Hike to Pertes de la Valserine, Fort l'Écluse, Rocher de Léaz & Pont de Grésin
Earlier this summer, I went on a hike in the Bellegarde-sur-Valserine area: I visited the Pertes de la Valserine, Fort l’Écluse, Rocher de Léaz and Pont de Grésin.
Here is the path I walked (download KML):
In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus from Annecy to Bellegarde. I first walked along the Valserine river to the Pertes, which I have already mentioned in my previous post. After that, I walked to Fort l’Ecluse, using paved roads and forest paths. I first visited the upper fort then took a a trail down and spent some time visiting the lower fort, for which I needed to buy a ticket. There was a great view from there. I then walked a forest trail along the Rhône in order to get to the Rocher de Léaz (Rock of Léaz), the site of a former castle. Some ruins remain but the main interest is the view: The Rhône, Fort l’Ecluse, the Vuache, the Grand Crêt d’Eau could all be seen. For the final part, in order to catch the bus back, I crossed the Rhône using the pedestrian Pont de Grésin: I arrived in Eloise in Haute-Savoie and walked to the bus stop.
Above, Bellegarde train station. The bus stopped there.
Above, Valserine river, on the way to the Pertes.
Above, canyon at the Pertes.
Above, Viaduc de Bellegarde.
Above, walking through Lancrans.
Above, Grand Crêt d’Eau above.
Above, Plateau de Retord on the other side.
Above, Grand Crêt d’Eau. There is a path starting next to here.
Above, Vuache.
Above, cutting through a field.
Above, power transmission towers.
Above, upper fort of Fort l’Ecluse.
Above, statue of Saint James (Saint Jacques in french) by Yvon Raisin, on the path (Camino de Santiago) from Geneva to Compostela through Nantua.
Above, at the upper fort.
Above, Rhône.
Above, Vuache.
Above, trail to the lower fort.
Above, lower fort of Fort l’Ecluse. The courtyard can be entered freely, although a ticket is needed to enter the fort building itself.
Above, Porte de France (France gate).
Above, a lot of butterflies.
Above, I actually walked back up to the upper fort using the underground gallery.
Aboe, Rhône, looking toward Geneva.
Above, Porte de Genève (Geneva gate).
Above, goats.
Above, on the way to Rocher de Léaz.
Above, the Rocher.
Above, ruins of Moulin de Condière.
Above, Nant de Condière.
Above, in Léaz.
Above, Fort l’Ecluse.
Above, final ascent to the Rocher.
Above, ruins of the castle of Léaz.
Above, statue of Sainte Victoire by Yvon Raisin.
Above, Rhône.
Above, Grand Crêt d’Eau.
Above, there was a lot of wind.
Above, Vierge de Léaz.
Above, Vuache.
Above, on the way to Eloise.
Above, Pont de Grésin, a bridge across the Rhône.
Above, church in Eloise.
Above, Grand Crêt d’Eau.
Above, LIHSA bus stop in Eloise.