Starting out at the car park at Les Chamois restaurant (point 588, "P" sign on the IGN map at 1/25,000).
Facing the restaurant, turn right and take the stone track after 30m on the left. After 350m you will reach the "Chambre d’eau” (1). From here you will have views over the Ain and the valley. Turn left and follow the footpath overlooking the river for 200m, until you reach the fork "Côte du Martinet". Go straight on towards “Sous le mou."
At "Sous le mou" (2), turn left towards Richebourg (yellow waymarks), then in Richebourg, follow "Chapelle castrale" (red and yellow waymarks). When you reach "Chapelle castrale" you can visit the chapel (and then return back along the same path).
On your way back (marker 653), turn right towards "Roches Graviers" (yellow waymarks). At the sign for "Roches Graviers" follow "Château Villain" on the right (red and yellow waymarks) until you reach the ruins (4) (500m away).
Go back to "Roches Graviers" and carry straight on towards "Porte fortifiée" (red and yellow waymarks).
At "Porte fortifiée" (which you can see on your right) turn left towards Richebourg (red and yellow waymarks) and then in Richebourg turn right and follow "Sous le mou" (yellow waymarks). When you reach "Sous le mou" (2), turn left. After 400m, you will reach the dam, then follow the signs for "Pertes de l’Ain." On your way you will see Fontaine des Tufs on your left, and then you can go down to the little bridge (5) (you will have beautiful views of the narrow gorges of the Ain).
Go back up to the path and carry on until you reach the Pertes de l’Ain (slatted decking). From here, climb back up to the path and then carry on down to the forges (6). Cross the bridge, then follow the tarmacked road to the right for 200m, then take the steps on the right up to the “Chambre d’eau” which you passed at the start and go back along the stone track to the car park.
The walk is clearly waymarked and you will find all the names mentioned on the signposts.
Pleasure in cascades.
This extraordinary walk around the Pertes de l’Ain gorges sets out from the remarkable site of the old forges and is a delight for all the senses.
Along the way: The Pertes de l’Ain, gorges, cascades, the ruins of Villain castle, and the relics of an old village.
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Activity: Walking
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Distance: 5.82 km
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Calculated time: 2h 20
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Difficulty: Easy
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Return to departure point: Yes
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Vertical gain: + 228 m
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Vertical drop: - 225 m
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Highest point: 696 m
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Lowest point: 540 m
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Area: Jura mountains
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District: Bourg-de-Sirod (39300)
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Start/End: N 46.729142° / E 5.960964°
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IGN map(s): Ref. 3326ET
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Description
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 609 m
- 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 576 m
- 2 : km 0.74 - alt. 593 m
- 3 : km 1.35 - alt. 637 m
- 4 : km 2.22 - alt. 685 m
- 5 : km 4.52 - alt. 589 m - Perte de l'Ain
- 6 : km 5.14 - alt. 545 m
- S/E : km 5.82 - alt. 612 m
Useful Information
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.