Chalet du Petit Morond walks

The Gorges de l’Orbe offer magnificent scenery in all seasons. This route, on the left bank, is better suited to the wetter months than the one on the right bank. There are no major difficulties, but some downhill sections can be tricky if you’re walking after rain, with mud and a risk of slipping. Walking poles are not a bad idea, which is why I’ve classified the route as of medium difficulty This route partly overlaps with the Gorges de l'Orbe route featured on the website.

Stage 4 From Les Rousses to Lake Constance, via the Jura ridges. From the southern slopes of the Knoll, above L'Orbe, the climb to the ridge offers a magnificent panorama: Lake Neuchâtel, the plain and the Alps in the background. The trail crosses the peaceful pastures of the Jura before reaching the Col de l'Aiguillon, close to the French border, marked by anti-tank obstacles and bunkers. The hike continues along the Crête des Aiguilles de Baulmes, lined with 80-metre cliffs, with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva, La Dôle and Chasseral. The descent leads to Sainte-Croix, renowned for its music boxes and automatons.

For this fourth stage, after a good hour's walk, you will reach the highest point of the day: the Dent de Vaulion. The lakes of Joux and Brenet will be at your feet. The water from these two lakes flows underground, shaping the karst cave of the Orbe, near Vallorbe. On a clear day, you can see up to eight lakes.

Stage 3: From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From the beach at Lake Joux to Le Pont, you reach Vallorbe via the Dent de Vaulion (1,483 m) before following and crossing the River Orbe. Since the Middle Ages, Vallorbe has been an important centre for the iron industry thanks to its iron ore deposits and wood reserves. At the Vallorbe Iron and Railway Museum, you leave the town following the shore of Lake Day. The route then passes close to the Day Viaduct, a beautiful arch bridge built in 1925, before arriving at the Day Dam, which holds back the waters of the Orbe, and then Ballaigues, located on the southern slope of the knoll, above the course of the Orbe

During this fifth stage, you will reach the highest point of the Swiss Jura and also of this 6-day route: Mont Tendre. This summit offers a splendid view of the Vaud region, Lake Geneva and the Alps. You will also see numerous "murgers" stretching for miles. These are stone walls built to mark the boundaries of plots of land or enclosures for grazing animals.

The highlight of this third stage will be the Suchet. At your feet, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Neuchâtel. You will also be very close to the French-Swiss border. In Vallorbe, you will notice the presence of old railway crafts.

Stage 5 From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From Sainte-Croix, the birthplace of music boxes and automatons, you set off across the vast pastures of the Vaud Jura towards La Casba and Les Avattes. The path then winds its way to Les Petites Roches before reaching the mysterious Pierre de la Paix, a place full of energy and serenity. One last effort takes you to the summit of Chasseron, at an altitude of 1,608 metres, where a magnificent panorama opens up over Switzerland and France. At your feet lie Lake Neuchâtel and, further south, the majestic Lake Geneva. Nearly 250 kilometres of Alpine ridges stretch out on the horizon, creating a breathtaking natural fresco. The descent is gentle to the hamlet of Les Rochats, at the start of the Les Cluds cross-country ski trail, where an old military barracks remains, a discreet witness to a forgotten past.

This third stage leads to Mont d'Or, from where the view stretches across the French and Swiss Alps. The route passes by the source of the Doubs, winds through forests and mountain pastures, and climbs to the summit of Mont d'Or before descending to the CAF refuge at Gros Morond.