Lélex: Hiking, Snow and the Highest Point in the Jura

For a trip to Lélex, you can choose to focus on hiking, snowshoe routes or skiing. At 1,720 metres, Crêt de la Neige is the highest point in the Jura. If you are looking for a hotel in Lélex, you can use your planned activities as a starting point for your choice.

Hiking and Snowshoeing

The snowshoe route from Lélex to Crêt de la Neige is 13.9 kilometres long and reaches a maximum elevation of 1,720 metres. The challenging route winds through forests and karst depressions before climbing to the ridges. Along the way and from the ridge of Crêt de la Neige, there are views of Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and the Alps; visibility depends on the weather. Check seasonal snow conditions and access before setting out. The trail passes through the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park and partly through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. Find out about the rules in force there before your trip.

Another option is the Les Hauts Sommets hike from Lélex: it is 15.6 kilometres long, involves 1,095 metres of ascent and 958 metres of descent, and also reaches a maximum elevation of 1,720 metres. The route passes the remains of an old high-altitude settlement. There, 20 barns surrounded a main building where cheese was made. The hike also passes through a quiet zone that is closed from 15 December to 30 June. During this period, the GR may only be used on the marked trail; you must not leave it.

The Catheline–Crêt de la Neige route passes through spruce forests, extensive alpine pastures and rocky ridges. The landscape around Crêt de la Neige adds another landmark to the route information: from the ridge, views extend towards Reculet, Mont Blanc and the Valserine Valley. Like other views, these distant vistas depend on visibility conditions.

Ski Area and Elevation

The Lélex-Crozet ski area lies between 900 and 1,680 metres in elevation and offers 20 kilometres of pistes with 21 runs. It is said to have the longest pistes and the greatest vertical drops in the entire Jura massif; these reach up to 800 metres. There are also three signposted snowshoe routes. Their availability may vary by season. Check the published ski-area information again before booking. For comparison, Crêt de la Neige reaches 1,720 metres, while the stated upper limit of the ski area is 1,680 metres.

Church, Visitor Services and Getting There

The Église Saint-Michel also offers a glimpse into the history of the village. Built in 1846 in the 19th-century Neo-Gothic style, it was restored in 1997 by former priest Jean d'Auferville and the villagers around the theme of the four seasons. The choir-stall panels depict 25 flowers typical of the region.

The Lélex tourist office advises visitors on activities and hiking trails, sells hiking maps and provides a bicycle repair kit for minor breakdowns. As these visitor services should be checked locally, it is advisable to confirm their availability before arrival. The timetable for regional bus route A53 lists the Lélex stops La Rivière, Grand Pré, Chapelle and Sherpa. The stated timetable was valid from 25 August 2025 to 23 August 2026; check the current timetable for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mantenay-Montlin, Vescours, Bellignat, Ruffieu, Châtillon-la-Palud, Samognat, Gorrevod, Relevant.

Back to the regional travel overview: Ain.