The Saut du Doubs and the tour of Lake Moron

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A superb hike around Lake Moron, culminating in the Saut du Doubs and its 27-metre waterfall.

Details

n°254317
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,209 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,209 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,151 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 666 m
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Photos

Towards the rocks of Moron
stairs
Le Saut du Doubs
Wide-angle panorama of Lac de Moron

Description of the walk

Meet at the Barrage du Châtelot car park in the commune of Le Pissoux.

(S/E) Go down to the foot of the Barrage du Châtelot.

(1) Start on the left bank of the Doubs to reach the ford with the charming name of Ruelle de la Truite.

(2) Cross the Doubs on this ford, which takes you across the French-Swiss border. Then climb up along the bank to reach the dam, but this time on the Swiss side to take advantage of the early morning light for a good photo break. After this break, climb the 450m elevation gain to reach the Roches de Moron.

(3) During the climb, we recommend stopping at an interesting viewpoint on the left of the trail at a bend on the right.

(4) Continue the hike along the foot of the cliffs and admire the lake from the CAS viewpoint.

(5) Continue south-west along the contour line to reach the Belvédère des Recrettes.

(6) Shortly after this viewpoint, pass close to a chalet. At this point, leave the marked trail and follow the cliff to find a trail that enters the forest. Continue straight ahead until you find a marked trail towards the fork in the trail leading to the Saut du Doubs.

(7) Take the path that descends steeply to the right towards the Saut du Doubs.

(8) The Swiss viewpoint of the Saut du Doubs is not very spectacular. To find better viewpoints, you will need to return to French territory using the Gilbert Petit Jean footbridge. To do this, return to the trail and continue to follow the Doubs.

(9) On the French side, enjoy a bird's eye view of the Saut du Doubs. Then join theGR®5.

(10) Follow the lake shore. The path carved into the rock at the Entreroche bottleneck is worth a detour.
Shortly before reaching the Barrage du Châtelot, you will come to a rocky outcrop offering a final view of the dam and Lac de Moron (unmarked trail – look carefully on your right for a faint trail).

(11) Continue along the left bank of the lake to reach the upper level of the dam. Take the stairs on the left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 770 m - Parking - Barrage du Châtelot
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 718 m - Foot of the Châtelot Dam
  3. 2 : km 0.83 - alt. 672 m - Gué de la Ruelle de la Truite
  4. 3 : km 2.71 - alt. 825 m - Viewpoint
  5. 4 : km 3.95 - alt. 1,075 m - Les Roches de Moron
  6. 5 : km 5.26 - alt. 1,106 m - CAS viewpoint
  7. 6 : km 7.13 - alt. 1,048 m - Belvédère des Recrettes
  8. 7 : km 8.71 - alt. 948 m - Descent to the Saut du Doubs
  9. 8 : km 9.95 - alt. 728 m - Viewpoint on the Swiss side - Saut du Doubs
  10. 9 : km 10.51 - alt. 754 m - Gilbert Petit Jean footbridge
  11. 10 : km 11.2 - alt. 751 m - Viewpoint at the foot of the waterfall
  12. 11 : km 12.33 - alt. 732 m - Goulot d'Entreroche
  13. S/E : km 14.78 - alt. 770 m - Parking - Barrage du Châtelot

Notes

(4) At Les Roches de Moron, you can quench your thirst or satisfy your hunger at the inn of the same name.

(9) Once again, you can quench your thirst at various shops on both the Swiss and French sides.

Worth a visit

(1) Châtelot Dam:
Its dimensions:
- Height: 74 metres
- Crest length: 150 metres
- Thickness at the top: 2 metres
It was commissioned in 1953 after three years of construction. Straddling the French-Swiss border, its management could only be bilateral. It is 50% owned by EDF and 50% by several Swiss companies.
The 20,600,000 m3 of water it holds can generate 100,000 MWh (roughly the annual consumption of 30,000 households according to ADEME figures). The dam is normally accessible, but the Vigipirate security plan has decided otherwise. It should also be noted that in the event of flooding, the excess water flows over the dam and crashes down 74 metres below.

(9) Information about the view of the Doubs: In my opinion, this bird's-eye view overwhelms the waterfall and does not do justice to its 27 metres. The best view is at the foot of the waterfall (unmarked and potentially difficult path: hiking boots essential).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 34 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 14338503

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to report

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oriana.lc
oriana.lc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A superb hike with breathtaking views of the Doubs throughout.
However, around point 7, it's better to follow the signs to Saut du Doubs rather than the track as the path is very crowded.

