Haut-Jura walks

A hike to do preferentially during fall to admire the beautiful colors of the Indian summer reflecting off the lakes.

The walk descends the Hérisson ('hedgehog') River with its series of rapids and waterfalls, then returns via Bonlieu, passing through the Dame Blanche viewpoint, with a panoramic view over lakes Val and Chambly and the Herisson valley.

The Hérisson has a lot to offer! Its 7 waterfalls with 31 jumps: starter or dessert, depending on where you choose to start! A day to feast your eyes, literally and figuratively!

The Pic de l'Aigle dominates the valley of the 4 lakes, offering magnificent views of the entire Jura plateau, the Vallée du Hérisson, Grandvaux and even Mont Blanc on a clear day. Starting from Lac d'Ilay, you will climb up to this splendid line of ledges and its viewpoints over these turquoise lakes.

Very nice and easy walk above the lakes of the Jura, Maclu and Illay. Important note regarding parking: this site is particularly busy and has three car parks numbered P1, P2 and P3. We strongly recommend parking in car park P1, which can be accessed via this link.

A trail starting out from Foncine le Haut that will take you to the source of the Saine and various viewpoints. A themed trail and a botanical trail...

The route around the lake is a long hike but on good roads. Saint-Point-Lac is the third-largest natural lake in France. The path will take you along and close to the lake but also rises up a little and leads away from it at times for better views. This trail is littered with signs to better understand your environment.

This magnificent hike will take you along the Cascades du Hérisson waterfalls and around Lac de Bonlieu. Don't forget your camera, as there are some magnificent views. Please note that from the point (4), the trail is temporarily closed due to a landslide.

The Malvaux and Langouette Gorges offer cool respite on hot summer days as well as magnificent scenery. This hiking route is suitable for families, with a shorter alternative (9.5 km) that does not go around Lac à la Dame. Part of the route follows the old tramway, so a head torch or torch is required to cross the 180 m tunnel.

The Crêt de la Neige, the highest point in the Jura at 1,720 metres, offers an exceptional view of Lake Geneva and the Alps, with Mont Blanc as a bonus.

This hike will take you from one alpine chalet to another on Mont d'Or.

Short hike with magnificent views of Reculet, Crêt de la Neige and Mont Blanc (in clear weather). Moderator's addition on 07/08/2021: Since this hike was created, the trail for the return seems to have deteriorated and some hikers have preferred to do the round trip. See reviews

A short hike from the village of Les Bouchoux, which allows you to gain some height to see the surrounding area and take a short detour to a superb waterfall.

A lovely French-Swiss walk with magnificent views of the Alps and Lake Geneva.

Offers an unforgettable view of Lake Geneva, Geneva and its water jet, and Mont Blanc in the background.

Mont Sala offers remarkable views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, including its highest peak.

Je vous propose de réaliser un parcours en boucle au départ des environs du Col de la Faucille (parking du Pailly) afin d’accéder au Colomby de Gex : à l'aller le tracé évolue sous les Monts Jura et au retour sur ses crêtes avec une succession de montées et descentes. Certaines parties du parcours sont situées en zones de quiétude de la faune sauvage et il ne sera ainsi pas possible de le parcourir du 15/12 au 15/05 (à lire ci dessous)

Tour of the chalets of the Col du Sac and Varambon via the Crêtes du Sorgia - 360° view at the Crêt de la Goutte with orientation table to discover the Monts d'Ain, Lake Geneva and its water jet, the start of the Jura mountain range, the Swiss and French Alps including the Matterhorn in good weather and the majestic Mont Blanc.

Starting from the ski car park at Entre-les-Fourgs. A beautiful hike towards the Knoll, opening up to 360° views.

Plateau of the Jura mountain range, overlooking the valleys of Bellegarde sur Valserine and Fort l'écluse. The highest point of the Crêt de la Goutte offers a 360° panorama of the Jura Natural Park and Lake Geneva on the Geneva side, with a horizon dominated by the Alps, including Mont Blanc.

An easy hike for the whole family, where the vegetation changes from deciduous trees to pines, firs, Scots pines and boxwood. You can also walk along a stream, enter a cave and enjoy three waterfalls.

