Crêt de la Neige
1,721 m
France
Also known as ნეჟნიAlso known as
ნეჟნი
- Elevation
- 1,721 m
- Prominence
- 1,260 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jun–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The classic Pays de Gex ascent: about 900 m from the Tiocan car park (863 m) above Thoiry, through beech forest and the rocky step below the Narderans hanging valley to the Reculet's summit cross, then 2 km north along the crest on the GR to the highest point of the Jura. About 3 hours up; often done as a 5–5½ hour loop returning via Curson and Thoiry-Devant.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +960 m
- −103 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,721 m
- Time Up
- 4h 10m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 02m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the car park at Le Tiocan (863 m), reached by road from the village of Thoiry, take the track above the car park and a path to the right heading north-west. At about 1,050 m follow a track briefly right, then climb steeply left to La Croisée, where a signpost gives 1 h 35 to the Reculet by either the Narderans or the Thoiry-Devant path. Go left: the slope steepens through a rocky section into the Narderans hanging valley, full of daffodils in spring and often with chamois; leave the path to the Chalet du Nardérans on the left and climb the valley west. Below the Reculet cliffs the path turns right towards the southern buttress and then left beneath the overhangs to the final slopes and the large metal cross on the Reculet (1,718 m). From the Reculet drop to the col at about 1,647 m, join the GR9/GR509 and follow the broad, wooded crest north for about 2 km (35–40 minutes) to the Crêt de la Neige. The highest point (1,720 m) is unmarked, in a small clearing among mountain pines about 25 m off the GR and 10–15 m above it; the obvious spot by the path is slightly lower. Return the same way, or continue to the Grand Crêt (1,702 m) and descend by the Chalet de Curson and Thoiry-Devant back to La Croisée. There is no water on the route. The whole route is in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: dogs are forbidden, and winter quiet zones close off-path terrain from mid-December.
Start
Le Tiocan861 m
- Bus to Thoiry Mairie (Cars Région line 33, TPG line 68 from Geneva); walk up to Le Tiocan (about 370 m of extra ascent).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Tiocan → Crêt de la Neige | 6.1 | 960 | 103 | 4h 10m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Le Tiocan861 m
- Feature: Chalet du Nardérans1,335 m
The path passes just below the chalet into the Narderans hanging valley
- Shoulder: Le Reculet1,709 m
Large metal summit cross
- Summit: Crêt de la Neige1,721 m
Key Passages
- Rocky step into the Narderans hanging valley
- Path below the Reculet cliffs
- Crest walk on the GR9/GR509 from the Reculet
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest point of the Jura (1,720 m): an unassuming wooded hump on the crest above Geneva, usually climbed with its near-twin the Reculet from Thoiry, with a view across Lake Geneva to the whole Mont Blanc range.
The Crêt de la Neige sits on the Haute Chaîne, the high south-eastern ridge of the Jura that rises 1,200 m above the Pays de Gex and the Geneva basin. The summit itself is undramatic: a broad, pine-dotted crest a couple of kilometres north of the Reculet (1,718 m), whose big cross and cliffs make it the better-known top. The true high point, at 1,720 m, is an unmarked clearing a few metres off the GR path.
What makes the hike worthwhile is the setting. From the crest the view runs across Lake Geneva to the Alps from the Bernese Oberland to the Écrins, with Mont Blanc straight ahead, and on the other side over the forested Valserine valley. The ascent from Thoiry climbs about 900 m through beech forest and a rocky step into the Narderans hanging valley, then follows the open crest; it is a solid half-day walk with no technical difficulty.
The whole summit area lies in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, created in 1993, with strict rules: no dogs, no camping, and winter quiet zones for black grouse and other wildlife.
Climbing Notes
Normal hill fitness for 900–1,400 m of ascent and 5–7 hours is enough; the only slightly awkward section is the rocky step below Narderans. Carry all your water: there is none on the route. The crest is broad and easy to get lost on in fog.
Typical day: start at Le Tiocan above Thoiry, climb via Narderans to the Reculet (about 2½ hours), walk the crest north to the Crêt de la Neige (35–40 minutes) and the Grand Crêt, and descend via the Chalet de Curson and Thoiry-Devant; or start from Thoiry village and add about 370 m.
In winter the crest is a popular snowshoe and ski-touring objective, but snow is often wind-hardened (bring microspikes or crampons), and the reserve's wildlife quiet zones are closed to all activity from 15 December to 30 June; stay on the signed winter routes and do not head straight up the north-west side to the summit. Dogs are not allowed anywhere in the reserve, even on a lead.
History
The summit was long given as 1,718 m, the same as the Reculet; since 2003 it has been given as 1,720 m, and a 2026 measurement reported on Altituderando puts the true high point at 1,720.8 m, a little north of the spot usually marked. The Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which covers the crest, was created in 1993.
Season
Best Jun–Oct- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snowshoeing and ski touring on authorised routes only; wildlife quiet zones closed
- Feb
- Winter; wind-hardened snow on the crest; quiet zones closed
- Mar
- Winter conditions persist on the crest; quiet zones closed
- Apr
- Snow patches and mud; quiet zones closed
- May
- Daffodils in the Narderans valley; snow lingers on the crest early in the month
- Jun
- Good hiking; quiet zones close until 30 June
- Jul
- Main season; hot on the lower slopes, no water on the route
- Aug
- Main season; thunderstorms possible
- Sep
- Clear views, fewer people
- Oct
- Autumn colours; often above the valley fog
- Nov
- Short days; first snow possible
- Dec
- Winter; quiet zones close from 15 December
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: dogs are forbidden even on a lead; camping of any sort is prohibited (tolerated only right next to chalets and refuges open to the public); no fires except in existing fireplaces; no collecting of fossils, minerals or bones; no loudspeakers or radios
- Bivouac is regulated by a prefectoral order of 16 October 2017 (one night, 19:00–09:00, near marked paths and away from grazed pastures)
- Wildlife quiet zones: all outdoor activity is banned off the signed routes from 15 December to 30 June; the direct line up the north-west side to the summit is in a winter no-go zone
- Getting There
Thoiry; Gex; Lélex (Valserine side)
Geneva (GVA)
- Car: from Thoiry, drive up to the car park at Le Tiocan (863 m)
- Bus: Cars Région line 33 and TPG line 68 (from Geneva) to Thoiry Mairie; walk up to Le Tiocan
- From the Valserine side: start from Lélex or the Monts Jura lifts at Crozet and Lélex
Hazards
- Weather