Bienne (rivière) walks

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.

I suggest a route that is almost a loop, with some beautiful views, to reach the Pic d'Oliferne from Lac de Coiselet (Condes). There are no major difficulties to encounter. At most, there are a few passages that require caution if the ground is slippery (see below).

The aim of the hike is to complete a circular route overlooking the village of Dortan and Lake Coiselet. There are many beautiful viewpoints along the way.

Discover Oliferne Castle via the ridge paths. Forget the wide, uninteresting track and enjoy the pleasant paths and panoramic views, where it is practically impossible to go wrong if you follow the yellow markings. Please note: some areas require extra attention when walking with children.

From Chancia, I suggest you return to Montcusel via a pretty loop trail: first, you follow the Bienne River at a distance, then you climb a few hills with beautiful views, especially towards Lac de Coiselet.

A few kilometres from Saint-Claude, beautiful beech forests, a 70-metre-high waterfall, an unusual cave and the magnificent Belvédère de la Corbière viewpoint.

The village of Chancia, dating back to Roman times, stretches lazily along the lake formed by the junction of the Bienne and Ain rivers and the Coiselet reservoir. Here, everything encourages relaxation. On this route through the hills above Chancia, you will be enchanted by this little corner of paradise.

This long route, starting from Le Lison and best undertaken in good weather, will take you all the way to Avignon-les-Saint-Claude, walking over the "Tête du Gaulois" which overlooks the Plan d'Acier industrial estate.On the way back, you can admire the Lison hillsides from the Ponthoux viewpoint and cool off in the Lison Gorges.

Starting from the village of Jeurre, I suggest a hike that partly follows a circular route to reach Saint-Romain-de-Roche. After a short detour to the Grotte de Nerbier, the route follows the course of the Bienne at a distance, then climbs slightly onto the plateau between Petit Châtel and Saint-Romain-de-Roche via a few winding paths.

A circular hike above Saint-Claude that takes you to the Cascade de la Vouivre waterfall, the Belvédère de Cinquétral viewpoint offering superb views of the Bienne valley and the Haut-Jura, and finally the Cascade de Pissevieille waterfall. It is best to do this hike when the snow has melted or after rain to get the most out of the waterfalls, but in this case, the use of walking poles is strongly recommended. Similarly, the climb to the Belvédère de Cinquétral is reserved for experienced walkers.

Set against a dreamlike backdrop, between Lakes Vouglans and Coiselet, lies the climb to the Chancia viewpoint.This challenging route, exceptional for its elevation gain and technical trails, will take you along Lake Vouglans and above Lake Coiselet.Feel free to catch your breath at the viewpoint, which offers a magnificent view over the Ain Valley, before tackling the climbs.

The Échappée Jurassienne is an invitation to discover, step by step, the striking diversity of the Jura Mountains. This 15-day itinerary links the west to the east, from the plains to the mountains, crossing the unspoilt landscapes of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, far from the borders and close to the essentials. From the peaceful canals of Dole, the trail winds its way through the most iconic sites of the Jura: the Cirque de Baume, lakes, remote valleys, viewpoints and deep forests, before ending majestically in Saint-Claude, a town nestled in the heart of the mountains. Over the course of these 311 km, this itinerary becomes much more than a hike: it is a true distillation of the most exceptional things the Jura has to offer. The richness of the landscapes, the contrasts in altitude and the authenticity of the villages you encounter allow everyone to surpass themselves, immerse themselves fully in the wild beauty and reconnect with the essentials.

Sixteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. For this last stage, you will reach Septmoncel before beginning a long descent along the Chemin des Moines to the Gorges du Flumen. Walking along the Flumen, Grosdar and Tacon rivers, you will arrive at Saint-Claude, nestled in the Jura Mountains at the confluence of the Bienne and Tacon rivers. Saint-Claude is not only the capital of briar pipes: heir to a long tradition of craftsmanship, the town has built a reputation for woodturning and diamond and gemstone cutting. Tucked away at the bottom of its valley, the town stands out for its rugged natural environment and unique heritage attractions, such as Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the Pipe and Diamond Museum, Le Monde des Automates and the Abbey Museum, a hub for lovers of modern art.

Do you want to commune with nature, admire its beauty at the slow pace of walking, walk to get to know yourself better, get back to basics, push yourself: set off on an adventure along the Camino de Santiago. That’s what I’m offering you with this route. I set off from my village in the Jura (the first six stages are not part of the signposted routes of the Camino de Santiago) to reach Santiago de Compostela in Spain, but there’s nothing stopping you from setting off from your own home to join the route at any stage, starting from Le Puy-en-Velay or any other town along the way. .

First stage of the Way of St James. This first stage, starting from Villards-d'Héria, takes you up to higher ground with a superb view of Lake Coiselet and, ultimately, a peak and a castle that are well worth the detour. Indeed, the Pic d’Oliferne towers over the Ain Valley by almost 500 metres and offers a beautiful view, particularly of the Haute-Chaîne du Jura.