Hike to Le Vuache
Earlier this spring, I went on hike to Le Vuache, a mountain in the Jura located on the other side of the Rhône from Fort l’Ecluse.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):
In the morning, I took a LIHSA bus (22 line) from Annecy and got off at Frangy. I started walking to Chaumont, a traditional stop on the Via Gebennensis. I visited the ruins of the castle then was on my way to the summit of Le Vuache. There were a few viewpoints along the way with a good view to the west. After the summit, I ate lunch at a viewpoint with a view to the east and the Rhône valley all the way to Geneva. I kept walking on the ridge until the Oratoire Sainte-Victoire, where I went down towards Chevrier. I crossed the Rhône at Pont Carnot then went down to the Défilé de l’Ecluse and followed a trail along the river in order to reach Longeray and the bus stop. Unfortunately, I missed the bus (33 line) to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine by a few minutes. Instead, I took a bus in the other direction and got off at the next stop in Collonges: Buses are more frequent from there and I was soon on my way to Bellegarde. Finally, I took a LIHSA bus back to Annecy.
Above, in Frangy.
Above, view of Frangy from Musièges.
Above, first view of Le Vuache.
Above, I walked on a paved road until Pont du Pissieu.
Above, Chaumont. The ruins of the castle can be seen on the hill on the right.
Above, Pont du Pissieu. I had already passed through there coming from Col du Mont Sion.
Above, Le Fornant.
Above, Le Mont.
Above, start of the trail to Chaumont.
Above, in Chaumont.
Above, Le Vuache seen from the ruins of Château de Chaumont.
Above, ruins of the keep.
Above, Eglise Sainte-Agathe.
Above, on the trail to the summit of Le Vuache.
Above, cairn at the summit.
Above, Grand Crêt d’Eau.
Above, Salève.
Above, towards Geneva.
Above, looking back.
Above, tunnel exit of the A40 highway.
Above, Rhône.
Above, arriving at the Oppidum du Vuache, the location of a celtic fortress.
Above, Oratoire Sainte-Victoire.
Above, Rocher de Léaz seen from a viewpoint near the Oratoire.
Above, Grand Crêt d’Eau.
Above, on the way down to Chevrier.
Above, Salève.
Above, Rhône.
Above, in Chevrier.
Above, Crêt de la Neige in the background.
Above, upper fort of Fort l’Ecluse, on the other side of the Rhône.
Above, Pont Carnot.
Above, lower fort of Fort l’Ecluse.
Above, trail along the river.
Above, Viaduc de Longeray.
Above, Rocher de Léaz.
Above, the north tip of Le Vuache.
Above, on the way up to Longeray.
Above, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine train station, waiting for the bus to Annecy.