Part 1:
Starting from the bottom of the Pleney bubble, we headed up the winter green run ‘Retours des Nants’ following signs up to the Plateaux de Nyon. This part of the trail is a mix of piste runs without snow, single tracks through the trees and a couple little stone areas where mountain water trickles down. Along the way we saw beautiful flora & fauna and random little chalets that make you want to become a writer and spend your Summers in them. From the Plateaux you start to recognise the area if you have been out in winter; the first thing you will recognise will be the restaurant “Pointe de Nyon ” which is open in peak Summer season for a quick refreshing drink, the second thing is the mountain peak itself also called Pointe Nyon and of course the view down to Morzine. The next part of the trail is a walk along the road that the Tour de France cyclists zoom down at an average speed of 60kms/h when it comes to Morzine. 
This road will take you about 6kms up to the Lac de Joux Plane. There is another restaurant here where you can stop and have a cheeky drink or even stop for lunch. This was our first stop for the day where rested for 5 minutes and grabbed a quick snack and sat back and admired the beautiful scenery.
Part 2:
This is where we thought we knew better than the sign...
Leaving the Lake, we headed back to the last signpost where we saw the markings for the Chapelle de Jaquicourt. The sign directed us to go straight but for some reason we decided to take a left and we didn’t regret it one bit, although we were convinced at one point we would end in Samoens.
The single track we were following down the mountain is also a mountain bike track so although we didn’t see any be sure to keep your ears open and be prepared to quickly move out of there way! I still think the mountain bikers that ride the Portes du Soleil must be mad! 
I couldn’t help but burst out in random giggles when I thought about how much I was struggling on foot let alone what a biker would have to endure! But I also decided this was not a track for beginner bikers so I instantly felt safer. Never the less I was very glad that we didn’t run in to any and that we avoided having to scramble up any banks or into the trees.
Once we came to realisation that we would most likely end up in Samoens we started thinking of all the people we could get to come and pick us up. As much as we would have hitch hiked back – the locals are rather good at picking up people, one of us had to be back in Morzine in time to serve dinner to those staying in the chalet!
Having got the exciting idea of ending up in Samoens and hitchhiking in our minds, it was almost a disappointment when we eventually came across a sign at Les Lanches directing us back towards Les Gets via la Chaumette. The sign read 1 hour 15 minutes and 450m altitude climb which by now seemed like torture as we were ready to collapse however we very quickly noticed that the along almost the whole of this section of the path grew wild strawberries, blueberries and raspberries so like Hansel and Gretel we happily munched our way through the forest homeward bound. (mid July is the best time to go if you wish to enjoy the same fruity organic treats as we did.)
Not long after we had finished the ascent we eventually saw signs saying Chapelle de Jacquicourt. We knew we were really going in the right direction – Finally! The last 20 minutes before reaching the Chapelle were wonderful, little lakes (aka big puddles depending on your outlook), sun rays streaming through the trees, you almost feel like the pixies, fairies and forest nymphs will come out and greet you and maybe sing you home. Six hours after departing from the bottom of the Pleney lift we reached our goal – la Chapelle de Jaquicourt.
This Chapelle, situated at 1610m, was built in June 1679; 366 years after the boundaries of Verchaix, Taninges and Les Gets communes were established. However it didn’t last long as it was demolished on the 14th of August the very same year. It wasn’t until between the years of 1986 and 1989 did the locals of these communes rebuild the Chapelle on its old foundations. Now every year there is a pilgrimage walk on the second Sunday in September, presumably open to all.
Part 3:
The hike towards Les Gets path was the most confusing for us as we were following signs back to the Lac de Joux Plane, yet were walking in the complete opposite direction. If the sign says to go a certain way, even if you are convinced it is wrong like we did, FOLLOW IT! Unless they have been tampered with the signs will know better than you!
This part of the walk is easiest and straightforward. You will cross open fields which give you views from Praz de Lys over to Mont Chery. You will even pass by some wonderful chalets that make you wonder how they are accessed in Winter. Finally we got to Lairon which is a 5 minutes walk from the top of “La Rosta ” chairlift. As time was closing in on us we upped the pace to a power walk. We had an hour and a half to get down to Les Gets and back to the Chalet in time for dinner. The signs said there was an hour and 25 minutes until we reached Les Gets – so we let gravity do its work as we upped the pace again to a slow jog. Thirty minutes later we were at the bottom of the mountain and at the end of our 8h 15mins hike. We collapsed in a heap and waited for a friend to pick us up, you may be glad to know that we reached the Chalet with 5 minutes to spare to serve dinner!
This was a truly amazing and very rewarding first attempt at an 8 hour hike and would do it again any day – but next time I think we will go all the way down to Samoens, who knows what adventures we will find on our way there.
Throughout this walk you will find marked signposts & yellow markings to keep you on track!
Leave only footprints, Take only photos, preserve your memories and stay safe!
