Hiking: Tréchauffé from Le Jotty

Starting from the Gorges du Pont du Diable, this loop trail climbs up to the Tréchauffé mountain pastures. It is a challenging and at times steep route, with tricky sections equipped with chains, and is reserved for experienced hikers.

Mostly through the forest, the route crosses the Pont du Diable forest and the gorges of the same name before reaching the heights of Tréchauffé. The ascent alternates between steep trails and technical sections, some of which are equipped with chains and can be slippery in wet weather. In Tréchauffé, the forest gives way to an open alpine meadow offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and, in the distance, a glimpse of Lake Geneva. This mountain hike requires solid experience hiking on steep terrain.

The trail is marked with beige directional signs and yellow arrows on a green background.

Start at the "Les Gorges du Pont du Diable" facility.

1/ Take the trail that descends to the left of the facility. Walk down to the entrance of the Gorges and take the trail that continues to the right. At the Pont du Diable, take the trail on the left toward Le Cruet. It climbs before descending along a cliff and then climbs again.

2/ Once you reach the paved road, take the road that climbs to the right to reach the “Le Cruet” sign. From Le Cruet, cross the road toward La Forclaz. Keep to the right past the houses until you reach a religious cross. Head back up the road, turning left (cross the road so you’re visible to cars). Join a trail that climbs to the right and follow the signs for Tréchauffé.

3/ From La Grotte, turn left toward the Chalets de Tréchauffé. Then take the trail that climbs to the right a little further on.

4/ At Sagy, turn right toward the Chalets de Tréchauffé. Caution: tricky section equipped with chains (avoid in rainy weather).

5/ Before reaching the Chalets de Tréchauffé and after passing the “Altitude 1090” sign, you’ll come to a fork in the trail. Take the path that goes up to the left.

6/ At the Chalets de Tréchauffé, continue to the right to reach the road and head toward the sheepfold (restaurant at the end of the road).

Alternative route: After reaching the road, continue a few meters to the right but quickly turn left toward Pointe de Saugeon for a scenic loop of about 1 hour and 30 minutes with an additional 200 meters of elevation gain (find the route description on the hike page "Pointe de Saugeon"). Another option for the more determined: a round trip to Pointe de Tréchauffé, taking about 3 hours of hiking and adding 375 meters of elevation gain.

7/ Pass the restaurant and continue from the “Alpage de Tréchauffé” sign toward Le Cruet. If fences block your path, continue along the path that descends to the right of the restaurant and crosses a metal footbridge. The trail then leads through the forest. The descent is steep.

8/ At Le Mottay, turn right toward Le Cruet. At Les Bois de Ban, continue straight down the path toward Le Cruet. Once at the bottom and nearly back at Le Cruet, take the path down to the left at the intersection.

9/ Once you reach Le Cruet, return via the same path you took on the way there.