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Mariefifi90
Mariefifi90

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I was familiar with the simple tour of Lac de Moron. This was a discovery tour of its heights and the viewpoints were much appreciated. We came across two chamois, which were not shy . In conclusion, this is a hike worth doing, we really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing

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Davsrv
Davsrv

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

Very nice walk, easy to follow with the gpx track integrated into the watch, but would benefit from better signposting in 2-3 places.
On the other hand, the distance advertised is not the right one: the route is closer to 18km than the 15km advertised.

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pauldubois
pauldubois
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Another great discovery by Visorando (and by the author of this hike). I arrived at the small car park at around 9am, with a light mist beginning to rise from the valley floor. The first views of the dam, still in the half-light, and then the small ford (which I missed the first time) to cross the Doubs were perfect for taking some great photos right from the start. After that, we warmed up our thighs with a good D+ until we reached some magnificent panoramas! Between points 5 and 7, my inseparable friend 'vertigo' called me to order on this little path that crosses several coulees. I wouldn't recommend this section to children. Then it's back down and we can take our time to enjoy the Saut du Doubs. I agree with one of the previous comments: on the way down, avoid the little "U" and follow -> Le saut du Doubs. The little hook gets us a bit lost between dead trees and rocks. On the way back to the other side of the river, it's a smooth ride to the stairs that will take you back to the starting car park.
Conclusion: A fine hike, with a good D+ that requires a little bit of condition and some eye-popping views!

Distance: 16.4km
D+: 950m
Time: 3h05 (fast walk)

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richardd
richardd

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk with beautiful views, we saw 2 chamois, great view over the reservoir and the Châtelot dam, the Saut de Doubs as majestic as ever.descending between points 7 and 8 the place and noted old coast, altitude 850 m or so you have to continue straight down, (no need to make the U as on the map the path is impassable, trees across).
It's a shame the sun wasn't out.

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scorpsy
scorpsy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very nice circuit

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GISORANDO
GISORANDO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very fine walk in fine weather, with some very fine views.
Much of the route is shaded.
The walk, which is given as approximately 15 km, is actually 19 km long. This needs to be changed.
The difficult climb of around 4 km can be done at your own pace. You are rewarded on arrival with a superb viewpoint.
The only downside is that the Doubs jump was already dry 😣 which makes you wonder ....
I highly recommend this hike .
There were 13 of us and everyone was enthusiastic.

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Gill 90
Gill 90
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route completed in early February 2023 with snow on the highest parts. The route is punctuated by some very pretty viewpoints over the lake and is very pleasant from start to finish. For photographers, it's best to plan this hike for spring or autumn so that the sun shines well over the ridges and you get good light and beautiful reflections of the lake. Please note that this is not a family hike and is for people in good physical condition/ The climb up to the Moron rocks is quite difficult. What's more, the lookouts are not always very safe and could be dangerous for children. Finally, dogs should be kept on a lead as there are many chamois on the ridges.

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francoisedesert
francoisedesert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike completed on 12 september 2022; superb weather; fairly demanding circuit; the gradient is noticeable; the Pillichody path; aerial but well maintained; very pleasant; the jump over the Doubs; totally dry is still worthwhile for its originality.Go a little further than the petitjean footbridge to see the turning basin for the doubs basin shuttles; and the riverbed; which has become a picturesque grassy field; it's hard to believe that the doubs passes through here in ordinary weather.

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Did@posat
Did@posat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent loop, the highlights: the view from the Moron hills (on the Swiss side) and the border crossing on the Douds via the ford in the ruelle de la Truite. We did the walk from Les Brenets station (Switzerland), where there are many TER trains.

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fburton
fburton

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk in the shade on a hot day

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Fred Bouvrot
Fred Bouvrot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We've taken friends on this tour several times, and they've always been as enthusiastic about us as we are about them, and they've come back delighted.

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Alex Deldevaudes
Alex Deldevaudes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike alternating between superb viewpoints and curiosities (dam, ford, caves, waterfalls, wildlife).
It took 5 hours and 38 minutes to complete, with plenty of photo breaks.
There are plenty of picnic spots along the way.
Passage along the cornice path (superb) which is sometimes impressive and can be dangerous in certain weather conditions (very narrow + slippery + empty). If you have children under 12, take the easy route on the Swiss side.

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xerocrete
xerocrete

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice hike from the Vions car park above the Saut du Doubs.
The aerial path "Pillichody" point 4 is very tricky in places: narrow and slippery, not to mention sometimes vertiginous.
This should be mentioned in the description, especially as it was off-limits when we did the hike.
The views over the meandering Doubs are very beautiful.

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