Chaux-des-Crotenay walks

Twelfth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. For this stage,prepare to be amazed by the wild and authentic beauty of the Jura as you let yourself be carried away by the water for a peaceful break, out of time. Follow the tumultuous course of the Saine River through theLangouette Gorges, then discover the village of Les Planches-en-Montagne and the spectacular Malvaux Gorges, where the Saine has formed the Cascade du Bief de la Ruine, the largest waterfall in the department with a drop of 110 metres. The river then winds its way under the viaduct of the old tramway towards Foncine-le-Bas, offering breathtaking natural landscapes. Finally, cross the Mont Bayard at an altitude of over 1,000 metres for a remarkable view of the surrounding mid-mountain landscape. End your day with a descent to the village of Foncine-le-Haut, ideal for a restful and rejuvenating night.

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.

A walk through the woods, consisting of two circular loops with a return section between them. View over the Billaude Valley from the Rocher de la Baume viewpoint. Option to extend the walk by visiting the village of Châtelneuf. The walk ends in the Billaude Valley, where you can see sections of the ‘Ligne des Hirondelles’ from above. A walk with no major difficulties, though some sections may be muddy due to forestry work. It winds through a pleasant deciduous forest; the paths are marked in yellow and red.

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 beautiful walk around the famous Cascade de la Billaude, which you can admire on the way there or back. The route runs alongside the picturesque Étang des Pêchettes and takes you to a surprising and fairly challenging section, the Grande Cheminée. It also passes by viewing points, including those at Prés Grillet and Taiclet.Those who wish can climb up to the drystone shelter at the Ours (cave) and take advantage of a gap in the vegetation to catch a glimpse of Champagnole and its surroundings. You’ll enjoy the coolness of the banks of the Saine and, at the confluence with the Lemme, you’ll head back up towards the waterfall.

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.

I suggest a lovely walk in the heart of the Jura, between Syam and the Chaux-des-Crotenay plateau, to a site of interest to archaeologists. There are two difficulties to note: access to the Belvédère du Rachet and the short crossing of the Grotte de la Grande Cheminée. The rest of the route is not difficult.

Forest walk in the hills above Syam to discover the Grande Cheminée, an open-air cave that was visited in the Bronze Age. An axe made of this metal was found there. According to some, you may be walking on the lost site of Alesia as you make your way to two viewpoints over the wild Saine valley.

A hike to do preferentially during fall to admire the beautiful colors of the Indian summer reflecting off the lakes.

A superb walk offering magnificent views of the lake district, with numerous vantage points. Much less crowded, the stretch between the village of La Chaux-du-Dombief and Lac de Bonlieu offers the peace and tranquillity of the forest. The return route along the lakeshores is easier on the calves, but incredibly beautiful, especially at the end of the day during the golden hour. As you walk along the ridges skirting the shores, your eyes will be treated to a variety of colours and light, and a wide range of landscapes.

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!

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.

Very nice and easy walk above the lakes of the Jura, Maclu and Illay. Important note regarding parking: this site is particularly busy and has three car parks numbered P1, P2 and P3. We strongly recommend parking in car park P1, which can be accessed via this link.

From the rocky ridge that marks the transition from the lake region to the Grandvaux plateau, the Pic de l'Aigle and the Belvédère des Quatre Lacs emerge during a wooded and lakeside walk.

Discover Saut Girard (the highest point of the Cascades du Hérisson), lakes, viewpoints and the Cairns trail.

This magnificent hike will take you along the Cascades du Hérisson waterfalls and around Lac de Bonlieu. Don't forget your camera, as there are some magnificent views. Please note that from the point (4), the trail is temporarily closed due to a landslide.

The Pic de l'Aigle dominates the valley of the 4 lakes, offering magnificent views of the entire Jura plateau, the Vallée du Hérisson, Grandvaux and even Mont Blanc on a clear day. Starting from Lac d'Ilay, you will climb up to this splendid line of ledges and its viewpoints over these turquoise lakes.

An iconic site in the Jura: the Hérisson waterfalls. This route allows you to discover all of the Hérisson waterfalls, starting from the top of the falls. Allow 3 hours for the round trip along the 7 Hérisson waterfalls. If you prefer to admire the two largest waterfalls, "L'Éventail" and "Le Grand Saut", without hiking for three hours, we suggest parking at the Maison des Cascades in Ménétrux-en-Joux, from where you can quickly and easily reach the foot of L'Éventail. The Hérisson waterfalls can be very busy in summer, so spring and autumn are better times to visit.

The walk descends the Hérisson ('hedgehog') River with its series of rapids and waterfalls, then returns via Bonlieu, passing through the Dame Blanche viewpoint, with a panoramic view over lakes Val and Chambly and the Herisson valley.

