The Couloirs circuit starting from Les Bouchoux

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.

Details

75
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 453 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 459 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,230 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 797 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the square in front of the church in Les Bouchoux.

(S/E) Take the street in line with the church, cross the D25 and follow the yellow markings that lead to a wide road.

(1) Take the small path on the left that climbs uphill, crossing an open landscape before ascending the Couloirs in the forest. You will reach a hairpin bend.

(2) Turn left at the bend. Almost at the top, the trees become increasingly sparse, offering a beautiful view of the valley. You will reach the Croix des Couloirs.

(3) Descend, continuing along the path. At the intersection, turn left to continue on the circuit des couloirs.
Follow the ridge along the small path until you reach the D25E1 again.

(4) Cross it a little below and take the path for about 100 metres. At the three-way junction, turn left. You will come to a small road.

(5) Take the narrow track opposite, which runs alongside a forest before branching off to the right. Follow it for about 500 metres until you reach a junction.

(6) Make a detour to the right to see the waterfall at the mill. To do this, go down the road and take the second path on the right, which will take you to a building.
Cross the footbridge over the stream and follow the path that leads you to the waterfall.
Walk back along this short path until you reach the road.
Go up it on the right until you reach a place called Petite Combe, and continue along the carriage road, passing through the hamlet of Reculet and continuing on to the church of Les Bouchoux (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 966 m - Place de l'église des Bouchoux
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 971 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.11 - alt. 1,091 m - Hairpin bend
  4. 3 : km 1.9 - alt. 1,229 m - Viewpoint from the - Croix des Couloirs (1239 m)
  5. 4 : km 3.51 - alt. 1,092 m - D25E1 crossroads
  6. 5 : km 4.06 - alt. 1,004 m - Borion
  7. 6 : km 5 - alt. 871 m - Waterfall crossroads - Le Tacon (affluent de la Bienne)
  8. S/E : km 7.65 - alt. 966 m - Place de l'église des Bouchoux

Notes

There is a beautiful view from the Croix des Couloirs.
Be careful in foggy conditions as the path crosses scree to reach the Croix des Couloirs.
The Moulin waterfall is very pretty and well worth the detour.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 52 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Isabelle39500
Isabelle39500

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike the day after Christmas... beautiful trails... very well marked.

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Ellerandonne
Ellerandonne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, done in a group of 10 people (aged 47 to 79), with snowshoes. (With 20 cm of snow, they were essential.)
A beautiful, long climb in the first part, richly rewarded by the view at La Croix.
The round trip to the waterfall is well worth the detour.
The GPS tracking was very helpful, as the snow obscures landmarks
The hike took about 5 hours + 1 hour for breaks/picnic.

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Vané01
Vané01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant hike.
A slightly tricky section at the end of the climb before the cross.
You then cross meadows with curious horses, which may even let you stroke them.
The waterfall is very accessible and well worth a detour, especially as it was frozen at the time.

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User 1606586

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

on a beautiful, warm day, a very nice hike with excellent signposting. Stunning views to feast your eyes on!

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mauvieuxthomas
mauvieuxthomas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views of the village of Les Bouchoux and its valley. The climb is a little steep at the beginning to reach the Croix des Couloirs, but the view is well worth the effort.

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Latav
Latav

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful wooded climb
A slightly tricky section before the cross for children
Magnificent panorama at the cross
Curious cows let you approach them
Gentle descent
Don't miss the slightly technical descent to the waterfall
Pleasant, sunny weather
A must-see

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Toine
Toine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike without any major difficulties. The climb up to the cross is a little tough, but it's worth the effort as the view is magnificent.
On the way down, you pass horses that let you stroke them! There are some aggressive dogs on the way to the waterfall, but they are behind a fence. However, there are two others that are free but not aggressive and let you stroke them.
The waterfall is stunning with ice still frozen in places!

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Alpha21
Alpha21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk apart from the very high steps down to the waterfall at the mill, which could be difficult for people with mobility issues, and a very small area that could be problematic for those prone to vertigo.
We enjoyed the walk in beautiful sunshine and, despite the temperature of 15°C on 16 September, it was very warm.
Beautiful waterfall with crystal-clear water that made us want to dip our feet in, but unfortunately it was in the shade.
We only met one other couple

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Baritrepler
Baritrepler
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Magnificent route. The climb to the cross is a little tough but not too long. Beautiful descent through flower-filled meadows. If you're feeling tired at the end of the route, you can save yourself the return trip to the waterfall.

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lunapaz
lunapaz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful and enjoyable hike, it's a real pleasure to listen to the silence of the valleys.

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Arathor 27210
Arathor 27210

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike with a spectacular finale at the waterfall
If you wish, and if you're afraid of heights, you can take the path reserved for donkeys

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patptout
patptout

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The tour was conducted in foggy conditions, so there were no views, but we could imagine what it would be like. At times, we were able to place our hands on rocky areas. It was a wonderful discovery of the cross

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PhilippeMoulling
PhilippeMoulling

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Did it with 4 children (aged 5, 6, 9 and 11)
Magnificent hike/waterfall.
Route modified, signs put in place

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AliceSi
AliceSi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with children aged 6 and 9. Very pleasant and not very crowded, even in mid-August.

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Marion VR
Marion VR ★

Hello everyone,
The route has been modified in partnership with the Haut-Jura Saint-Claude Com-Com and the author: it now leaves the PR at point 4 to take the shortcut to the waterfall at the mill and no longer passes through the path that led to the priory, which is now closed.

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