Refine your search for walks in Col du Mollendruz
Col du Mollendruz walks
Col du Marchairuz - Le Pont
Visorando Member
13.43 mi
+1,496 ft
-2,953 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Le Chenit (Vaud)
Second stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. Mont Tendre, at an altitude of 1,679 metres, dominates the peaks of the Vaud Jura. The climb from Col du Marchairuz to Col du Mont Tendre crosses a landscape that resembles a park. From the summit of Mont Tendre, the view is stunning. Discover Savoie, the Bernese Alps, the Vosges and La Dôle. Shortly after the summit is the Chalet du Mont Tendre. From the terrace, the panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the Alps is magnificent. The food here is delicious. Then the descent begins to the shores of Lake Joux. To reach the lake, there are a few descents to conquer. The portions are rustic, varied and very generous.
From Les Rousses to Lake Constance, following the ridges of the Jura mountains
252.05 mi
+37,713 ft
-40,036 ft
19 days
Difficult
Departure from Les Rousses (Jura)
This exceptional hike links Les Rousses, in the heart of the French Haut-Jura, to the city of Constance (Konstanz), on the shores of the lake of the same name, following the ridges of the Swiss Jura. A demanding but magnificent 405 km route that crosses the most iconic landscapes of the Jura mountains: high-altitude pastures, deep forests, alpine viewpoints, villages steeped in history and forgotten military ruins.
Walks near Col du Mollendruz
Le Pont - Ballaigues
11.56 mi
+2,398 ft
-2,612 ft
7h 25
Difficult
Departure from Le Lieu (Vaud)
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
Les Charbonnières - Col du Machairuz
12.99 mi
+2,703 ft
-1,266 ft
8h 20
Difficult
Departure from Le Lieu (Vaud)
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.
Vallorbe - Les Charbonnières: Lakes Joux and Brenet
8.19 mi
+2,398 ft
-1,552 ft
5h 50
Moderate
Departure from Vallorbe (Vaud)
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.
The Orbe Gorges from Le Day to Orbe via Les Clées
8.39 mi
+620 ft
-1,650 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Vallorbe (Vaud)
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.
Ballaigues - Sainte-Croix
12.53 mi
+3,038 ft
-2,428 ft
8h 25
Difficult
Departure from Ballaigues (Vaud)
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.
Col du Marchairuz - Saint Cergue
10.55 mi
+840 ft
-2,159 ft
5h 35
Moderate
Departure from Le Chenit (Vaud)
This last stage also offers a panoramic viewpoint at Crêt de la Neuve (1,493 m). At your feet, you can admire Lake Geneva, Geneva, the Alps and even Mont Blanc. On the way down, stop off at the ruins of the Oujon convent, a former Carthusian monastery.
Chez Liadet - CAF Gros Morond Refuge
12.78 mi
+1,998 ft
-1,266 ft
7h 35
Difficult
Departure from Mouthe (Doubs)
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.