Goumois (Canton du Jura) walks

Coming from Goumois (Switzerland), park at the end of the Vautenaivre leat, next to a small rest area (with barbecue).

From the castle ruins, you will climb up to the ledges where, like tightrope walkers from one border marker to the next, you will walk along the ridge line, neither in France nor in Switzerland. You will reach the Réclère Caves, considered the most beautiful in the world by the first explorers in 1886. From Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne to Conan Doyle's The Lost World, you will squeeze between dinosaur feet. The return journey, via the old farmhouse at Montavon, will be less adventurous.

Departure from Villeret in the Bernese Jura near Saint-Imier, climb via the Combe Grède, passing through Pré aux Auges, Les Limes, then along the ridge overlooking the Métairie de Morat facing the Chasseral, before reaching and following the ridge leading directly to the signal (television tower) and the summit of the Chasseral. The magnificent view from the summit ridge amply rewards hikers for their efforts on the climb, allowing them to enjoy, in particular, the three lakes (Biel, Neuchâtel and Morat) and the highest peaks of the Bernese Alps in good weather. The descent is via Pré aux Auges and the dairy farms of the Planes and Métairie aux Renards. A beautiful encounter on the descent, with a herd of chamois above the Métairie des Plânes.

There are no danger points on these ladders. This site, steeped in history, bears witness to the fear once inspired by these legendary places, the scene of many fatal accidents during the "bricotte" (smuggling) era, when the ladders were nothing more than tree trunks crossed by pieces of wood. Today, these comfortable family staircases, which you can climb safely, will allow you to discover the Doubs Gorges from a variety of viewpoints.

Beautiful views, a lovely setting and an unusual part of the hike, crossing the death ladders.

The route forms a loop via the Métairie des Plânes, climbing the Combe Grède before reaching the Chasseral ridge to the east of the summit via the Métairie du Milieu.All the difficulties are behind you when you reach the summit, where you can enjoy a picnic. Return to the car park by descending via Les Limes and La Vieille Vacherie. (i)User comment on 21 June 2025 On Thursday 19 June, when we set off from Villeret, the Combe Grède pass was closed due to rockfalls and fallen trees and therefore inaccessible. For more information, contact the tourist office in St-Imier or Villeret. >This passage to Chasseral can be bypassed from the start by taking the left-hand path towards Les Limes, Derrière, then Pré au Auges, where you come out at the Combe Grède exit. To return from the Hotel du Chasseral, the trail leads to the Métairie de St-Jean, then back to Pré aux Auges, where you head towards St-Imier and then Villeret.

Starting from Maîche, pass through Les Bréseux to see, in particular, its Comtois-style church with magnificent modern stained glass windows, then on to Rochet du Bourbet, a viewpoint over the Dessoubre valley and picnic area. Return via the QuatreGrottes de Waroly, the Waroly waterfalls and the hamlet of La Lizerne. Several interesting viewpoints: Rochet du Bourbet, on the way down to the Château de l'Ermitage, then on the way back up to the hamlet of La Lizerne, among others.

The trail offers views of the Doubs valley and ends with a descent to Saint-Hippolyte from La Chapelle du Mont, passing by the site of the Château de la Roche.

From the heart of Saint-Hyppolyte, nestled in the Revirot valley (where the Doubs and Dessoubre rivers meet), along its narrow streets lined with medieval houses, you will climb boldly towards the Chamesol plateau, a balcony overlooking the valley, to reach the viewpoint on the rocks and the vast cave where our ancestors built a castle that was unfortunately destroyed. Through beautiful forests and secret clearings, you will return via Soulce and its salt well, the Ursulines farm at the foot of the rocks and the tufa cave.

Are you only going to do one of these hikes? Then choose to explore this valley, a pure marvel! To start with, the Gorges du Doubs, which are full of sunny green beauty here. Then there are the light-filled forests towards Roche Guillaume and the mountain pastures, which overlook the valley. And the highlight: the Gorges de la Ronde, wild, lush and tropical in appearance, framed by high rocks, a world of stones, moss and ferns.

A picnic area with tables overlooks the Dessoubre valley at an altitude of nearly 750 metres. Old farms dating back to the 1960s cling to the mountainside. A wild valley where, perhaps, our Comtois Gauls performed their druidic rituals in sacred clearings. A natural rock known as the Devil's Castle overlooks the Waroly waterfall. Finally, caves carved out over centuries.

This is a beautiful hike that has the advantage of being in Switzerland, where hunting is closed on Sundays. The upper part of the route is on a wide ridge with sunny pastures and a picnic area with two tables. There are a few viewpoints on the north side overlooking the L'Ajoie plain with the Vosges mountains in the background. On the other side, you can see the Haut-Doubs and the Jura mountains, including the famous Chasseral. In between, there is plenty of nature to enjoy, with a good portion of the walk taking place in the shade of the trees, which is very pleasant in hot weather.

A ridge walk in the combe, with several geological features to discover and a wide view over the town of Saint-Hippolyte and the Doubs valley.

Geological and scenic hike offering numerous views of the Doubs valley and amazing natural sites to discover!