This loop will allow you to discover the bottom of the Flumen valley (and its waterfalls) as well as the ridges above it.

From the car park in the hamlet of La Fromagerie, which also provides access to the Cascades du Hérisson from above, cross Le Frasnois and follow the banks of Lac de Narlay before climbing up to discover several magnificent viewpoints overlooking the emerald-coloured lakes (Ilay, Narlay, Grand and Petit Maclu), some of which are unnamed and wild, and those of the Quatre Lacs, Trois Lacs and Pic de l'Aigle, then return to the starting point along the Lac d'Ilay.

A refreshing short hike with multiple panoramic views.

This hike will take you up Mont d'Or, where you can enjoy the view, then look down on it from below. You will pass through different environments and see a rich and diverse range of flora depending on the season.

Ce tour propose un parcours varié, et exigeant, depuis les rives de la Valserine jusqu’aux plus hauts sommets du Jura. Un sublime panorama s’étend sur les Alpes, le Léman et les montagnes jurassiennes, s’offrant aux randonneurs dans un cadre préservé. Praticable d'avril à novembre, le chemin débute depuis le village de Lélex et part en direction du Pont de la Fruitière et du Niaizet. Il se poursuit en longeant la Valserine en fond de vallée et passe par sa tourbière. Une flore remarquable y pousse aux beaux jours. , avant d'entamer l'ascension des Monts Jura et du Reculet (1719m). Une croix de 1600 kg y fut hissée en 1892 par quatre habitants de Thoiry. Le sentier se poursuit jusqu'au Crêt de la Neige, point culminant du massif, à 1720 m. Avant de redescendre dans le village de Lélex, remarquez aux abords du sentier les vestiges d'anciennes constructions, qui témoignent de l'activité humaine dans les Monts Jura et de sa tradition alpagiste.

There is little elevation gain and lots of forest for this walk, which is recommended in summer on the Jura plateau.

The Rando des Passeurs in Chapelle-des-Bois changes its route every year. For those who are unable to do it in June, here is a hike that takes you through Mont-Noir and Risoux on trails used by the Passeurs de Chapelle-des-Bois. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

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

The view from the lookout point is always impressive. Along this trail, you will overlook the beautiful landscapes of Lake Vouglans, observe its colourful surroundings and contemplate its wooded shores, remarkably preserved from unsightly urban development. This route is also suitable for trail runners.

A lovely walk in the forest in the nature reserve leading to a viewpoint offering views of the Alps, Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. Hiking in a nature reserve - Dogs not allowed - The route is mainly located in a wildlife quiet zone, and it is mandatory to follow the signposts.

A family trail starting from Les Rousses, offering views over the peat bog on the edge of Lac des Rousses.

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...

Lac de Remoray, formerly known as Lac Savoureux, is located just upstream from Lac de Saint-Point and used to be part of it. Over thousands of years, the Doubs River, with its alluvial deposits, has separated the original large lake into two. You will discover a patchwork of very different environments: lakes, marshes, peat bogs, rivers, meadows and forests. The viewpoint overlooking the two lakes offers a unique view of the diversity of these landscapes, giving this hike a special charm.

A pleasant walk along the Valserine Gorges, from Les Pertes to Bellegarde. Very popular in hot weather as much of the route is in the woods and always close to the river. Please note that a municipal by-law dated 11 April 2024 prohibits continuing the hike beyond point 5 along the banks of the Valsorine (footbridges closed)

Forest walk in the hills above Syam to discover the Grande Cheminée, an open-air cave that was visited in the Bronze Age. An axe made of this metal was found there. According to some, you may be walking on the lost site of Alesia as you make your way to two viewpoints over the wild Saine valley.

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

A superb hike starting from the Chapelle des Bois with beautiful countryside and forest landscapes, not to mention the Lac des Mortes and Lac de Bellefontaine. In winter, this circuit can easily be done on snowshoes, allowing you to discover the frozen lakes. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

An iconic site in the Jura: the Hérisson waterfalls. This route allows you to discover all of the Hérisson waterfalls, starting from the top of the falls. Allow 3 hours for the round trip along the 7 Hérisson waterfalls. If you prefer to admire the two largest waterfalls, "L'Éventail" and "Le Grand Saut", without hiking for three hours, we suggest parking at the Maison des Cascades in Ménétrux-en-Joux, from where you can quickly and easily reach the foot of L'Éventail. The Hérisson waterfalls can be very busy in summer, so spring and autumn are better times to visit.

