The Bugeon Valley   [General Map] [Local Map] [E-Mail] Click on the map

Starting points and route descriptions

The Bugeon is the name of the stream that tumbles down from Saint François to La Chambre. Along the valley bottom, you will find a network of low altitude paths that are accessible all through the year. There are several startingt points and many combinations. The most logical start in at ND du Cruet, north of La Chambre on the road to Montgellafrey. Before the first hairpin bend, turn right on to a narrow road (ONF signpost "Montgellafrey par Planchamp"). Leave your car near the second identical signpost.

Starting from Montailler will save a little altitude but the path is extremely muddy before les Covatières early in season. You can also start from the top of the valley and go down all the way. The highlights of these routes are two beautiful fairy chimneys along the Bugeon and the discovery of the strange deserted village of Les Covatières, complete with its church, its public bread oven, its chapel and cemetery, and its ghosts. One can also observe the vegetation changes as one gains altitude.
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From ND du Cruet

Go up the path to Planchamp and reach a bridge before Les Covatières (signpost). Walk across the bridge and up to Les Covatières. The path comes out at the cemetery. The deserted village is just below.(1h15)

From Montailler

Turn left on the road to St François above La Côte. Leave the car in Montailler, near the church. The path starts from the left bend at the entrance of the village. A grassy trail and a path soon reach the ruins of l'Echaillon. Then a succession of very wet passages leads to Les Covatières (45mn).

After Les Covatières the route is now fully signposted, with a few paint marks at times. From Les Covatières, go up a good path to Bon Mollard (to your right, escape or access path to Le Planet). Take the marked Sentier des Demoiselles (Fairy chimneys path). It is new. After a series of hairpins and traverses, you can't miss two beautiful fairy chimneys to your left. The route then goes up through a pine forest to the Moulins bridge (a few muddy parts, cables once). Just before the bridge, another path leads up to St François (1h)

Walk across the bridge, then another and up towards Le Praz on a good forest path (views on the skiing resort and the upper valley). At Le Praz, take left and on to the St François - Montgellafrey road (snow in Winter).

Walk down to Montgellafrey (30mn). Before reaching the village, do not miss a signpost and a shortcut to your left. In Montgellafrey, go left (signposts) and find the start of a path that goes comfortably down the very steep grassy slopes under Montgellafrey to Les Covatières. You will arrive at the bridge over the Bugeon. Go across and you are back in Montailler (45mn), go straight on and you are back in ND du Cruet (1h).

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