Dortan walks

A beautiful, challenging hike starting from Dortan, with numerous viewpoints and waterfalls.

Starting from the workers' village of Dortan, this walk takes you through the Bois de Chatelard forest to the Pierre-qui-Vire and its rocky promontory overlooking Lac de Coiselet. Then, in the intimacy of a rocky cirque at the end of a shady valley, you will discover the waterfall of the Ruisseau de Maissiat, which has been building a pyramid of tufa for thousands of years.

The aim of the hike is to complete a circular route overlooking the village of Dortan and Lake Coiselet. There are many beautiful viewpoints along the way.

I suggest a route that is almost a loop, with some beautiful views, to reach the Pic d'Oliferne from Lac de Coiselet (Condes). There are no major difficulties to encounter. At most, there are a few passages that require caution if the ground is slippery (see below).

The village of Chancia, dating back to Roman times, stretches lazily along the lake formed by the junction of the Bienne and Ain rivers and the Coiselet reservoir. Here, everything encourages relaxation. On this route through the hills above Chancia, you will be enchanted by this little corner of paradise.

I suggest a short hike (about 1 hour) from Chancia to the small summit of Molard de Netru (491 m). There are some beautiful views to discover.

From Chancia, I suggest you return to Montcusel via a pretty loop trail: first, you follow the Bienne River at a distance, then you climb a few hills with beautiful views, especially towards Lac de Coiselet.

Interesting viewpoint offering views of the Ain valley (Vouglans Dam, the Haut Jura mountain range and Mont Blanc in good weather). The ruins of Oliferne Castle are now of considerable interest following restoration work carried out by volunteers.

Discover Oliferne Castle via the ridge paths. Forget the wide, uninteresting track and enjoy the pleasant paths and panoramic views, where it is practically impossible to go wrong if you follow the yellow markings. Please note: some areas require extra attention when walking with children.

Second stage of the Way of St James. A route offering beautiful views of Lake Coiselet and Lake Conflans, taking us through a few small hamlets and across woodland.

This hike begins with a steep climb, rewarded by numerous panoramic views of Lake Coiselet. It continues along a pleasant ridge with beautiful views and ends with a visit to the ruins of the medieval castle of Oliferne, which offers a 360° view, before descending back to the starting point.

Il est proposé un parcours en boucle un peu sportif, dont la finalité est de rejoindre à partir d'Oyonnax la Prairie d'Echallon, puis de revenir via le Lac Sous les Mousses (et à proximité du lac de Viry) puis le Mont de la Chaux et la Pointe de Biez.

I suggest a good route that takes you from Oyonnax to Lac Genin and the Prairie d'Échallon. Throughout the route, the varied landscapes are reminiscent of a small Canada. The main difficulty is the length of the route.

The aim of this hike is to take you to Lac Genin from the centre of Oyonnax. The route is mainly a loop. Once you arrive at the lake, you are free to spend as much time there as you like.

A circular walk, mainly through forest, overlooking the southern part of Lake Vouglans with beautiful views of the lake, a horseshoe bend in the River Ain and the dam.

A circular route starting from Martigna and passing by four viewpoints overlooking the lakes of Chanon and Vouglans. From the top of the cliffs, the viewpoints invite us to contemplate the lush greenery and the reflection or sunset on these lakes.

This moderately difficult hike will allow you to discover unspoilt nature and a unique panorama from the Cuchet viewpoint. In autumn, the colours are sublime...

Starting from Saint-Hymetière-sur-Valouse, I suggest you take a short walk through the Petite Montagne region. This route, which is fairly easy overall, takes you to the Montcresson viewpoint before returning via the Saint-Laurent Chapel and the village of Chisséria.

A lovely little route on a mostly shaded route. No particular difficulty apart from a noticeable incline in the middle of the route. Walking poles are recommended for this section.

Walk in the forest with a view of Lake Antre and the Jura Mountains

From Matefelon-Granges, I suggest you take a 11 km circular trail through the Ain Valley, then the Oignin Valley. Along the way, you will enjoy views of Thoire, the Château de Coiselet (private), the Saut de l'Oignin waterfall and its potholes, and finally the lake upstream.

Walk in the forest above the beautiful village of Arinthod, which you can also visit after your hike.

Hike punctuated by beautiful views, following the route of ancient rutted tracks. Passage at the Pierre Énon.

An easy hike around Villards-d'Héria with superb views of Lake Antre, the town of Moirans-en-Montagne and Lake Vouglans.Please note that access is currently prohibited: following a landslide, access to the Lac d'Antre viewpoint is prohibited until further notice. From point (2), go directly to point (4). Please note: there has been a forest fire between points (4) and (7) since 17/08/2025 at 7 p.m. Do not attempt this route

A route through the hills, with stunning views of the surroundings of Moirans-en-Montagne. Sections across the Jura mountains, with clear views, interspersed with sections through the undergrowth and amongst boulders. A very varied, fairly challenging hike.

Do you want to commune with nature, admire its beauty at the slow pace of walking, walk to get to know yourself better, get back to basics, push yourself: set off on an adventure along the Camino de Santiago. That’s what I’m offering you with this route. I set off from my village in the Jura (the first six stages are not part of the signposted routes of the Camino de Santiago) to reach Santiago de Compostela in Spain, but there’s nothing stopping you from setting off from your own home to join the route at any stage, starting from Le Puy-en-Velay or any other town along the way. .

First stage of the Way of St James. This first stage, starting from Villards-d'Héria, takes you up to higher ground with a superb view of Lake Coiselet and, ultimately, a peak and a castle that are well worth the detour. Indeed, the Pic d’Oliferne towers over the Ain Valley by almost 500 metres and offers a beautiful view, particularly of the Haute-Chaîne du Jura.

Around Lac d'Antre, its sinkhole and the resurgence of the Héria, one of the most important sanctuaries in Gaul was established between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. It is through the cult of water that I invite you to discover the ancient city of Antre, its Gallo-Roman remains, its resurgences and its cliff perched 962 m above the lake, Please note: due to bad weather and tree-felling work around Lake Antre, access around the lake and to the Belvédère is prohibited. When facing Lake Antre, you must head for points (3) and (6) and avoid points (1), (2), (4) and (5).

In a typical Jura setting, this loop offers exceptional panoramic views, such as the Roche Fauconnière.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Third stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. From the Roche Fauconnière viewpoint and its panoramic view of the Cirque d'Orvaz, the trail leads to the Lion marker, a historic landmark of the Franco-Comtois border in the 17th century and a key site of the Resistance. It is here that the GR® de Pays crosses the Grande Traversée du Jura and the GR® 5, before a long, gentle descent towards Lélex, a ski resort nestled in the Valserine valley.

This easy hike is best enjoyed in spring and autumn if you want to make the most of the second part, which is also the most beautiful: the waterfall and stream. It's guaranteed to be cool in summer, even with just a trickle of water. Amazon rainforest atmosphere before the waterfall. Moderator update on 24/09/2020: Please note! Change of route at the end of the trail, after the waterfall. To return to the car park, follow the diversion and the yellow markings.

The route follows the course of the Oignin river on the edge of the Gorges de l'Enfer, then goes around the Lac de l'Oignin, all with some pretty nice scenery!