A walk along the water, springs and fountains in the valleys surrounding the promontory of the ancient castle of Blamont. Discover the cave of Tante Airie, the legendary Mother Christmas of the Pays de Montbéliard.

Ninth stage from Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. At the summit of Chasseral, you pass close to the imposing 114-metre transmitter, a metal sentinel standing at an altitude of 1,606 metres, the highest point of this stage. From there, the trail levels out and takes you on a peaceful descent along the ridge, winding between large century-old trees and the typical pastures of the Bernese Jura, where the air is fragrant with alpine herbs. At an altitude of around 1,000 metres, the landscape narrows: you reach the steepest part of the route, where rocks jut out and steps carved into the stone bear witness to the steeper terrain. The view then opens up onto the Bernese Jura mountain range, before the path gently descends towards the steep-sided Schüss valley. The steady descent takes you to the charming village of Frinvillier, nestled in the valley. Here you will cross the Suze bridge, the final passage of this stage rich in contrasts and panoramic views.

From Valoreille, a superb balcony overlooking the Dessoubre valley, you will descend towards the river through peaceful pastures with unobstructed views of the neighbouring mountains. Then, from the typical village of Vauclusotte and its covered wash house fountain, you will climb through beautiful forests to the Montaigu viewpoint, the Lomont wind turbines, the Montbéliard region and the Ballon d'Alsace, before finally cooling off at the Saint-Ligier fountain, dating from 1721 and topped by its bishop.

From the charming old church of Mont-de-Vougney, head down towards the Dessoubre, not forgetting to pay your respects to the old Saint-Claude in his stone niche. Once an industrial hub, today it has regained a wild and authentic freshness. As you follow the river, you will discover its cliffs, waterfalls and the Combe Foulot cirque. Then climb back up to the plateau through sunny pastures overlooking the valley.

Start with a view of the Alps on a clear day, then the Belherbe plateau and the Lomont wind turbines. Visit Frambouhans Church to see a polychrome wooden statue of Saint Sebastian and a 16th-century Pietà. Cool off at the Grotte du Glaçon and finish with a visit to the strange circular Gallo-Roman drinking trough, the lavogne, which is unique in Franche-Comté.

During this third stage, you will cross the historic town of Porrentruy. As you leave the town, the path runs along the edge of the woods before starting the climb to the Chalet des Chainions (Chalet des Amis de la Nature). The route then continues along a ridge before descending towards the hamlet of Seleute. As you approach Saint-Ursanne, you can admire the Clos du Doubs and its rocky massifs. You will enter the historic town of Saint-Ursanne through the Porte Saint-Paul.

During this fourth stage, you will walk along the banks of the Doubs to Tariche. You will cross the Doubs on a self-service boat. Then you will follow a ridge overlooking the Delémont valley and the Doubs. You will take the very pleasant Combe du Bé to reach Glovelier.

Hike accessible to all. Can be done in all seasons with superb views.

A sandpit, ponds, viewpoint over Bourguignon and the new power station.

Eighth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From the Col de la Vue des Alpes, the flower-filled route winds through pastures to Mont d'Amin, offering a vast panorama of the Mittelland and the Chasseral massif. A long descent then leads to Les Vieux Prés, whose bocage landscape is reminiscent of Normandy: hedges, trees and dry stone walls delimit the plots. After the farming village of Le Pâquier, the trail crosses the Combe Biosse, a limestone gorge carved out by erosion, before reaching the Chasseral ridge, with the Alps and the lakes of Morat, Biel and Neuchâtel as a backdrop.

This stage is the first stage of the Grande Traversée du Jura (or GTJ). It is the easiest. It can be done in a morning and can be combined with the next stage, which goes to Saint-Hippolyte. Most of the route is through forest. The starting point is in Mandeure. A detour to the Gallo-Roman theatre allows you to start with a touch of history. After an hour's walk, the stage passes near the Mandeure viewpoint before continuing through the forest. There are a few open spaces, but they are rare. The descent to Pont-de-Roide is then short and quick.

This short hike will take you to the Roman Theatre and the Mathay plain via a path with views over the Doubs and all the biodiversity associated with this coastline: dry and wet forests, cliffs, scree and ponds are home to many protected species. Play areas, picnic areas and facilities are dotted along the route.

A superb hike around Lake Moron, culminating in the Saut du Doubs and its 27-metre waterfall.

Depart from Le Pissoux, descend to the Grotte de Grenier above the Doubs and cross the river on stepping stones, allowing you to cross dry-shod downstream from the Châtelot dam, followed by the magnificent marked trail on the right bank of the Doubs (Lac du Moron) on the Swiss side. At the Saut du Doubs, head back and forth to the Tête de Calvin to see the meanders of the Doubs basins stretching from Viller-le-Lac to the Saut du Doubs from above, then cross the Doubs via the footbridge upstream of the Saut du Doubs, pass by the viewpoints overlooking the Saut du Doubs and climb directly up through the forest to Le Pissoux, via the Belvédère du Châtelard overlooking Lac de Moron.

Climb up to Roc au Corbeau, which straddles the French-Swiss border.