(S/E) The car park at the end of the lake has easy access and allows you to start the walk along the 'Petit' (small) and the 'Grand' (large) Maclu's lakes smoothly.
Take the large path following the Petit Maclu's lake then the Grand Maclu's Lake.
(1)When you reach the end of the Grand Maclu's lake continue on this large path slightly uphill before turning right, leading to the lake of Ilay's shore (also called 'Lac de la Motte').
(2) At the intersection turn right to stay near the lake. Follow this path until you reach the road D75. (3)Cross the road and follow the track leading to the place known as 'La fromagerie'.
(4) Once there, turn right and follow another large track that leads you first through the forest then later through meadows. After about 2km you'll reach an intersection, turn right towards the village Frasnois. (6)Near the village, turn left and follow the path along the village, passing by a statue of a Virgin. Then turn right to reach the village centre, and continue to walk for a little while.
(7) Leave the departmental road to the right, and take the little road that leads you straight to the municipal campsite.
Enter the campsite and head towards the beach. Before getting to the beach, take the track on the left-hand side which will take you around the Narlay lake (turning right will take you back to your starting point quicker).
(8) Walk along this track which will lead you through Narlay, continue on the right side along the lake. Always stay on this large path which turns slightly around the lake.
(9) This track leads you to a small car park, continue on the paved road until it turns left, staying on the path. Once you reach the departmental road, cross it to get back to your starting point.(S/E)
A hike around the four lakes
A hike to do preferentially during fall to admire the beautiful colors of the Indian summer reflecting off the lakes.
Technical sheet
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 11.52 km -
Average duration: 3h 40 -
Difficulty: Easy -
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Back to start: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 118 m -
Vertical drop: - 115 m -
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Highest point: 806 m -
Lowest point: 748 m
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Country:
France
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Areas: Jura mountains, Haut-Jura -
District:
Le Frasnois (39130) -
Start/End: N 46.633593° / E 5.919527° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 3326ET, 3327OT -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 778 m - Lac du Petit Maclu
- 1 : km 1.87 - alt. 784 m - Lac du Grand Maclu
- 2 : km 3.15 - alt. 775 m - Lac de la Motte ou d'Ilay
- 3 : km 3.6 - alt. 775 m - Lac de la Motte car park
- 4 : km 4.16 - alt. 779 m - La Fromagerie
- 5 : km 6.11 - alt. 775 m - Carrefour le Frasnois
- 6 : km 6.47 - alt. 783 m - Le Frasnois
- 7 : km 7.12 - alt. 800 m - Virgin crossroads
- 8 : km 7.83 - alt. 759 m - Campsite
- 9 : km 10.76 - alt. 776 m - Crossroads
- S/E : km 11.51 - alt. 778 m - Lac du Petit Maclu
Practical information
It's possible to swim in various spots during the hike.
In the nearby area
L'auberge du Hérisson. (Herisson's Hostel)
Les cascades du Hérisson. (Herisson's Waterfalls)
Reviews and comments
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.6 / 5
Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Hike done on a very sunny autumn day. No difficulties, a few slightly wet sections but worth doing again. Really very pleasant.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A magnificent hike around the lakes, peaceful, not too crowded, under bright sunshine. We took a slight detour off the marked trail to get to Saut Girard Nord (a sign we found along the route), which I recommend. It's a short 1.4 km detour, but well worth it. We were able to take some great photos! Be careful at the end of the hike when crossing the road to get back to the car park... this hike comes highly recommended! To get a view from above, we walked 400 metres from the car park to the 4 Lakes viewpoint (the Eagle Peak viewpoint is a little further away). It was wonderful to look back on our route from above...
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Overall rating : 3.7 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No
The first half, which runs alongside the first three lakes, is pleasant and easy. However, the second part, which leads to Lake Narlay, is not particularly interesting. Furthermore, at the end of the loop, the path is difficult to walk on as it has been churned up by agricultural machinery (near a riding centre)
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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 : Yes
First time using the app, I'm very pleased with it
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
A lovely walk along the ponds.
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Very beautiful shaded hike
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A very beautiful hike along magnificent lakes. A pleasant walk in hot weather
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
A beautiful, peaceful hike.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Lovely hike, beautiful views from the Pic, beware of the markets on arrival at the Pic.
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Overall rating : 3.7 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
It's a shame that the start of the walk (markings) lacks precision.
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We set off from La Fromagerie, then followed the description. The route was a little monotonous, with the exception of the church at Le Frasnois.
Arriving at the Petit Maclu car park (the start of the description), we took the belvedere route and the Pic de l'Aigle: magnificent views of the lakes.
After the Pic de l'Aigle, we took the GR 559 back to the Fromagerie; this part is also very beautiful.
In all, it took 4 hours 50 minutes, but the detour via the Belvederes and the Pic de l'Aigle is well worth it.
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