Bellefontaine walks

Above Bellefontaine lies the Bois de Chaux Mourant forest. From the Roche Devant viewpoint, you can see the Risoux massif.

The shores of Lake Bellefontaine with a possible detour to the La Roche Bernard viewpoint (2 km round trip) to continue along the shores of Lake Mortes followed by the stream, village and forest of the same name.

From Bellefontaine, located at an altitude of 1,000 metres in the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, straddling France and Switzerland in the Risoux Massif, you will discover exceptional panoramic views from La Roche Bernard (1,290 metres) and La Roche Champion, over the Val de Mouthe, the lake plateau and the Mont Noir forest. The route climbs 300 metres and requires a good level of fitness.

Fourteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. For this stage, you will begin your adventure in Bellefontaine, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the Jura. The hike will take you through the heights of the town of Morez and across the Bienne Valley, where you can admire spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Along the way, you will reach Les Rousses, a welcoming town with authentic charm. Don't miss a visit to the Fort des Rousses, an impressive historical site that also houses the Comté cheese cellars, where you can discover how this renowned local cheese is made. From there, you will continue your descent to the Bief de la Chaille, a peaceful and enchanting place. The hike ends at the La Grenotte lodge in Prémanon, an ideal place to rest and enjoy the surrounding serenity.

A walk through the Marais forest, taking in a vantage point, the Roche Devant, overlooking the Bellefontaine valley.

At the foot of the cliffs of the Risoux forest lies a patchwork of marshes and peat bogs. From the top of the Roche Bernard promontory, the small glacial lakes of Les Mortes and Bellefontaine are like jewels. An exceptional walk.

Morbier forms part of the cultural and historical region of Franche-Comté. The village is renowned for its eponymous cheese, its cross-country skiing area and its clock-making industry. Indeed, around 1660, the Mayet brothers crafted their first clocks in this village and, in the 19th century, Morbier, along with Morez, was the capital of Comtois clock-making. The village of Morbier overlooks the Morez gorge and forms part of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park.

From Morez, I suggest a lovely route overlooking the Bienne Valley, mainly through woodland, with a few scenic viewpoints. The length of the route and a few steep slopes are the main challenges (see the Practical Information section).

This circuit, starting from Morez, will take you on a tour of the surroundings of the Bienne and its Trou Bleu, as well as the Saillard Viaduct, crossing two Himalayan footbridges. Information panels are dotted along the route.

There are several viewpoints to discover along the French-Swiss border, allowing you to return more calmly via the Madone peat bogs. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

The Rando des Passeurs in Chapelle-des-Bois changes its route every year. For those who are unable to do it in June, here is a hike that takes you through Mont-Noir and Risoux on trails used by the Passeurs de Chapelle-des-Bois. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

Entering the forest can be daunting. It would be a shame to give up. Indeed, you cannot claim to have got to know Chapelle-des-Bois without having tried to explore it. After all, it covers two-thirds of the village’s total area. It is also a way to discover the village’s history and understand the local economy. ⚠️ 15 November to 15 March: This walk crosses cross-country ski trails which are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the trail groomers, please do not walk on the trails.

This Franco-Swiss route offers beautiful views of the Orbe valley from the Roche du Creux viewpoint on the border.

A superb hike starting from the Chapelle des Bois with beautiful countryside and forest landscapes, not to mention the Lac des Mortes and Lac de Bellefontaine. In winter, this circuit can easily be done on snowshoes, allowing you to discover the frozen lakes. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

A very pleasant walk in the Chapelle des Bois plain, a mecca for Nordic skiing in the Jura. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers, we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

Surrounded by Sala and Noiremont summits, this hike that allows you to explore Swiss forests and pastures. You'll need two cars for this straight route hike.

A beautiful hike across the Swiss peaks bordering the frontier, offering spectacular views of Lake Geneva, the Lake Geneva basin and Mont Blanc, weather permitting. A steep climb takes you to the magnificent site of the Creux du Croue; continuing the ascent, you reach the summit of the Noirmont des Francais, and further on, the Noirmont. A long descent through the ski slopes will take you to the other side of the mountain, where you’ll begin a long climb through the mountain pastures. After passing several farms, a short detour to Mont Sâla will reward you with a wonderful panorama. After a brief stop at the curious Creux de la Neige, the return journey halfway up the slope, passing various farms, will offer you views of Lac des Rousses and the village of Bois d'Amont.

Mont Sala offers remarkable views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, particularly its highest peak.Important note mentioned by a hiker: this route is located in an area regulated by the Federal District of Le Noirmont; in winter, only marked trails are authorised in order to preserve wildlife, so access to Crêt des Danses and summit 1515 is prohibited.

A short, shaded and pleasant family trail, allowing you to discover the Lac des Rouges Truites bog and its fragile and unique ecosystem, which is a delight for nature lovers: rare plant species and animal species, some of which are endangered, live happily here.

This short route allows you to discover Lac des Rousses, the only lake in Franche-Comté located in the basin that flows towards Switzerland and the Rhine. It is surrounded by peat bogs and you can discover remarkable flora and fauna . In summer, you can swim in its clear, shallow waters, enjoy the water sports centre or contemplate the beauty of the surrounding landscapes, and in winter, watch the skaters and iceboats when the lake is frozen .

A family trail starting from Les Rousses, offering views over the peat bog on the edge of Lac des Rousses.

First stage: From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. After passing through La Cure, you will enter Switzerland and reach Saint-Cergue. A road will take you through the Jura pastures to the ruins of the Oujon convent. From Les Frasses, a steep forest path leads to a panoramic viewpoint. The climb continues through enchanting scenery, between flower-filled meadows and chalets, towards Crêt de la Neuve, the highest point of the stage. Here you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, the Vaud Alps and Mont Blanc. The hike ends in the Vaud Jura Park, along a pretty forest path leading to the Col de Marchairuz (1,446 m).

