La Dôle from Les Dappes

Without doubt, the shortest path up to the summit of La Dôle (1677m altitude) from the French side of the border. In good weather, the views are breathtaking and go on for over 250km: from the Swiss Alps to Mont Blanc and on to the Vanoise and the Ecrins, all of this with plunging views down over Geneva and its lake.

Details

76769
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 434 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 435 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,668 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,233 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Les Dappes just after the holiday camp.
The footpath is generally well marked (yellow diamonds)

Go through the narrow turnstile that marks the French-Swiss border, then continue along the footpath, which climbs slightly and takes you past a small wall.
You will then reach the ski lifts. After crossing a dirt road (with a house on the left), turn right onto the path which climbs slightly. (1)
(2) A few hundred metres further on, take the fork to the left, away from the ski piste and follow a small paved path for a few hundred metres.
You will then reach a ski piste which you follow as far as the edge of the forest.
(3) Go straight on along the flat. You will then see the path that climbs up to the summit. Follow this path.
(4) The views at the summit of the Dôle are breathtaking. The buildings (various air surveillance buildings) offer shelter from the wind, but you can't go inside them.

To come back down, follow the ridge to the north as far as the Col de Porte mountain pass (5). Shortly before the pass, there is a fairly steep passage that is probably slippery in wet weather.
When you reach the pass, take the path heading down to the left.
(6) At Poêle Chaud, cross the ski lifts and take the path diagonally to the left (the fork is not very visible).
A little further on, after a slight climb, you will reach the path that you took on your way. (3). Follow this path back in the opposite direction to get back to your starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,240 m - Parking des Dappes
  2. 1 : km 0.75 - alt. 1,293 m - Route
  3. 2 : km 0.99 - alt. 1,346 m - Bifurcation
  4. 3 : km 1.86 - alt. 1,450 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  5. 4 : km 3.08 - alt. 1,664 m - La Dôle - View of the - Lac Léman
  6. 5 : km 4.02 - alt. 1,548 m - Col de Porte
  7. 6 : km 4.43 - alt. 1,466 m - Hot stove
  8. S/E : km 6.69 - alt. 1,240 m - Parking des Dappes

Notes

The Dôle is one of the highest peaks in the Jura. Although it is relatively easy to climb, make sure you check the weather conditions and equip yourself accordingly. Walking shoes are essential.

You will need to take some water and food provisions with you.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 91 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 13007304

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice view... actually we went along the snow-free trails... there are lots of people... wonderful little climb.

Machine-translated

Philippe BARRIER
Philippe BARRIER

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route with a magnificent view of Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Mont Blanc massif from the summit.

Machine-translated

MARIE 1
MARIE 1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely walk with a beautiful view from the summit. Suitable for children. Done in good weather at the beginning of October, very cold wind at the top, so bring a warm jacket.

Machine-translated

User 27479447

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, but be careful: there are slippery sections and other tricky parts, especially if you are prone to vertigo. The view from the top was worth it (Geneva water jets, Mont Blanc, etc.).

Machine-translated

ZOMINY Gwenaelle
ZOMINY Gwenaelle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, a bit challenging going up, but the scenery is breathtaking with panoramic views of the Alps and Mont Blanc. It is best to do this hike on a clear day to fully enjoy it!
We did it in 1½ hours, not counting the 20-30 minute break to admire the view.

Machine-translated

jpgag95
jpgag95
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A tricky section on the ridge between La Dole and the Col de Porte:
200 metres before the Col de Porte, a sign indicates that the path is not maintained and that users take it at their own risk. You must leave the trail on the left and cross a stone wall to find another marked path that leads to the Col de Porte.

Machine-translated

User 27450341

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Average attendance.
There were always a few people around, especially at the start. We were much more alone on the descent.
The route was easy to follow and it was possible to zigzag if the climb was too steep. Being five months pregnant, this was a necessity for me.
The view of Lake Geneva is impressive and unexpected.
We liked seeing cows along the route. There are warnings to inform us that they can be skittish and to be careful, but they didn't show any signs of stress.
The steeper section was well marked and matched our expectations.

Machine-translated

User 27211154
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike with our two children aged 11 and 15. The climb was quite strenuous and a little slippery in places as it had rained the day before, but we really enjoyed it! We were a little disappointed at the top as it was too cloudy to see the views we had been hoping for (Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc, etc.)

Machine-translated

kaolak1
kaolak1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I'm very happy to have completed this short route without any difficulty on my first hike in Switzerland. I often hike in the French Jura, so I was curious to see the Swiss Jura.

The route is pleasant and the view from La Dôle is superb!

Machine-translated

bibi69
bibi69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very beautiful walk with panoramic views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.
on the way back down the Col de Porte, which is a bit dizzying and slippery, there is a barrier with an orange sign indicating a detour to avoid this tricky section.

Machine-translated

patrice.navarro38
patrice.navarro38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The climb is partly on ski slopes and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The arrival offers a splendid panorama! The view of the French and Swiss Alps is magnificent in good weather.

Machine-translated

Orny
Orny

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike

Machine-translated

User 8348731

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk. It's a shame that the weather wasn't great when we arrived. We didn't get to see the Alps.
The return trip along the ridge is nice and not difficult.
Just make sure you're not afraid of heights!

Machine-translated

domdusdom39
domdusdom39

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very beautiful hike, a little challenging. Good walking shoes and possibly walking sticks are recommended. When you are lucky enough to have good weather, you are rewarded with views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.

Machine-translated

Thabor
Thabor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent summit, a beautiful ridge and a memorable climb!
The last slopes are so steep that the earth forms steps.
You climb up the ski slopes of the Dôle massif, and at the top you enjoy a breathtaking view, especially of Mont Blanc. On the Swiss side, there is a real cliff that goes down to Lake Geneva, and you can easily imagine it all covered with a beautiful layer of snow.
I hadn't been there since... 1980! Or something like that. It was like a trip back in time!
I highly recommend this hike if you're on holiday in the area.

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.