Bellefontaine Lake

The shores of Lake Bellefontaine with a possible detour to the La Roche Bernard viewpoint (2 km round trip) to continue along the shores of Lake Mortes followed by the stream, village and forest of the same name.

Details

2247832
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.14 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 117 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 125 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,124 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,023 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking between the town hall and the church.

(S/E) Head east along the Route des Fontaines

(1) On leaving the town, take the path on the right, which cuts across the bend in the road. Continue along the D18, passing the "Les Mandrillons" campsite and then the drinking water factory.

(2) Take the Route des Lacs on the right and continue on the left along the Chemin des Baganiers.

(3) Turn left to cross the ford between the two lakes: Bellefontaine on the left and Les Mortes on the right. At the fork in the road, take the right-hand path and follow the shore of Lac des Mortes. The path first heads north, then north-west, ending at a road.
Follow this road to the left for 500 metres and cross the Ruisseau des Mortes stream.

(4) Just after the stream, turn right onto Chemin de la Scie. Ignore two roads on the right and return to the departmental road. Follow it for 100 m and take a path on the right. Walk along this path, ignoring the paths on the right.

(5) At the T-junction, turn left. Ignore a path on the right and then another on the left and you will arrive at a house.

(6) Before the house, turn right and join Route de la Chaux Mourant, which you take on the right.

(7) At the Sacré-Cœur traffic island, continue straight ahead until you reach the entrance to Bellefontaine.

(8) Turn right to reach the cemetery and then the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,033 m - Town hall and church car park
  2. 1 : km 0.92 - alt. 1,059 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.86 - alt. 1,096 m - Route des Lacs on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.78 - alt. 1,123 m - Left towards the lakes
  5. 4 : km 5.81 - alt. 1,092 m - Path on the right
  6. 5 : km 7.22 - alt. 1,123 m - T-junction - left
  7. 6 : km 7.87 - alt. 1,123 m - On the right before the house
  8. 7 : km 9.19 - alt. 1,084 m - The Sacred Heart
  9. 8 : km 9.9 - alt. 1,025 m - Path on the right
  10. S/E : km 10.14 - alt. 1,033 m - Town hall and church car park

Notes

Alternative route:
(3) Continuing straight ahead, after 250 m you can join another circuit called De la Roche Bernard à la Roche Champion at (1). These two circuits together cover 19 km, with an elevation gain of 460 m and a total walking time of 6 hours 30 minutes. The classification then becomes "Difficult".

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

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
didjau
didjau

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

No road leading out of the village.
Apart from that, there's quite a bit of tarmac, but some very beautiful sites on the lakes

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Laudru54
Laudru54

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with views of the lake. However, the signposting leaves something to be desired in winter in the middle of the cross-country ski trails

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DOUARRE
DOUARRE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Great walk

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de jaegher
de jaegher

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

beautiful walk, but mostly in direct sunlight.

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BV61
BV61

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in the afternoon in stormy weather. The most beautiful part is around the peat bogs, with the wooden walkways and the little bridge between the two lakes. The end of the route is the least interesting

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Nicolas2324
Nicolas2324

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I set off very early and enjoyed myself with my dog. It was really pleasant, a very nice walk.
Climbing up to Roche Bernard, be warned, it's steep! But the view is superb!
I highly recommend this hike!

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Gisèle 94
Gisèle 94
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant, easy hike.
Superb scenery towards the lakes.

A few comments:

  • After point 1, it is not a campsite (Les Mandrillons) but an Armenian holiday camp.
  • Before point 3, there is a brand new bench offering superb views.
  • At point 4, the path is blocked. You have to turn right a little further on, going over a fence (this is where the signposts are)
  • Unfortunately, the end is on a tarmac road...

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polclio
polclio

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A few comments: the town hall car park is very small, so either leave your car in the car park opposite the tourist office or drive up to point 2, which avoids the busy road with no points of interest.
Starting from point 2, experienced hikers can add a steep climb to Roche Bernard at point 3, which offers a superb view of the two lakes. Then, either descend to rejoin the circuit, or take the yellow marked trail down to Bellefontaine in 1 hour. The view of the lakes from below and/or above is well worth the trip.

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VALARI
VALARI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

With slightly shy sunshine and borderline temperatures, this was an easy hike with little elevation gain. However, the start wasn't always obvious and we had to walk a bit. It was surprising to discover these lakes frozen over, but be careful not to try walking on the ice as it is very fragile. Also be careful on the wooden footbridges, which are very slippery at this time of year. It's still a pleasant hike, and the rocks at the end of Lac des Mortes provided a beautiful spot for a snack.

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RitonRandonneur
RitonRandonneur

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We were unable to pass between the two lakes as planned on the map because the water level was too high

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Baladeuse66
Baladeuse66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I will start the hike from point 2 to avoid a very long stretch of road that is not particularly interesting.
Once I arrive at the peat bog, it's magnificent: fir forests, herds of Montbéliarde cows and beautiful Jura farms.
The lakes were obviously a little lower than normal, but fortunately still well filled with water. Watch the fish at the edge!
A boardwalk leads to the stream, which you cross shortly afterwards.
There are a few sections of road on the way back.
Highlights: the lakes and the bog.

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VBX
VBX

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The tour of the two lakes is great, the area is beautiful.

The only downside is that from the starting point to the path leading to the lakes, you have to follow a fairly busy road.

I would also suggest a different starting point than the car park near the church, which is very small, as 300 metres further along the hiking trail you pass the tourist office car park, which is more accessible and larger.

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Michel URBIN
Michel URBIN
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting and enjoyable route. The only downside is the starting point. It would have been easier to write: start at Route des Fontaines at the crossroads between the church and the cemetery.

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Thut
Thut

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done with snowshoes, beautiful scenery, a pleasant hike that is not too difficult

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jmm450
jmm450

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

VISORANDo app coupled with GPX Vieuveur = easy and reassuring route tracking.

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