GR® 9 from Mijoux to Culoz

Name: Course de Cuvéry FFPTC
Start: 2025-01-18
End: 2025-01-19
Location: Course de Cuvéry FFPTC

Mijoux

©jthevenard

Description

The GR® 9 arrives in the Ain département at Mijoux and follows the Monts-Jura ridge, passing Crêt de la Neige, the highest point in the Jura massif. It descends to Bellegarde before visiting the Retord plateau and crossing the Grand-Colombier. It then reaches Culoz and the Rhône valley, before leaving the Ain for Savoie and continuing southwards.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Step-by-step instructions: From Mijoux to Culoz via the GR9 :

Day 1: Mijoux -> Refuge de la Loge, approx. 6h.
You follow the trail through the National Reserve.
Distance: 13.8 km
Difference in altitude:D+899 m/ D-451 m.
Itinerary: Follow the GR (red and white) through the village towards La Faucille, then Grand Mont Rond, Colomby de Gex, Col de Crozet, Refuge de la Loge.

Day 2: Refuge de la Loge -> Refuge du Gralet. Approx. 4 hrs.
You follow the trail through the National Reserve.
Distance: 11.2 km
Difference in altitude: 435 D+ / 435 D-
Itinerary: from the refuge de la Loge, follow the signs for “sous le crêt” for a good hour and a half to reach the highest point in the Jura massif: Crêt de la Neige 1720m. This beautiful aerial trail then leads to the summit of Le Reculet (1719m) and briefly over various crests. For the more adventurous (weather permitting), there is an alternative route. A path leads to the Grotte Marie du Jura. The path then goes deeper into the undergrowth, before arriving at the Refuge du Gralet.

Day 3: Refuge du Gralet -> Lancrans. Approx. 6 hrs.
Follow the trail through the National Reserve.
Distance: 17.8 km
Difference in altitude: 462D+/1419 D-
Itinerary: From Le Gralet on the GR (red and white) head for La Poutouille, La Pelaz, La Corne, Chalet du Sac, Pierre à Fromage, Crêt de la Goutte, Sorga d'en Haut, Métral, and Lancran.

Day 4: Lancrans -> Les Bergonnes
Distance: 22.15 km
Difference in altitude: 1099 D+ / 379 D-
Itinerary: From Lancrans, follow the GR downhill towards les pertes de la Valserine, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, Gare de Bellegarde, Rue Lafayette, Mussel, Ochiaz, Catray, Pra devant, la Charnay, le Tumet, Crêt du Nu and Croix des Terments. (A short detour to Les Bergonnes for the night).

Day 5: Les Bergonnes -> Chalet D'Arvière. Approx. 4h30
Distance: 15.3 km
Difference in altitude: 349 D+/ 334D-
Itinerary: From Les Bergonnes, follow the GR to Croix des Terments, Planvanel, Crêt Dauphin, Col de Richemond, Grange d'en Haut, Grange d'en Bas and Chalet d'Arvières.

Day 6: Chalet D'Arvière -> Culoz; Approx. 6 hrs.
Distance: 19.8 km
Difference in altitude: 386 D+ /1333 D-

Itinerary: From Chalet D'Arvières, still on the GR, follow Sapin Daubré, Col de Charbemène, Croix du Colombier, Col du Colombier, Grange à Masse, Granges neuves, then Culoz.