From Menetru-en-Joux to Chaux-des-Crotenay

No signposts

(S) Start on the right on the Moulin du Val path that runs alongside the D326. Pass in front of the Maison des Cascades and follow the path along the Le Hérisson river. You will join the GR® 559 at the base of the Cascade de l'Éventail, named for its distinctive shape, which resembles a fan spread out over 65 metres high. Start with a steep climb to reach the top of the waterfall.

Red and white GR®559 markings and specific signs bearing the symbol J

(1) Continue along the right bank of the Hérisson. Follow a steep path to reach the next waterfall: the Cascade du Grand Saut.

(2) Continue climbing, passing the Gour Bleu before arriving at the Cascade de la Forge.

(3) Turn right, then left to follow a wider, less rugged path. Ignore the GR®559 trail that branches off to the right and continue on the GR®559A. Continue to the Auberge Au Moulin des Fées, then turn left to arrive at the Cascade du Saut Girard waterfall.

Red and white GR®559A markings and specific signs bearing the symbol "J

(4) Take the path heading north-east and quickly, at the fork, turn left (north-west) following the signs for the cheese dairy. You will arrive in the hamlet in front of Boissellerie du Hérisson (a unique place offering a beautiful selection of handcrafted wooden objects).

(5) Turn left and then right, crossing the D39 carefully, and continue along the Chemin de la Joux, which starts to the left of the restaurant La Trattoria des Cascades. At the fork, follow the road to the right towards Lac d'Ilay, on the road of the same name. Drive down through the woods until you reach the D75. Cross it carefully to reach the car park on the edge of Lac d'Ilay.

(6) Follow the signs for Pic de l'Aigle, keeping the lake on your left. You will arrive in the hamlet of Ilay. Turn right to rejoin the D39 in front of a wash house and the Chapelle des Rousselets.

(7) Keep left towards Pic de l'Aigle, walking very carefully along a wall on the D39, then turn left onto the path climbing above the departmental road. Cross the D39 carefully, then continue straight ahead on the stony path which rejoins the D39 a little further on.

(8) Cross it carefully, and at the fork, take the path on the right and stay on this beautiful stony path that heads south-east. At the fork, follow the signs on the left until you reach the signpost for Pied de l'Aigle.

(9) Climb left onto the Chemin du Château, the wooded hillside, following the direction of the Pic de l'Aigle. At the top of the path, join a stony path at a sign. Reach the viewpoint by turning left onto log steps. An orientation table at the top will allow you to enjoy a 360° panorama. From the viewpoint, you will have a magnificent view of the entire Jura plateau, the Hérisson Valley and Grandvaux, and you can even see Mont Blanc on a clear day.

(10) Leave the peak by following the ridge line. Continue along this well-marked path. Please take care. A yellow-marked path leads to the cornices and offers beautiful views of the lakes. This path also leads to a descent which you should not take. Be very careful and pay close attention to the GR®559 markings and continue until you reach the crossroads.

(11) Turn left, continue north-east and you will arrive at the Belvédère des Trois Lacs.

(12) Continue along the ridge and you will reach the Belvédère des Quatre Lacs with superb views of the turquoise-coloured Petit Maclu lake. Take great care when approaching the cliffs.

(13) Leave the viewpoint via the steps. Just before the car park, at the signpost, turn left to descend into the valley, following the signs for Côte du Maclu/Pont de la Chaux. Be careful, the path is steep and slippery. Continue until you reach the D75.

(14) Continue right on the path parallel to the departmental road. Continue until you reach the intersection with a path on the left.

(15) Continue straight ahead (north-east) until you reach the signpost at the end of the bend on the right.

(16) Turn left at the hairpin bend, then head into the woods towards the northeast until you reach the fork.

(17) Turn left to follow the edge of the woods and arrive on the D75. Turn right and continue to the stop sign on the N5 in the village of Pont de la Chaux.

(18) Turn left onto the N5 towards Chaux des Crotenay. Cross the N5 carefully in front of the former Beauséjour hotel, then continue left until you reach the Pont de La Chaux crossroads. Turn right, cross the Lemme river, then carefully cross the level crossing before reaching a crossroads.

(19) Here you have two options:

(a) If you are looking for accommodation in Chaux des Crotenay. Turn right and follow the GR®559 signs

(b) If you are camping and looking for a campsite, as shown on the map, turn left to leave the village of Pont de la Chaux. There are no signs. Continue north-east across the fields until you reach a junction with a path.

(20) Turn right into the woods and continue along the forest path, slightly uphill, until you reach the road: Montée des Érasoirs.

(21) Turn right and continue to the entrance of Camping du Bois Joli (E).

Picnic tables and water points along the route.

Refreshments available At the start at the campsite and on arrival in Chaux des Crotenay: cheese shop and mini-market 500 metres from the campsite.

Bivouac: Camping du Bois Joli. Tel: 0384370153 Info: http://www.chaletsalesiajura.com/

Accommodation options:

Hôtel Restaurant des Lacs. Tel:+33 3 84 60 15 15 Information: Hôtel Restaurant des Lacs - Hôtel Chaux-des-Crotenay Jura

Auberge Des Gourmets. Tel: +33 3 84 60 15 15 Information: Hotel Restaurant Auberge des Gourmets Jura Franche-Comté Champagnole Le Vaudioux

Chalets-Camping d'Alesia. Tel: +33 3 84 60 15 15 Information: Les Chalets d'Alésia | Camping and chalet rental in Chaux des Crotenay in Franche-Comté

Les Cornouillers lodges. Tel: +33 3 84 60 15 15

Hike completed by the author on 16/06/2025

(S) Hérisson waterfall trail.

(1) Éventail waterfall.

(2) Gour Bleu and the Grand Saut waterfall.

(3) Saut de la Forge.

(4) Girard waterfall.

(6) Lac de la Motte or Lac d'Ilay.

(10) Belvédère du Pic de l'Aigle.

(12) Belvédère des Trois Lacs.

(13) Belvédère des Quatre Lacs.

(14) Petit Maclu Lake.