Around the Chaux-des-Crotenay plateau

The starting point is at Pont de la Saine (where there is a car park), near the RD279 road and less than 2 km from Syam.

(S/E) Head straight towards the small mountain and follow the small road (south-east) for about 100 m.

(1) Turn left at this fork (towards Chaux-des-Crotenay). Follow this small tarmac road, running close to the Saine, for just under 1 km.

(2) Shortly after a small bend, take a path on the right, following the yellow markings. A little further up, continue along the path, following the yellow markings: go straight ahead at the three forks you come to, then turn right at the fourth. Further on, you will come to a forest path.

(3) Continue left at this intersection (towards "Chaux-des-Crotenay"), and left again at the next one, following the yellow markings. Further on, you will pass by a cabin.

(4) You will arrive at a place called La Voie Sacrée. Turn left onto the path (towards "Chaux-des-Crotenay"). At the two forks in the path, continue straight ahead. Turn left onto the track, then continue straight ahead at a place called La Carrière (elevation 776), ignoring the signs (particularly the one for "Chaux-des-Crotenay").

(5) Here, join the D16 at the Chaux-des-Crotenay exit. Continue left for a few metres and head left onto Route des Combes. At a bend, continue straight ahead on a path that runs parallel to the D16. You will reach a crossroads at a place called Derrière la Montagne Ronde.

(6) First turn left then right onto the RD16 road, taking care. From here, follow the red and white^GR® markings. Less than 300 metres further on, take a path on the right towards the Church of La Chaux until you reach Les Petits Épinois.

(7) Continue straight ahead on the path. Further on, you will reach a small road which you should follow to the right. You will reach the Col du Gyps.

(8) At the pass, look for and take a path on the left (no sign), climbing almost straight up a fairly steep slope. Near the top, turn right onto a path leading to the belvedere (beautiful viewpoint).

(9) Retrace your steps slightly and turn right to join another downhill path (follow the yellow markings). Further down, you will reach another path at a place called Le Rachet. Turn right towards the Church of La Chaux (follow the white and red^GR® markings). After a short climb, the path descends until it reaches a small road at a place called La Loye. Continue straight on to the Church of La Chaux.

(10) Go around it, turn left and then, not far away, turn right onto the small road to reach Chaux-des-Crotenay. Turn right onto Rue de la Petite Combe and then left onto Route d'Entre-Deux-Monts.

(11) Cross Grande-Rue, continue straight on Route de la Piscine towards Les Prés Grillets and pass the swimming pool.

(12) Turn right onto a path at a place called Le Cornouiller (follow the yellow and red^GR® de Pays markings).

(13): At the Chemin des Ânes Cornus junction, continue straight ahead on the small road. Just under 400 m further on, follow a path on the right, marked in yellow and red. At a place called Les Messageries, take a forest path on the left. A little further on, you will reach Route de Cornu.

(14) Turn right onto the road. At a bend, ignore a path branching off to the left at a place called La Grande Cheminée. About 100 metres further on, take a path leading to the Belvédère les Prés Grillets (a beautiful viewpoint).

(15) Retrace your steps to the Grande Cheminée junction and continue along the path on the right. You will arrive at the entrance to the Grande Cheminée cave, and the exit is just a few metres away when you look up.

(16) Cross the cave (actually more of a hole) using the cables and rungs provided to climb out a little higher up. Great caution is required on this section. Continue to the right, then to the left on an uphill path which then becomes downhill. After turning left, you will arrive at a junction of paths at Sapin Président.

(17) Continue straight ahead, skirting the Plan d'Eau des Pêchettes (a pretty spot). At the end of the pond, take a path on the right towards the Pont de la Saine, which then descends. After a short while, you will come to a new path (which avoids an area where water-sprayed wood is stored at an elevation of 534 metres): turn right, following the yellow-red markings (uphill to the small stream, then left, then left again shortly afterwards at a fork). Once you reach the path in a clear area, continue to the right.

(1) Turn left to return to the starting point, which is nearby (S/E).

Good hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended.

The starting point can be seen here

Nature hates your rubbish. Take it with you!

The route is generally in good condition:

- from (S/E) to (2): the route is very easy to follow on a small tarmac road; this section is marked in yellow.

- From (2) to (3): the route is marked in yellow and should not pose any problems.

- From (3) to (4): the route is easy to follow on a good forest path. Yellow markings.

- From (4) to (5): the route follows a pleasant trail, then a carriage road.
This section is marked in yellow until the place called La Carrière

- From (5) to (6): follow a small road (dead end), then a good path. Follow the yellow markings.

- From (6) to (8): the route follows a section marked in white and red (^GR® 559A). Although caution is advised on the short section of road (RD16), the route is then easy on a good path.

- From (8) to (9): a fairly steep path is taken (be careful of slippery ground in wet weather). This section is not marked.

- From (9) to (10): the paths have some steep slopes on the way down. The markings are yellow, then white and red (^GR® 559A).

- From (10) to (12): this section is on tarmac. There are minimal signs: no markings and only one signpost at the Grande Rue intersection.

- From (12) to (14): this section is marked in yellow and red (^GR® de Pays) and is fairly easy to follow.

- From (14) to (15): yellow markings accompany us on this very easy section.

- From (15) to (16): caution is required on this section:

• the path runs along the edge of steep slopes.
• Crossing the Grande Cheminée cave requires vigilance.

Yellow markings accompany the route.

- From (16) to (17): the route follows some steep slopes. The markings are yellow.

- From (17) to (S/E): yellow and red markings follow a relatively easy route.
Please note that the route has been modified slightly before elevation 534 to avoid an area where wood is stored and regularly watered.

Alternative routes:
Optionally, I suggest two variations that avoid difficulties:

* At point (8), continue on the left and follow the^GR® markings (towards Église de la Chaux). After a fork to the right, the route rejoins at a place called Le Rachet, with the option of making a round trip to the viewpoint. This option avoids the steep climb directly to the viewpoint.

* At point (14), go straight ahead (towards Sapin Président and Pont de la Saine) following the yellow and red markings. The route then rejoins at point (17). This option avoids crossing the Grotte de la Grande Cheminée.

• Is Chaux-des-Crotenay the ancient site of Alesia? This hypothesis is notably supported by archaeologist André Berthier and journalist Franck Ferrand. To find out more, click here.

• The medieval castle of Champ-des-Mottes (Chaux-des-Crotenay): overlooking the church, only ruins are visible. Since 2010, excavations have been carried out by ArchéoJuraSites. For more information, click here

• Sainte-Marguerite Church (Chaux-des-Crotenay): built in the 15th century. For more information, click here.

• La Billaude Waterfall: located less than 2 km from the Pont de la Saine bridge along the RD279 road towards the RN5 road. Facilities allow visitors to view the waterfall from above and below. For more information, click here.