Around the Fyète

In the Jura, the forest covers most of the region.
This walk through the forest is a great opportunity to really soak up its atmosphere.
Along the route, there are several lovely views, such as the path leading to the Fyète well – a geological feature typical of karst landscapes – as well as fountains, wash houses and a bread oven.

Details

2664857
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.61 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 886 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 866 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,946 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,093 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

In the village of Crenans, park in the car park by the town hall on Rue de la Forêt.

As some paths are neither signposted nor marked, it is advisable to use a mobile app to help you find your way.

(S/E) From the car park, start the route by turning right towards the east. Walk past the farmhouse inn and the fountain, then continue along Rue de la Forêt. Enter the forest; after a left-hand bend, continue north-east, walk past a small climbing wall and, 150 metres further on, you’ll find a small path on the left.

(1) Climb the few steps and continue along the path, which climbs gradually through the woods to the ridge.

Follow this path to the first clearing (viewpoint over Crenan). At the junction with the path coming up from the left, continue straight on to follow the ridge path.

Enjoy the many views to the left and right as you walk towards the Fyète well.

(2) The well is a 5-minute round trip. Head down to the right to reach the edge of the well.
Warning: do not go beyond the railing; the well is 33 metres deep.

Return to the ridge path and continue northwards until you reach a hairpin bend descending to the left.

(3) Begin the descent southwards along this path and carry on straight on until you reach the hamlet of Coulouvre at the junction with the D296.
(4) At the junction, turn left, pass through Coulouvre and stay on the D296 to reach Crenan at the junction near the war memorial.

(5) At the memorial, turn right towards Charchilla onto the D331. Leave Crenan and continue to the next crossroads.

(6) Turn left and continue along the left-hand track. Walk to the hunting lodge and turn left to rejoin the D296.

(7) On the D296, keep left to enter the village of Crenans via the Route de l’Étang.

(8) Opposite the wash house, head right to reach the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,129 ft - Town hall car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.4 - alt. 2,293 ft - Turn left onto the forest path
  3. 2 : mi 1.41 - alt. 2,930 ft - Return trip to Puits du Fyète
  4. 3 : mi 2.01 - alt. 2,887 ft - Hairpin bend to the left
  5. 4 : mi 2.87 - alt. 2,346 ft - At the crossroads, turn left onto the D296
  6. 5 : mi 3.7 - alt. 2,165 ft - Memorial, on the right
  7. 6 : mi 3.81 - alt. 2,136 ft - Turn left at the fork
  8. 7 : mi 4.18 - alt. 2,093 ft - On the left: Rue de l’Étang
  9. 8 : mi 4.5 - alt. 2,159 ft - Turn right in front of the wash house
  10. S/E : mi 4.61 - alt. 2,129 ft - Town hall car park

Notes

Watch a video of the route

This route is not suitable for pushchairs or young children.

Recommendations:
- Take care when approaching the edge of the Fyète well. Although it is protected by a railing, it is still a vertical well 33 metres deep. Do not go beyond the railings!
- Wildflowers may be rare and protected; they are beautiful but often fade quickly.
Be considerate of other walkers – please do not pick them!
- Watch out for ticks! A very real danger in the Jura forests, ticks are voracious and can get anywhere. Don’t forget to check yourself over after your walk.

I completed this route on a lovely sunny day with good walking conditions (dry ground). I cannot guarantee that it is passable when the ground is waterlogged or snow-covered, or obstructed by trees felled by foresters.

Worth a visit

There are numerous fountains and wash houses in the village of Crenans and the hamlet of Coulouvre, but no drinking water.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
PascaleB.
PascaleB.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Short hike combined with "Le lac Envolé" (The Vanished Lake), mainly through forest on good trails or paths, with some lovely views from the ridge. The Fyète well is a pleasant surprise.

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GRP2016DABO
GRP2016DABO

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Vegetation encroaching on the path on the way up. A well-secured well. No one else around...

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Alanax
Alanax

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route with some beautiful views. The few steps on the little path have disappeared, but it’s easy to find. It’s linked to the Lac Envolé route, which is also very pleasant. Not many people around, despite the time of year.

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zbh0170
zbh0170

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We had a lovely walk on Saturday 21 December 2019 in good weather.
We didn’t encounter any major difficulties. As the ground was slippery, a few short sections required a bit of caution at times.

I really enjoyed the views along the way, as well as the sections through Crenans and Coulouvre.
The Puits du Fyète is a fascinating sight.

Please note: the route shown is slightly incorrect between the point (1) and the junction with the path coming from Coulouvre: this appears to follow an abandoned route. The route taken (as described) is situated a little further up: see the full route here.
This does not cause any problems with navigation on the ground (I noticed the discrepancy afterwards).

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