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.

Technical sheet

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

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 453 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 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

Practical information

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 49 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 1606586

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Jun 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Feb 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : 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
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Jan 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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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User 1082895

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike

WARNING!!!!

The path is still closed between points 5 and 6.
From point 4, follow the signs for "cascade du moulin" (mill waterfall).
This will prevent you from making a wasted return trip.

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titirangui
titirangui
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We loved this hike through forests and rolling flower-filled fields, passing through the Crète des Montagnes.
We enjoyed numerous viewpoints and the route means you don't spend too much time under the trees.
PLEASE NOTE: BETWEEN POINTS 5 AND 6 OF THE HIKE, THE TRAIL IS NOW CLOSED AND OFF-LIMITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We strongly advise hikers to find another route before descending the mountain and to avoid this section.
We realised this too late. We forced our way through and came face to face with a large Patou dog guarding a herd of goats. The dog was extremely aggressive and protective and gave us quite a fright.
Alerted by the barking, the owner arrived on a quad bike and literally shouted at us to explain that the path was closed because of his dog and how dangerous it was, as it had already bitten a hiker, tearing off their buttock.
The owner seemed really at the end of his tether, so we strongly advise avoiding this part of the hike, especially as there is an alternative route that is slightly shorter.
There are some explanations about this closure on the town hall square.
It does not appear that the hike will be open between points 5 and 6 in the near future.
The decision to close this section seems final.

That said, the hike is definitely worth it. The scenery is magnificent and the path is very quiet.

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Cédric 71
Cédric 71

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hello everyone,
A beautiful route with a stunning waterfall at the end of the hike.
At the start, there is a steep 1.5 km climb that leads to a magnificent view. Just behind the cross, there is a picnic table sheltered from the wind.
The descent to Petit Bouchoux is a bit slippery and the signage is not always clear, but the scenery is beautiful throughout.
Be careful at the mill farm if you have a dog, as several dogs, including a large St Bernard, came barking and tried to bite our dog.
The waterfall is very beautiful but the access is quite steep (there are steps to help).
Finally, the church in the village square is worth a visit.
Thank you for this route, which offers a variety of landscapes throughout.

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