This beautiful, mostly shaded route offers views of several waterfalls, each as pretty as the next, as well as a cave open on the side of a cliff with a spring flowing from it. The vegetation is very diverse and you can see the tireless work of water on the rock.

Here is a second circular route to reach the Reculet (the first route can be seen here). You will be able to enjoy numerous views of the Valserine Valley and Lake Geneva (including Geneva and Mont Blanc). I can only say one thing: the landscapes are truly magnificent.

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

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.

The village of Les Planches-en-Montagne has a picturesque gem at its heart: gorges carved into the limestone and well hidden under the trees. The Saine rushes through them with gusto. Force, turmoil and noise coexist here with calm, serenity and gentleness.

From Lélex to Mijoux via the Haute Chaîne: the first stage of the two-day "On the roof of the Jura mountains" hike. From the wild Valserine Valley to the balcony of Lake Geneva, this route immerses you in the authenticity of the Haut-Jura. As you cross the Hautes Combes, you will be struck by the raw beauty of the wide open spaces, the silence of the deep forests and the open horizon of the plateaus. The trail climbs gradually, revealing exceptional panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine range. A life-size immersion in a land of traditions and high-altitude landscapes.Good to know – Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations:Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.Camping in tents is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

The Saine river has its source in the shelter of this limestone amphitheatre. Admire this magnificent resurgence with its wild but accessible character, climb up high, follow the Bayard botanical trail and contemplate a grandiose and unusual landscape from the Belvédère de la Roche Fendue.

Les alpages de Menthières et les paysages du chalet du Sac offrent de grands espaces pour une évasion au cœur des Monts Jura. Entre forêt et alpages, ce parcours varié ouvert d'avril à novembre, s'ouvre sur de superbes panoramas. Le sentier débute depuis le parking face au télésiège du Rendu, longe le parc accrobranche avant de monter vers le Col de Menthières. Il passe par des lieux emblématiques servant de repères pour les randonneurs : la "Grange Velue" et le "Chalet du Sac", qui offrent des vues panoramiques sur Valserhône, le plateau de Retord et les Alpes. Les chiens, même tenus en laisse, sont interdits dans cet espace situé en Réserve Naturelle.

Thirteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne: discover the Jura Mountains on this stage between Haut-Jura and Haut-Doubs. Explore the cross-country ski trails of the Mont Noir massif, which are transformed into superb hiking trails in summer. Immerse yourself in a peaceful, unspoilt environment, where alpine flowers bloom alongside the woody scents of fir and spruce trees. Between the woods, valleys and ridges, enjoy the fresh air while admiring the picturesque landscapes. This stage will also take you along the Bellefontaine and Mortes lakes, known for their peat bogs, which are home to remarkable flora and fauna.

Le Mont Chabot est une des montagnes-phare dominant la ville de Saint-Claude.Il s'agira d'accéder à sa crête en empruntant un parcours en boucle partielle permettant de visualiser de superbes points de vues sur la ville et les alentours. La randonnée est assez courte, mais attention certains passages sont relativement raides et peuvent s’avérer glissants.Attention : le parcours présenté en 2016 vient d'être partiellement remanié (lire § Infos pratiques).

From Lélex to Mijoux via the Haute Chaîne:the second stage of the two-day hiking tour "On the roof of the Jura mountains". From the wild Valserine Valley to the balcony of Lake Geneva, this route immerses you in the authenticity of the Haut-Jura. As you cross the Hautes Combes, you will be struck by the raw beauty of the wide open spaces, the silence of the deep forests and the open horizon of the plateaus. The trail climbs gradually, revealing exceptional panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine chain. A life-size immersion in a land of traditions and high-altitude landscapes.Good to know – Protected areaPart of the route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to specific regulations:Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.Camping in tents is prohibited.Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.