Fort des Rousses walks

Les Rousses is a commune in the Jura department. Located in the Haut-Jura, on the border with Switzerland, it is the main commune of the Les Rousses ski resort, a major downhill skiing area comprising Les Rousses, Bois-d’Amont, Lamoura and Prémanon. The fort is open to visitors. A lovely forest walk along pretty paths, with a short stretch along a road and a beautiful waterfall.

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 Échappée Jurassienne is an invitation to discover, step by step, the striking diversity of the Jura Mountains. This 15-day itinerary links the west to the east, from the plains to the mountains, crossing the unspoilt landscapes of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, far from the borders and close to the essentials. From the peaceful canals of Dole, the trail winds its way through the most iconic sites of the Jura: the Cirque de Baume, lakes, remote valleys, viewpoints and deep forests, before ending majestically in Saint-Claude, a town nestled in the heart of the mountains. Over the course of these 311 km, this itinerary becomes much more than a hike: it is a true distillation of the most exceptional things the Jura has to offer. The richness of the landscapes, the contrasts in altitude and the authenticity of the villages you encounter allow everyone to surpass themselves, immerse themselves fully in the wild beauty and reconnect with the essentials.

First stage: From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. After passing through La Cure, you will enter Switzerland and reach Saint-Cergue. A road will take you through the Jura pastures to the ruins of the Oujon convent. From Les Frasses, a steep forest path leads to a panoramic viewpoint. The climb continues through enchanting scenery, between flower-filled meadows and chalets, towards Crêt de la Neuve, the highest point of the stage. Here you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, the Vaud Alps and Mont Blanc. The hike ends in the Vaud Jura Park, along a pretty forest path leading to the Col de Marchairuz (1,446 m).

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.