A trip around the Belvederes

Geology

Landscapes

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Between the Valserine and the Semine, the Giron-Champfromier forest is made-up of a vast wooded and shaped plateau.

Shaded by the high forest’s spruces, you will come across limestone ledges and viewpoints to be discovered and offering areas of reflection, starting with Les Avalanches and ending with La Roche Fauconnière.

5 points of interest

Belvédère des Achats - PNRHJ - F. Jeanparis
Viewpoint
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.
Belvédère des Avalanches - PNRHJ - F. Jeanparis
Viewpoint
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.
Grand tétras - PNRHJ / Léo Poudré
Fauna
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.
Belvédère de la Roche Fauconnière - PNRHJ - F. Jeanparis
Viewpoint
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.
Village de Giron - PNRHJ - F. Jeanparis
History & Heritage
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”)

Description

From the cemetery, Giron 1000, Toilette Abri Point , follow the D 48a (yellow and red waymarking) towards La Pesse for 300 m and head up the path to your left.

In front of the gîte, cross the road, and when you come to Combe à l’Abrans, head up the path opposite you into the forest (yellow waymarking). Take the trail to your left, that joins up with a forest path, and continue for 300 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).

Continue on the grassy path for 250 m and take the trail to your right, ascending up into the forest and leading to a forest path. Follow this path to the right for 200 m and take another 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 and reaching the Chalet Cottin. Continue on the forest path towards Les Abrans.

Take the D 48a to your left for 800 m (yellow and red waymarking) 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. Take the path to your left until you reach La Croix. Cross the road and follow a parallel path which returns to Combe à l’Abrans. Head back down to the village of Giron to your right.

Departure : At the Relais nordique
Arrival : At the Relais nordique
Towns crossed : Giron and Champfromier

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Western capercaillie

Impacted practices:: , Land-based

Sensitivity periods:: JanFebMarAprMayJunDec

Contact:: Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura
29 Le Village
39310 Lajoux
03 84 34 12 30
www.parc-haut-jura.fr

Find out more

Recommandations

Be careful to remain on the paths when approaching the belvederes, particularly between Le Bleu and La Roche Fauconnière.

This circuit uses paths through the Giron-Champfromier forest, which is a remarkable high forest known for its biodiversity. To respect owners and farmers, and for the security of wild fauna, we ask that you remain on the waymarked paths during the spring, until 30 June.

Remember to close barriers behind you where there are no chicanes or MTB paths.

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

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