The Giant’s cauldrons

History & heritage

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls

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From giant’s cauldrons to the charming hamlet of Marnod, this shaded walk will lead you to the heart of the Semine valley enriched by its hydraulic heritage which has now been restored.

At the heart of the folded Jura, water and limestone play a tricky game. Infiltration, dissolution, and subterranean circulation have created a series of surprising phenomena, waiting to be discovered during this hike.

5 points of interest

Scierie Thevenin - PNRHJ / Eliette Karche
History & Heritage
Thévenin sawmill
At the foot of Saint-Germain-de-Joux, the Combet river rushes into one last waterfall before converging with the Semine. During the early 1900s, the Thévenin sawmill decided to upsize to fully benefit from this high flow rate. At the time, it had a “giant” 7.5-meter-high water wheel which would run day and night, to match the rhythm of arrivals and orders. Housed just downstream from the sawmill, the sawyers would work hard around the clock. In 1859, a diamond factory set up in this restricted perimeter - which was highly sought after in the first part of the 19th century due to its hydropower installations - just downstream from the sawmill and the Romain bridge.
Marmites de Géant - PNRHJ / Nina Verjus
Geology
The Giant’s kettles
In Saint-Germain-de-Joux, the erosion caused by the Semine and its tributary, the Combet, creates huge holes called potholes or “kettles”. Measuring two to three metres deep, they are linked together by a few successive waterfalls, where the famous brown trout can be found. Keep your eyes peeled, you may also come across the yellow-bellied toad, a rare species of toad.
Sonneur à ventre jaune - PNRHJ / Julien Barlet
Fauna
The yellow-bellied toad
This small toad with a grey, brown or olive-coloured back has a bright yellow underbelly and throat, which serves to warn any nearby predators of its toxicity. Its skin gives off venom that can cause unpleasant burns. If you look closely at the picture, you will notice its heart-shaped eyes! Is your prince charming a yellow-bellied toad?
Chamois - PNRHJ / Léo Poudré
Fauna
The Chamois
The Chamois has an entirely unique look, which it owes to its two black, poker-straight horns with hook-like ends. Both males and females have horns, that they keep for life and grow every year - unlike stags and deer who lose their antlers. The colour of their coat varies according to the season, but all chamois have a dark band along their back. The top front part of their head and their cheeks are white and are divided by a black band that runs from their ears to their muzzle.
Les Alpes depuis roche à l'Aigle - G.PROST
Viewpoint
Viewpoint from the Roche à l’Aigle
The rocky promontory of the Roche à l’Aigle overlooks the village of Saint-Germain-de-Joux and the valley of the Semine river. It also offers a wide and in-depth view from the south-east of the Alpine massif around Annecy to Plagne in the north, a village known for the marks left behind by the dinosaurs tens of millions of years ago.

Description

From SAINT-GERMAIN-DE-JOUX, head down the village (yellow waymarking) towards Bellegard and then follow “rue de la Gare” for 50m. Branch off to the left and head down a trail that opens onto the Romain bridge. Head up the road opposite you for 30 m.

Take a descent to the left to cross the Semine at the GIANT’S CAULDRONS. The trail heads uphill to the right (boxwood, fir trees) until it comes to the hamlet of les Arcis. Follow the road to the right for around 400 m and then take the forest track to your left. At the start of a first bend, continue on a trail that ascends, under cover, up to the Sceen of the Beloz rock (viewpoint over the valley and the railway bridge on the Tacon). Reach a high point and then head back down towards a wider forest path.

The path ascends to the left and, after a few bends through the Beloz woods, opens out onto a road (power line) at the Sur le Ger viewpoint. Follow this road to the left (to the east, the Grand-Crêt d’Eau, to the south, the Alps) until you reach Combe Michel, in a bend.

The good path continues due west to reach the Petit Marnod (farm) and then heads up to the left through the clearing. Continue on a forest path, and then take a trail that heads down the Semine’s hillside. The stony path leads to the la Roche à l’Aigle viewpoint. Continue and arrive at a fork, where you will take the trail on the left towards Marnod.

At the entrance to the hamlet (cistern, farms staggered along the slope, low walls, fountains, bread oven), head down to your left (white and red waymarking), past Le Mollard, on a grassy path that zigzags and turns stony, before arriving at Longefand. Head 200 m down the road to your left. Turn right to find your way back to the D 33. Return to the village by heading left.

Departure : Saint-Germain-de-Joux
Arrival : Saint-Germain-de-Joux
Towns crossed : Saint-Germain-De-Joux

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Be careful well crossing the scree after les Arcis.

This trail passes through pastures with livestock and forest paths. To respect the owners and farmers granting you passage, and for the security of livestock and wild fauna, we ask that you remain on the waymarked paths. Use the adapted passageways to get across fencing and be sure to close gateways behind you.

Please keep your dog on a lead if you have one.

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

In case of forest works (felling, skidding, etc.), for your safety, know when to stop and turn around.