Fort-du-Plasne Lake

A veritable natural patchwork unfolds before your eyes as you walk along the ridge overlooking the two villages; in summer, the dense, dark holly bushes contrast sharply with the vivid green of the pastures, the ochre of the peat bogs, and the bluish hues of the lakes. As autumn sets in, this scene is enhanced by the sepia tones of the reddish leaves, which winter will cover with its white blanket for a few months. The onset of spring will bring the colour palette of this mosaic of landscapes back to life.

Details

35711439
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.07 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 295 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 269 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,136 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,890 ft

Description of the walk

From Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux, take the D437 towards Foncine-le-Bas. Turn left halfway towards Fort-du-Plasne and park by the town hall.

(S/E) With your back to the town hall, turn right onto the Grande Rue, pass the Fontaine-Ronde and carry on straight ahead until you reach the last house on the right.

(1) Follow the well-graveled white track on the right leading towards Lac de Fort-du-Plasne (its water level varies rapidly depending on rainfall), bordered by peat bogs, until you reach Les Voigneurs.

(2) Follow the road to the right for a few dozen metres, then take a steep path up to the ridge, at the La Corne signpost.

(3) In the pasture, head down to the right to pass through a fence and follow the edge of the forest. Continue along the fence on your right. After passing a second watering trough, the path climbs back up onto the ridges then crosses a large pasture towards the forest and a track suitable for vehicles. Continue through the forest until you reach the “Le Crêt” signpost.

(4) At the signpost, turn right and follow the road for 50 metres, then carefully cross over to pass through the stony clearing. The wide forest track leads out into a large clearing and continues to the “Le Puits” signpost.

(5) Turn right to re-enter the forest. Walk past a fence for 100 m and continue to the right until you reach the “Les Côtes” signpost.

(6) Take the stony path on the right which runs alongside a low wall, then veer to the left. After passing through an area of woodland edge and then forest, reach Fort-du-Plasne via a gentle descent (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,894 ft - Town Hall, Fort-du-Plasne
  2. 1 : mi 0.48 - alt. 2,940 ft - Junction: turn right towards the - Lac de Fort-du-Plasne
  3. 2 : mi 1.08 - alt. 2,923 ft - Les Voigneurs
  4. 3 : mi 1.33 - alt. 3,058 ft - La Corne
  5. 4 : mi 2.33 - alt. 3,097 ft - Le Crêt
  6. 5 : mi 3.05 - alt. 2,959 ft - The Well
  7. 6 : mi 3.19 - alt. 2,969 ft - Les Côtes
  8. S/E : mi 4.07 - alt. 2,894 ft - Town Hall, Fort-du-Plasne

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
Claudette L
Claudette L

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk with few hills, well signposted; take the main road that passes in front of the town hall as you head to the end of the village. We returned to the starting point by taking the C2 at No. 4.
Note: there are sheltered tables at the back of the town hall

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User 19498371

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Winter hike, short hike, pleasant, no particular difficulty, through woods with views of the lake.

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User 3954727

Hello, good signage, easy route, excellent parking at the start, no people on the route, completely peaceful and lovely views.

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Talmi
Talmi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk.

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User 3954727

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hello, good signage, easy route, excellent parking at the start, no people on the route, absolutely peaceful and lovely views.

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OT Haut-Jura Grandvaux
OT Haut-Jura Grandvaux

Hello
We’ve checked the route and the description – everything is in order.

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OT Haut-Jura Grandvaux
OT Haut-Jura Grandvaux

Thank you for your feedback; we’ll look into the route.

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Dandine2
Dandine2

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The description must have been accurate, but this autumn there are no traces left in the meadows because the grass is so tall and lush. Nothing looks more like a hill than another hill; the same goes for a meadow.
I found myself in a meadow with no landmarks whatsoever, especially as farmers are putting up electric fences – which I fully understand.
Halfway through, I turned back because the ground was too rough on my knees.
Perhaps the route description needs reviewing; I got completely lost from the drinking trough onwards, and friends who’ve done the walk – though they’re more experienced walkers – also found it difficult.

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matnat
matnat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk. Some tricky sections for people with knee problems

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