The wild Biaufond valley with ladders, steps and footbridges

Start on the French side, but the hike is in Switzerland. Large free car park at a place called Lac de Biaufond.

(S/E) Cross the bridge to find yourself in Switzerland.

(1) Turn left onto the ascending path, heading towards Bas des Brandt, Chemin du Dos d'Âne. The trail is well marked.

(2) Turn left, still heading towards Bas des Brandt. Walk for about 200 m and keep an eye out for a narrow path leading uphill on your right. Ignore all other paths and continue uphill to the "Bas des Brandt" farm. Go round the farm and head up the small road (there was a dog there, but don’t worry – he barks and comes towards you, but he’s friendly!).

(3) Turn into the field on your left, heading towards “Cul des Prés”. A sign informs you that you are entering this area at your own risk. You are now entering the Combe de Biaufond with its ladders. Magnificent view.

(4) Continue to the left and look out for signs a little further on. Keep to the left, on the mountain path, marked with red and white markings. Be careful. Pass a first set of ladders, followed by two more. The path is not very well maintained further on, with fallen trees that you have to climb over or go round. But there is a fine reward on the Cerneux-Madeux path with its fixed footbridges.

(5) Note a small cave on your left and continue along this lovely path to discover the sections with wooden steps and bridges. Several fallen trees. Further on, you leave the forest; continue straight ahead and follow the River La Ronde.

(6) Take the path climbing to the right, towards Cerneux-Godat. You are now on the Rocher de l’Aigle Trail; two lovely sets of steps await you before you reach the picnic area and the (unsecured) viewpoint at the Rocher de l’Aigle.

(7) Set off again on the highest path and continue to the village, following the signposts carefully.

(8) Turn left and walk for 200 m.

(9) Turn right at the Cerneux-Godat viewpoint.

(10) Turn back and return to the previous junction.

(9) Continue straight ahead towards the Moulin de la Mort.

(11) You’ll come to a small road; follow it down to the right. Pass through the hamlet of Sous-le-Mont. Walk past the farm in the hamlet of Au Crâtat and, a little further on, turn right. The signposting is still clearly visible.

(12) Look out for and follow the Sentier du Mulet, which descends to the right.

(13) For a round trip, turn right then head down to the Moulin de la Mort on the left. A guestbook awaits you there to leave a message. You can also ring to get the code to enter the refuge. A magnificent spot for a snack break. Continue to the banks of the Doubs to catch a glimpse of “les Orgues des Échelles de la Mort”.

(14) Retrace your steps.

(13) Take the path climbing up on your right, towards Biaufond. Stay on this main path. You are overlooking the banks of the Doubs, which you can see in a few places.

(15) You can see the Refrain Dam below (if there isn’t too much vegetation) on your right and, just before that on your left, admire “Le Roc du Porc”. Continue along the banks of the Doubs at a higher level, then enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. You’ll come to a road.

(16) Head down it on the right-hand side to the bridge. Take great care. This will take you back to the original fork.

(1) Turn right and head for the car park (S/E), on the other side of the bridge.

Signposting was clearly visible throughout the day.
Between the points (5) and (7): Several fallen trees that you’ll need to step over or go round.
At the point (7): picnic area.
At point (14): picnic area.
A magnificent spot at Moulin de la Mort for a long break. An old path runs along the banks of the Doubs to Biaufond. I didn’t risk taking it – there were lots of stones and fallen trees!
The Orgues des Échelles de la Mort are towering rock faces.
Hike completed in 5 hours 45 minutes.

Lac de Biaufond: river or lake?
Shortly after the end of the first ice age, a natural dam, made up of scree, is thought to have formed a lake. From the perspective of flora and fauna, this subtle transformation of the river into a body of water and back into a river downstream offers completely different habitats.
Thus, lake fish and waterbirds—around a hundred species of which can be observed each year—can spend all or part of their life cycle in this area of slow-moving water. The surrounding area is particularly varied: meadows, pastures, orchards, mixed forests, and rocky cirques over which numerous birds of prey circle.
To the east of the lake, the waters of La Ronde arrive. This stream is mostly underground and re-emerges as a spring at this point. Its waters originate from the Valanvron plateau, east of La Chaux-de-Fonds, and more recently from the town’s wastewater treatment plant.