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.

Starting from Lac de Bellefontaine and Lac des Mortes, which straddle the border between the Doubs and the Jura, this circular route takes you past magnificent viewpoints on the Swiss border, notably those at La Roche Bernard, Le Gît de l’Échelle and La Roche Champion.

A varied route, alternating between meadows and forests, leading to La Roche Devant with its viewpoint offering a view over the Bienne valley. The route then passes the Trois Commères site – rocks resembling huge menhirs – and on to the Balcon des Crottes, withviews of the viaducts of the Ligne des Hirondelles railway line and the town of Morez.

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 route, starting from Morez, will take you around the banks of the Bienne and its Trou Bleu, as well as the Saillard Viaduct, crossing two Himalayan-style footbridges. Information boards are placed at various points 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.

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.