Lac de Chanon walks

Second stage of the Way of St James. A route offering beautiful views of Lake Coiselet and Lake Conflans, taking us through a few small hamlets and across woodland.

Starting from Montbrillant, a steady climb up to Septmoncel via the Chemin des Moines, the reward being three viewpoints: two with aerial views of the town of Saint-Claude, and the third overlooking La Roche Blanche. The paths are very easy to walk on, with no technical difficulties.

Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions The third and final stage of the 3-day, 2-night Crêts en combes hiking tour. Starting from Lélex, this circular route combines the main GTJ route with the suggested alternative via Mijoux and the Col de la Faucille. The crossing of the Hautes-Combes jurassiennes, the Valserine valley and the ridges of the Haute Chaine du Jura promise breathtaking landscapes. On one side, the view overlooks the ridges, on the other, it overlooks Lake Geneva and the Alps. In the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and partly in the Haute Chaîne Nature Reserve, the hike takes place in a preserved natural area. The trail is marked with GR® (red and white) signs.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to snow conditions. From Bellecombe to Mijoux via the Haute Chaîne: the second stage of the four-day walking tour “La Valserine enchanteresse”. La Valserine is no fairy, but she enchants with every step. Her magical valley guides us between the high plateaus and ridges of the Jura, offering breathtaking views of the Alps. A journey through wild nature and poetry.

Open from 1 April to 30 November – subject to there being no snow. Third stage of the GRP® de la Valserine. From the Roche Fauconnière viewpoint and its panoramic view of the Cirque d'Orvaz, the trail leads to the Lion marker, a historic landmark of the Franco-Comtois border in the 17th century and a key site of the Resistance. It is here that the GR® de Pays crosses the Grande Traversée du Jura and the GR® 5, before a long, gentle descent towards Lélex, a ski resort nestled in the Valserine valley.

The GTJ runs through the Jura Mountains from Mandeure (Doubs) to Culoz (Ain), crossing the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and offering a detour into Switzerland. The route suggested here covers the second half of the itinerary. Opened in 2004, the GTJ follows the GR®5, GR®9 and GR® de Pays trails for 400 km. Winding along ridges, skirting lakes and emerging from forests, this is a route accessible to most people, with no particular difficulty. It can be tackled as a 2–3-day trip for families, or as the full 15–20-day route. The route winds through the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: a protected area to be explored with respect.

Open from 1 April to 30 November (subject to there being no snow) First stage of the Grande Traversée du Jura walking route: from La Borne au Lion to Culoz, in 6 days. The GTJ links Mandeure (Doubs) to Culoz (Ain) in 15 to 20 days, crossing the Jura Mountains and the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park. The route proposed here corresponds to the second half of the itinerary. The route winds through the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: a protected area to be explored with respect. Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. Dogs and tent camping are prohibited. Please respect these rules to help preserve this exceptional environment.

Sixteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. For this last stage, you will reach Septmoncel before beginning a long descent along the Chemin des Moines to the Gorges du Flumen. Walking along the Flumen, Grosdar and Tacon rivers, you will arrive at Saint-Claude, nestled in the Jura Mountains at the confluence of the Bienne and Tacon rivers. Saint-Claude is not only the capital of briar pipes: heir to a long tradition of craftsmanship, the town has built a reputation for woodturning and diamond and gemstone cutting. Tucked away at the bottom of its valley, the town stands out for its rugged natural environment and unique heritage attractions, such as Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the Pipe and Diamond Museum, Le Monde des Automates and the Abbey Museum, a hub for lovers of modern art.