a problem
Reception complements
▶ This route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. Please respect the regulations.
The rules include the following:
Dogs are strictly forbidden, even on a lead.
Plant picking and mineral collecting are also prohibited.
The trail crosses a Quiet Zone, closed from December 15 to June 30.
Tolerance is granted for use of the GR, provided you stay strictly on the marked path. It is forbidden to leave the path.
▶ Before setting off :
Check the general and local weather forecast, and make sure there's no precipitation.
Find out about the approach route, the height of the itinerary, the time it will take to complete the climb, and any possible escapes (IGN map, GPS, topo-guide, etc.).
Evaluate possible risks by asking mountain professionals, mountain huts and gîtes.
Inform someone close to you of your objective, and contact them again in the event of any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with telephone numbers for each, vehicle(s), parking, etc.
Avoid setting off alone, and use equipment that is suitable for the activity, adjusted and in good condition: headlamp, complete first-aid kit, survival blanket, etc.
In the event of a problem, call 112 (European emergency number).
▶ The Patou or guard dog: what attitude should you adopt?
When out hiking, it's not uncommon to come across flocks of sheep or goats guarded by guard dogs known as patous. These dogs, formidable against predators such as wolves, bears and lynxes, can frighten hikers with their barking.
The patou protects flocks in total autonomy. Its main role is to deter intruders and alert the shepherd. Raised among the ewes from an early age, he learns to protect them at all times, often in groups.
▶ To avoid problems with a patou:
Identify grazing areas before setting off.
Keep your distance and go around flocks if possible.
In the event of an encounter, stay calm, turn back slowly or stop to let the dog sniff you out.
Don't try to pet or feed the animals, avoid sudden movements, don't run, and avoid taking photos.
▶ For runners:
Do not run when approaching a herd.
Take off your headphones to hear the dog's barking.
By adopting these behaviors, you'll be able to cohabit serenely with guard dogs on your hikes.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
(1) From the church square, follow the yellow markings (PR) by turning right onto Rue Brian Stresemann and continuing for about 100 metres. Then turn left onto Rue de la Vierge and continue until you reach the fourth street on the left: Rue Mollard. Follow this street to the end, then turn right onto Rue du Quart. Take the second street on the left: Rue des Fergots, and follow it to the end. You will then come to Chemin des Écoliers. Follow it straight ahead, then turn right onto Rue du Mont. A few metres further on, take Rue du Reculet on the left, then immediately right to continue.
(2) The path climbs gently into the forest, with a gradual elevation gain of 250 metres over a little more than a kilometre. It leads to the Tiocan chalet, a well-known landmark in the area.
(3) Continue right on Route du Reculet for about 800 metres. On the left, a path climbs uphill; take it. After 200 metres, keep left. The path crosses a first stream, then continues to the right to join the white path of La Croisée. Follow it to the right for about 20 metres, then turn immediately left to continue the ascent. The path crosses a resurgence before reaching a new intersection.
(4) At this intersection, turn left towards the Narderans chalet. Just before you reach it, turn right to climb the rocky walls known as the Voûtes de Narderans. The location is superb, but the climb is steep. Continue along this path for about 1.2 km until you reach the GR, near the summit of Reculet.
(5) Le Reculet, at an altitude of 1,718 metres, is a beautiful place to stop. Continue on the GR, descending on the other side towards Crêt de la Neige. The terrain becomes hilly: the path starts out wide, then a small path descends to the left, runs alongside the remains of an old hamlet, and gradually climbs again. You cross an area of mountain pines, then the path becomes steeper as you approach the summit, with views of the Crêt de la Neige canyons.
(6) Once you reach Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m), the highest point in the Jura, enjoy the panoramic view. To continue, follow the GR towards ‘Sous le Crêt’. After about 100 m, take a yellow-marked path on the right leading to Curson. It descends rapidly, winding between the rocks, and joins the Curson mountain pasture.
(7) Go around the mountain pasture to find a wide white path towards Thoiry-devant. At the reservoir, keep straight ahead and follow the contour line more or less until you reach another fork. There, turn right: 500 m further on is the Thoiry-devant chalet.
(8) Continue down the white path that runs alongside cisterns, then joins a ridge before descending through the woods. A little further on, the path reconnects with the Croisée intersection.
(9) Follow the outward route in reverse to return to the familiar intersections. A short detour allows you to reach the Tiocan chalet more quickly. From Tiocan, take the same route as on the outward journey to return to the starting point.
Animals
No. Dogs banned in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve
Data author
