A circular walk through the unspoilt Hermance valley

In Chevrens, park in the small car park on Chemin du Pont-Crépy, opposite the old customs house on the Swiss side (you can access the walk from the French side by crossing the bridge on foot).

(S/E) Just below the house, take the inconspicuous path that runs alongside the River Hermance on the Swiss side, heading north-east. Follow it to the Chemin des Bélossières. It follows the riverbanks, or veers away from them slightly, and crosses through the woodland or runs along its edge.

(1) Turn left and go down the steps into the woodland; the path heads due north, across the fields. Be careful, as it’s easy to miss this change of direction. Continue along the path beside the banks of the Hermance until you reach the bridge on the Hermance-à-Langin country lane.

(2) Take this road on the left, heading north, staying on the Swiss side, then continue along Rue du Bourg-Dessus. The route climbs and then descends again, after the^first bend, to the left of the road.
At the^second left-hand bend, turn right onto the ramp leading to Rue de l’Église, continuing straight on to join the busy Route d’Hermance, which runs through the village from north to south.

(3) Cross the road carefully at the pedestrian crossing and take Rue Centrale, opposite and slightly set back to your right; continue to the end of the street to reach Quai d’Hermance.

(4) Turn left onto the quai, following the lake, until you reach Chemin des Fossés at a small car park. Follow it past the bend to the left, and cross the Route d’Hermance again , taking care as always. Head up to the top of the village by turning right onto the Chemin du Crêt de La Tour, then onto the Route de Chevrens. Continue to the top, until you reach No. 225 on the street.

(5) Immediately afterwards, leave the Route de Chevrens and turn right, heading south onto the Chemin des Clos. This continues as the Chemin de la Chapelle. Follow it, keeping in the same direction until you reach a left-hand bend.

(6) Leave the tarmac road and turn right onto the gravel Chemin-des-Villars, then onto the Chemin des Bouchats. You’ll reach the junction with the Route de Sous-Chevrens.

(7) Turn left onto this road, heading south-east, for a few dozen metres, then turn left onto Route de Chevrens for about 50 metres.

(8) Turn right onto Chemin du Pont-Crépy and, at the bottom of the road, you’ll reach the car park at the old customs post (S/E).

- The entire walk is on the Swiss side of the Hermance, which runs along the border with France. If you cross the river, particularly at the old bridges, make sure you carry some form of ID.
- Village shops on the Route d’Hermance (bakery, self-service vegetables, etc.)
- Village refreshment bar on the quayside in Hermance.
- Free public toilets and showers just behind the refreshment kiosk and opposite the campsite (very popular with divers)
- Several restaurants and cafés in the village of Hermance. There’s also a popular restaurant on the lakeside quay (book in advance!)
- At the end of the quay, the Hermance fish market (buy fresh perch from the lake, féras and fish tartare directly from the fishermen)

- Take a few minutes to stroll through the historic alleyways of Bourg-Dessus in Hermance.
- Between the jetty and the Hermance road, visit the very charming historic (and heritage-listed) village of Hermance.
- A very pretty and popular paid-entry beach in Hermance. Alternatively, take a stroll along the Hermance quay with its magnificent views of the lake and the Jura.
- There are plenty of public benches facing the lake where you can enjoy a picnic or a drink from your flask before heading back.