From the car park in the hamlet of La Fromagerie, which also provides access to the Cascades du Hérisson from above, cross Le Frasnois and follow the banks of Lac de Narlay before climbing up to discover several magnificent viewpoints overlooking the emerald-coloured lakes (Ilay, Narlay, Grand and Petit Maclu), some of which are unnamed and wild, and those of the Quatre Lacs, Trois Lacs and Pic de l'Aigle, then return to the starting point along the Lac d'Ilay.

A lord had three daughters of marriageable age. Capricious, they found all suitors unworthy. Annoyed, the fairy Melusine turned them into stone statues. Erosion has destroyed two of these gossips. Time will get the better of the last one, so don't delay in paying her a visit. On the way, you will see the ruins of a castle perched on the cliffs, views of the Val de Sirod, and picturesque stony paths winding through beautiful rocks. Return via the Perte de l'Ain and its superb gorges.

Ten minutes from Champagnole, the most powerful of the medieval fortresses still stood not so long ago... A nature and heritage walk awaits you through the Val de Sirod around the site of the Perte de l'Ain, which is at the end of this route. You will pass by the Château Villain fortress, viewpoints, the Rocher des Commères, the castle chapel, the Fontaine des Tufs, the Roche des Sarrasins, the village of Syam, and more.

A circular loop around Bourg de Sirod offering a rich variety of landscapes, forests, terrain and paths. From the ruins of Chateauvillain to the Rochers des Commères, from dry grasslands to mossy thickets and bare scree slopes, from quiet forest tracks to the deafening, bubbling waterfalls of the Ain’s underground watercourses, and from cliff edges to dense forests – there’s something for everyone.

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.

Pleasure in cascades. This extraordinary walk around the Pertes de l’Ain gorges sets out from the remarkable site of the old forges and is a delight for all the senses. Along the way: The Pertes de l’Ain, gorges, cascades, the ruins of Villain castle, and the relics of an old village.

The Saine river has its source in the shelter of this limestone amphitheatre. Admire this magnificent resurgence with its wild but accessible character, climb up high, follow the Bayard botanical trail and contemplate a grandiose and unusual landscape from the Belvédère de la Roche Fendue.

A trail starting out from Foncine le Haut that will take you to the source of the Saine and various viewpoints. A themed trail and a botanical trail...

This magnificent route, ideal for families, overlooks Lake Ilay with a panoramic view of the entire Jura mountain range and the Alps in the background. Marked with cairns, the route offers a fun walk full of discoveries.

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 short hike between forest and lake, very peaceful and relaxing in this popular lake region.

Eleventh stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. Although relatively short,this stage is a veritable festival of natural sites, each more incredible than the last. It begins with the Hérisson waterfall trail, a refreshing escape along a picturesque path dotted with 31 waterfalls and 7 cascades, revealing breathtaking panoramas where the water flows majestically in an aquatic ballet. You then continue your journey by entering the Haut Jura Regional Nature Park via the plateau of the seven lakes. To round off this day full of discoveries, from the Pic de l'Aigle and the Belvédère des Quatre Lacs, you can enjoy not one but several breathtaking views of four of these turquoise lakes: the lakes of Ilay, Petit and Grand Maclu, and Narlay. Dominate the whole scene from the Pic de l'Aigle and the Belvédère des Quatre Lacs... There's no denying it, this stage is spectacular!

Whatever your level or motivation, the Hérisson Waterfalls are accessible to all.This is the trail to discover the waterfalls! It allows you to admire all seven waterfalls. Discover this sequence in one direction and then the other. A walk along the water with a few narrow passages. The starting point of the trail is at the Maison des Cascades.

The Hérisson has a lot to offer! Its 7 waterfalls with 31 jumps: starter or dessert, depending on where you choose to start! A day to feast your eyes, literally and figuratively!

The Loulle dinosaur trail,the third largest site of footprints in France, was discovered by J.F. Richard in 2001. More than 1,500 footprints, corresponding to 21 tracks of peaceful herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs and six less friendly carnivorous "bouffozaura", were studied. Along the way, there are no fewer than five viewpoints, the last and most beautiful of which is the Surmont viewpoint over the upper Ain valley, the Loulle sharp limestone pavement and, finally, on the way back, beautiful paths crossing karstic sinkholes.

A splendid hike between the plateau and the steep-sided valley of the Ain. This circuit offers an opportunity to discover the upper Ain valley and its unique geology, with its Vaucluse spring, waterfalls (Le Moulinet, Saut des Maillys, Moulin-du-Saut) and ruined mills, evidence of how humans once harnessed the power of water. In fact, an EDF hydroelectric plant has replaced the old Moulin-du-Saut.

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.

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.

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

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.