This exceptional hike links Les Rousses, in the heart of the French Haut-Jura, to the city of Constance (Konstanz), on the shores of the lake of the same name, following the ridges of the Swiss Jura. A demanding but magnificent 405 km route that crosses the most iconic landscapes of the Jura mountains: high-altitude pastures, deep forests, alpine viewpoints, villages steeped in history and forgotten military ruins.

Les Rousses is a commune in the Jura department. Located in the Haut-Jura, on the border with Switzerland, it is the main commune of the Les Rousses ski resort, a major downhill skiing area comprising Les Rousses, Bois-d’Amont, Lamoura and Prémanon. The fort is open to visitors. A lovely forest walk along pretty paths, with a short stretch along a road and a beautiful waterfall.

The landscape and soul of Grandvaux are revealed throughout this iconic route: forest valleys, meadows and pastures, and the church by the lake.

A journey to the heart of water... nourishing for people and their animals in the countryside, driving force for industry in the city. Explore the typical landscapes of the Haut-Jura: forests, valleys, pastures, gorges, lakes, peat bogs and rivers.

This route is designed for electric hybrid bikes; you will not find any signposts along the way.Your route will take you along tarmac roads, carriageways, footpaths, forest tracks, etc. Given that you will be passing through a relatively long old railway tunnel and considering the length of the route, be sure to bring a torch or other lighting and a spare battery.

A journey to the heart of the water... to the heart of the history of Grandvaux. Discover the peaceful landscapes around Lac de l'Abbaye. Take plenty of breaks and uncover the secrets of the lake and its peat bogs from the image silo.This route is designed specifically for electric hybrid bikes, due to its elevation, distance and terrain.There are no markings along the route.

This is a peaceful, family-friendly and easy route that takes you through the typical landscapes of Grandvaux: forests, woodlands, pastures and dirt tracks... A walk starting from the centre of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux.

A veritable natural patchwork unfolds before your eyes as you walk along the ridge overlooking the two villages; in summer, the dense, dark holly bushes contrast sharply with the vivid green of the pastures, the ochre of the peat bogs, and the bluish hues of the lakes. As autumn sets in, this scene is enhanced by the sepia tones of the reddish leaves, which winter will cover with its white blanket for a few months. The onset of spring will bring the colour palette of this mosaic of landscapes back to life.

This discovery trail is ideal for our young and very young walkers; the distance is short and the elevation gain very limited. It passes through a tunnel and features a remarkable waterfall. Definitely a great family outing!

This circular route, entirely within Switzerland, takes you through the beautiful Jura valleys near the resort of Les Rousses. After climbing up to Le Noirmont, you’ll reach Mont Sâla via the Creux du Croue. If the weather is clear, there are magnificent views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The route is not particularly difficult, but the climb up to Le Noirmont is quite steep and quite long. This round trip, with the descent via the same route, is in fact a lovely hike in its own right (allow for an elevation gain of around 500 metres).

Thirteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne: discover the Jura Mountains on this stage between Haut-Jura and Haut-Doubs. Explore the cross-country ski trails of the Mont Noir massif, which are transformed into superb hiking trails in summer. Immerse yourself in a peaceful, unspoilt environment, where alpine flowers bloom alongside the woody scents of fir and spruce trees. Between the woods, valleys and ridges, enjoy the fresh air while admiring the picturesque landscapes. This stage will also take you along the Bellefontaine and Mortes lakes, known for their peat bogs, which are home to remarkable flora and fauna.

Fifteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. In the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, this stage will quickly take you to the highest point, the Belvédère des Dappes. This is followed by a crossing of the Forêt du Massacre, rich in exceptional flora and fauna, with varied landscapes alternating between thick forests and open valleys. You will also discover some curiosities and pretty summer chalets. Enjoy this beautiful forest, taking care not to stray from the marked paths and trails to preserve the tranquillity of the area! From the Combe à la Chèvre and its tall gentians, you will reach the village of Lajoux, home to the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park.

In the Jura forest, visit a lodge between Chaux Neuve, Chapelle des Bois and Foncine.

Explore the surroundings of Prémanon. From the Belvédère des Maquisards, above the Morez cluse, to the coolness of the leat de la Chaille gorges, this is a fairly easy and varied route with a mix of forest, geology and history.

A lovely walk starting from Les Planches-en-Montagne which, through a variety of landscapes, will take you to the shores of Lac à la Dame, then to the summit of Crêt Pelé, where you’ll be treated to a 360° panorama. You’ll cross some beautiful communal meadows to reach Fort du Plasne and, through a lovely forest, the outskirts of the village of Entre-Deux-Monts. Beautiful high forests, large peat bogs, dry grasslands and superb woodland meadows will delight those who appreciate stunning and diverse vegetation.

The Malvaux and Langouette Gorges offer cool respite on hot summer days as well as magnificent scenery. This hiking route is suitable for families, with a shorter alternative (9.5 km) that does not go around Lac à la Dame. Part of the route follows the old tramway, so a head torch or torch is required to cross the 180 m tunnel.

The village of Les Planches-en-Montagne has a picturesque gem at its heart: gorges carved into the limestone and well hidden under the trees. The Saine rushes through them with gusto. Force, turmoil and noise coexist here with calm, serenity and gentleness.

A lovely walk with no major difficulties, offering a chance to discover the Langouette Gorges and its magnificent waterfalls via a well-maintained and safe path. After passing through the village of Les Planches-en-Montagne, you’ll reach Chaux des Crotenay via forest paths and the route over the Col du Gyps.