The Gorges de l'Abîme, the Crêt Pourri and the hamlet of Vaucluse

This circular route will allow you to discover some aspects of the Jura around the town of Saint-Claude. From the Gorges de l'Abîme, you will take a path towards Crêt Pourri, then after crossing a few slopes, you will reach a plateau. On the way back, you will admire the charming hamlet of Vaucluse.
31/01/2024: Route modified following a municipal decree prohibiting access to the Gorges de l'Abîme, see practical information.

Details

n°361252

Creation:
10 Sep 2016

Last update:
24 May 2024

Last review:
16 Jun 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 12.27 km
Average duration: 5h 25
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 681 m
Descent: - 681 m
Highest point: 1,052 m
Lowest point: 483 m

Country: France
Areas: Jura mountains, Haut-Jura
District: Saint-Claude (39200)
Start/End: N 46.39933° / E 5.8744°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3327ET, 3327OT
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is a car park located just after the Saint-Claude exit (RD69 road).

(S/E) Cross the road carefully and take a path.

(1) At a fork, continue left along the path.

(2) After about 250 metres, take a path on the right: the slope is quite steep at first, but then becomes much gentler. You will come to a path which you follow to the left downhill.

(3) Not far away, you will come to a three-way junction: continue right towards Vaucluse.

(4) Turn right towards Rocher du Frênois and the Crêt Pourri viewpoint and follow a path with a few steep slopes for a short while. Near a power line, join the ridge line overlooking the start of the Rocher du Frênois cliff.

(5) Continue left along the path following the cliff line and after a short while you will reach a ruined house (named Rocher du Frênois according to the signpost): continue right along the path leading to the viewpoint (located about 300 metres away).

(6) Enjoy the view of the surrounding area. An orientation table is available. Retrace your steps back to the ruined house and turn right towards Le Frénois. After a climb and then a descent, you will reach a small road

(7). Follow it to the left for about 100 metres, then take the^second path on the left downhill. Stay on this forest path for about 500 metres: turn right, following the yellow markings, to take a path with an uphill slope.
At an intersection, turn left (note that the markings are not clearly visible in this direction at this point) and follow a gently sloping path for a short while. You will come to a road.

(8) Follow it to the left for about 700 m, following the yellow markings. At a bend in the road to the right with a slight upward slope, continue straight ahead following the path (follow the yellow markings): this then runs along the edge of the plateau on a rather pleasant route. After a short descent, you will come to a junction and join the^GRP® Tour de la Haute Bienne.

(9) Continue left on this^GRP®, then turn left onto the yellow-red marked trail. The path then continues with a few steep slopes. At the intersection with a tarmac road, turn right until you reach the hamlet of Vaucluse

(10) At the chapel, turn left towards Saint-Claude (yellow-red^GRP® sign).

(4) After a short while, you will reach a fork that you already saw on the way there. Continue straight ahead.

(3) At the Très Bayard crossroads, either turn left and retrace your steps from the outward journey, or continue straight ahead (the route indicates the second option).

(1) Follow the path on the right and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 483 m - RD69 road - Car park - Cascade des Combes
1 : km 0.27 - alt. 504 m - GR9 fork
2 : km 0.51 - alt. 534 m - Path fork
3 : km 0.9 - alt. 581 m - Very Bayard crossroads
4 : km 2.05 - alt. 646 m - Chemin de la Fraite
5 : km 3.03 - alt. 952 m - Rocher du Frênois - High-voltage power line
6 : km 3.97 - alt. 1,029 m - Viewpoint - Crêt Pourri
7 : km 4.8 - alt. 1,006 m - Le Frênois
8 : km 6.03 - alt. 943 m - Fork in the road: small tarmac road
9 : km 7.15 - alt. 887 m - On the Rocks
10 : km 8.54 - alt. 639 m - Vaucluse
S/E : km 12.27 - alt. 483 m - RD69 road - Car park

Notes

Updated on 23/05/2024:the route was completed today and it was found that all access to the Gorges de l'Abime is currently prohibited:
- from the Pont du Diable car park,
- from the path leading directly to Grange Cattin (the solution that had been proposed until today)
- from the path from Grange Cattin to Trou de l'Abîme
- from the path leading to the Trou de l'Abîme from the Vaucluse road

A municipal decree extending the ban until 12/04/2024 is displayed at each location and states that the ban is valid until 31/12/2024.

In view of these facts, the starting point has been moved and the initial route modified.

Good hiking boots are recommended.
The terrain is wet and some sections may be slippery (and therefore relatively tricky). Walking poles are therefore recommended.

The starting point can be seen here on GM.

The signposting along the entire route is fairly satisfactory.
A description of the difficulties encountered is given as follows:
- Green: fairly easy route with no significant elevation changes or difficulties
- Blue: steeper slopes and/or gradients on a well-marked route.
- Orange: route presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route viability (markings or visibility of the path).

From (S/E) to (1): Green difficulty
An easy path is taken
No markings

From (1) to (2): Green difficulty
An easy path is taken
^GR®9route.

From (2) to (3): Blue difficulty
The trail initially follows a fairly steep slope, which then becomes more moderate
No markings on this section of the trail, then follow the^GR® route until the junction.

From (3) to (4): Green difficulty
The route is easy to follow on a very good path.
Yellow-red^GR® de Pays markings.

