Foret du Massacre (Jura Mountains)
Foret du Massacre (The Massacre forest) is located in the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park, it extends over several communal or private forests. Its highest point is Crêt Pela (1495m), which makes it one of the highest massifs of Jura, as well as the highest forest in Franche-Comté. Like many forests in the Jura Mountains, it is made up of conifers, particularly spruces. This forest was once known as “Forêt de la Frasse” (ash forest in Old French). It was called "Massacre" from 1535, after a clash between 600 Italian mercenaries sent by François I and the armies of the Duke of Savoy Charles III. The Italian mercenaries were sent to rescue the city of Geneva, besieged by the Savoyards. After being stopped at the Col de la Faucille, Italian mercenaries were pushed back into the Valserine valley, then dispersed and annihilated in this forest.
Region: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
City: Lajoux
Distance: 15.43 km
Elevation Gain: 326 m
Elevation Loss: 340 m
Difficulty: 221 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.74 FIETS
Avg Grade: 3.48 %
Max cat climb: 3
Min elevation: 1157 m
Max elevation: 1405 m
Ride Category: Hilly