The disappearance of the Valserine trail

History & heritage

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls

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From the heart of Bellegarde, this hike leads to the bowels of the Valserine, an affluent of the Rhône.

In these wild gorges, men had the tenacity to build constructions to exploit the driving force of the water. At its peak, where the waters of the Valserine disappear into the canyon, the Pont des Oulles bridge offers a view of a very strange geological phenomenon.

1 point of interest

Pavillon PLM - Illustration de Gregdizer
History & Heritage
12- PLM pavilion
In the very hierarchical and social world of the Compagnie de chemin de fer PLM, some railway workers and their families were housed based on their responsibilities and qualifications within the Compagnie. These individual houses were usually built according to standard blueprints, as were the watch houses and some technical buildings (PNRHJ - Un tour en ville, “A tour of the town”).

Description

This trail includes several walkways, allowing to either walk along or cross the river, as well as a picnic area. In less than 2 hrs - there and back -, equipped with the fold-out provided by the Tourist Office, you will discover no less than half a dozen curiosities and remnants, both natural and man-made, attesting to the town's industrial culture:

A hydroelectric plant and an old biscuit factory
A customs guardhouse
A telemechanic pillar
The tram bridge
The Métral dam
The Pont des Oules bridge

Departure : Railway viaduct, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine
Arrival : Railway viaduct, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine
Towns crossed : Valserhone

Forecast

Recommandations

Closed in the winter, this trail can be taken from 20 May to 30 November.

When following the Valserine into its gorges, it is strongly recommended that you remain on the waymarked path and its walkways. Beware, the large stone slabs can be slippery in some areas. Wear appropriate footwear!

Wild flowers are beautiful, they may be rare and protected and often wilt quickly. Do not pick them! They will delight the next hikers.

Information desks

Tourist information centre - Terre Valserine

71 rue de la République, 01200 Valserhône

https://www.terrevalserhone-tourisme.fr +33 (0)4 50 48 48 68

Transport

TGV station of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. To visit and get about in the High-Jura, visit www.reshaut-jura.fr, the eco-mobility portal listing all means of transport within the Park.