From (4) to (5): Orange difficulty
There are a few steep slopes on this section.
Yellow markings

From (5) to (9): Blue difficulty
Route without any major difficulties.
Yellow markings

From (9) to (10): Blue difficulty
There are a few steep slopes.
Yellow-red GR® de Pays markings

From (10) to (3): green difficulty
The path is generally fairly easy to follow
Yellow-red GR® de Pays markings

From (3) to (1): Green difficulty
An easy path is followed
Route on the^GR®9(markings not visible)

From (1) to (S/E): Green difficulty
An easy path is followed
Section not marked

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Grand tétras - more information

Worth a visit

Le Trou de l'Abîme: this is a Vauclusian spring (resurgence of an underground river from an underground network, similar to the Fontaine de Vaucluse). 667 metres of underground galleries have been explored (including 345 metres flooded) on various occasions between 1961 (Michel LETRONE and Max MARTIN) and 1993 (Saint-Claude caving association led by Robert LE PENNEC).

Gorge de l'Abîme: this gorge is traversed by a torrent whose waters come mainly from the Trou de l'Abîme. Access to it was partially developed in the 1980s with paths and footbridges; read more here

Cascades des Combes: on your return, I encourage you to take a short detour to the Cascade des Combes: it is located below the Pont du Diable, a stone's throw from the starting point. To get there: follow the road to the right, then quickly take a path on the left; read more here

Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié: this chapel is located in the hamlet of Vaucluse in a rather picturesque setting. For more information, click here and here.
Update on 23/05/2024: it has been noted that the right-hand pillar supporting the entrance porch has collapsed; emergency repairs have been carried out.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5

Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5

Route interest
4.4 / 5

Orny

16 Jun 2025 at 18:41 7200

I agree about following the route, as I do it quite often. It's true that the slope is steep, but that's the mountain for you (but it's so BEAUTIFUL).

Machine-translated

debrie

16 Jun 2025 at 18:14 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route through peaceful woodland. "Difficult" because the slope is particularly steep between 4 and 5. Otherwise, between 7 and 8, the route is clearly very little used and the signposting is random. The IGN app came in very handy!

Machine-translated

reine husser

01 Apr 2025 at 20:05 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Today's hike. The L'Abîme Gorges are still closed to this day... what a shame.

Machine-translated

Christian Chaillou

11 Mar 2024 at 11:18 3600

Very nice route. The return section has been modified, but be very careful on the slippery descent at the hole in the abyss, as well as on the steps and ladders back into the gorges.

Machine-translated

Orny

04 Mar 2024 at 09:11 3600

A very beautiful hike to do in good weather, requiring sturdy footwear and walking sticks. Steep climb and very muddy terrain. The Gorges de l'Abîme are closed for safety reasons. So we did a round trip via Vaucluse.
Quite a long drive, despite everything.
Lack of signposting in places.

Machine-translated

Christian Chaillou

14 Aug 2023 at 16:35 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The last part of the route has been changed since 2020, and we were forced to follow the markings from the hole in the abyss.

Machine-translated

Orny

24 May 2023 at 08:51 7200

A very beautiful hike to do in good weather. I did it in bad weather with very limited visibility, arriving at Crêt Pourri in the mist. However, the Gorges de l'Abime were fantastic in this weather.
The Cascade des Combes waterfall is a classic, but it's very beautiful and also worth doing.
The guidebook, details and map are excellent and very detailed.
Be careful between points 6 and 7 (under the high-voltage line) as they have cut down all the vegetation (no trees), so there are no landmarks.
You need to wear good footwear and use walking sticks, especially on the descent, as it is very slippery.

Machine-translated

zbh0170

18 Mar 2023 at 23:33 3600 • Edited: 18 Mar 2023 at 23:49 3600

Hello,

The route was completed recently in order to reassess the situation: at the car park at the entrance to the Abime Gorges, a barrier was in place and a municipal notice dated 30/01/2023 stated: "For the safety of users and to prevent the risk of falls due to frost: pedestrians are prohibited from using the entire Abime Gorges hiking trail until 31/03/2023".
In view of this, I have just updated the route to show two alternative routes that avoid this area.
I noticed that access to the Abime hole was possible (no signposts visible at the point (9) or afterwards).
It should also be noted that no notice was given for the return phase (a choice I did not make, however).

Machine-translated

zbh0170

10 Feb 2023 at 23:55 3600

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback. I have taken note that access to the Gorges de l'Abime via the footbridges is currently closed (between points (S/E) and (1)). To get around this problem, I think that on the way there, you followed the road towards Saint-Claude and then took a path on the left a little further on, and on the way back, you stayed on the road without going down to the Trou de l'Abîme (point (10)). Is that correct?
This information could help other hikers.
Thank you very much.

Kind regards

Machine-translated

GrosBébéJu

10 Feb 2023 at 17:55 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, in clear weather, the light is magnificent. All the elevation gain is in the first 2/3 kilometres, after that it's plain sailing. We even saw a pair of golden eagles from the heights, which was nice.
Please note! At this time of year, the first section of the hike (between S/E and 1), which corresponds to the Abyss Gorge, is closed by order of the authorities due to rockfalls. The police often patrol the area, warning tourists, etc. It is said to be dangerous.

Machine-translated

Le bois dormant

09 May 2022 at 11:07 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Given that there are not many landmarks, the GPS track does not have enough points, it often traces straight lines and we often doubt whether we are on the right track.

Machine-translated

Francoise rossier

02 May 2022 at 20:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with some steep climbs and descents. I only came across five people on mountain bikes.

Machine-translated

Socié Claude

25 Apr 2022 at 14:39 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not many people that day; pleasant route on this beautiful day; I have been doing this route for several years now, but there are never many people.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.

Author

zbh0170
98 Walks

Visorando member

Machine-translated walk - Original version

Walk map

Bigger map and chart