Les Planchettes walks

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

The Doubs river flows through 35 kilometres of deep, winding gorges from Villers-le-Lac to Goumois. You will only cover a few of them, from Lac de Moron, bordered by high cliffs forming a semicircle, to the Grotte du Grenier, where even human constructions cannot detract from the riches of the wild natural environment.

Depart from Le Pissoux, descend to the Grotte de Grenier above the Doubs and cross the river on stepping stones, allowing you to cross dry-shod downstream from the Châtelot dam, followed by the magnificent marked trail on the right bank of the Doubs (Lac du Moron) on the Swiss side. At the Saut du Doubs, head back and forth to the Tête de Calvin to see the meanders of the Doubs basins stretching from Viller-le-Lac to the Saut du Doubs from above, then cross the Doubs via the footbridge upstream of the Saut du Doubs, pass by the viewpoints overlooking the Saut du Doubs and climb directly up through the forest to Le Pissoux, via the Belvédère du Châtelard overlooking Lac de Moron.

You will walk through the beautiful forests of Mont Châtelard, interspersed with high, wild cliffs reflected in the green waters of Lac de Moron, an artificial lake created by the Châtelot dam. Then, descending into the gorge, you will walk along its steep banks, guided by the murmur of the waterfall towards the unmissable Saut du Doubs.

This walk is a marvellous way to explore the beautiful Saut du Doubs.

First, visit the viewpoint overlooking the Doubs basins. Cross into Switzerland via the footbridge, then head towards Les Brenets. Climb up to the Jurgensen Tower, where you will be rewarded with a magnificent 360° panorama of the region. On the way back, take a short detour to Calvin's Head, where you will see its spectacular hole. If you visit it, be careful, it is dangerous! A superb hike in a magnificent setting.

This hike allows you to discover the Saut du Doubs and walk around Lake Moron on both the Swiss and French sides, crossing the border at the ford.

The Saut du Doubs is a major tourist attraction in the region. This hike will allow you to discover it and also enjoy the surrounding landscapes, continuing on to the Chatelot dam.

A route allowing you to discover the bucolic landscapes of the Neuchâtel Jura, as well as the Communal de La Sagne and the enchanting Pouette Combe with its Grande Grotte. This itinerary, accessible by public transport, is ideal in spring or autumn.

A short hike through the Grand Bois forest in the commune of Le Russey. Here you will see one of the largest fir trees and farms with the typical tuyé (or tué), a kind of large chimney for smoking meat.

Nestled between steep, seemingly impassable cliffs, the Franco-Swiss Doubs Valley features steep paths, the ‘Couleuses’, which allow you to explore the wild, verdant gorges of this torrent as it surges between the enormous moss-covered rocks that have tumbled from the cliffs over the millennia. Return via picturesque cliff-top paths, passing three viewpoints overlooking the valley.

Set off to explore this magnificent trail, from La Roche and Côte de Moron, including the "Pillichody" trail (a high-altitude path, not suitable for children, impassable in winter) – sure-footedness is essential! The path is very narrow in places, with cables in place to secure the tricky sections. The Jurgensen Tower, which is often open, is located along the route. There is a panoramic view of Villers-le-Lac, Les Brenets and the valley. Do not attempt this hike in wet weather.

Eighth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From the Col de la Vue des Alpes, the flower-filled route winds through pastures to Mont d'Amin, offering a vast panorama of the Mittelland and the Chasseral massif. A long descent then leads to Les Vieux Prés, whose bocage landscape is reminiscent of Normandy: hedges, trees and dry stone walls delimit the plots. After the farming village of Le Pâquier, the trail crosses the Combe Biosse, a limestone gorge carved out by erosion, before reaching the Chasseral ridge, with the Alps and the lakes of Morat, Biel and Neuchâtel as a backdrop.

Are you only going to do one of these hikes? Then choose to explore this valley, a pure marvel! To start with, the Gorges du Doubs, which are full of sunny green beauty here. Then there are the light-filled forests towards Roche Guillaume and the mountain pastures, which overlook the valley. And the highlight: the Gorges de la Ronde, wild, lush and tropical in appearance, framed by high rocks, a world of stones, moss and ferns.

From the picturesque village of Bizot, with its farms, courthouse and 16th-century church, the route takes you up a superb steep ridge path to the ruins of Réaumont Castle. You return via the peat bogs, skirting piles of stones gathered from fields and the Étang des Belles Seignes lake.

Set off to explore the Combe de Biaufond (in Switzerland) with its series of metal ladders, wooden staircases, fixed footbridges and bridges. Magical! Not recommended for those prone to vertigo. A mountain trail, therefore, difficult in places. Then the Cerneux-Godat viewpoint and the Moulin de la Mort on the banks of the Doubs. From a natural perspective, Biaufond’s main feature is its lake, which makes it a key wintering spot for the region’s waterbirds. But for everyone else, it is above all a magnificent destination for a walk and a meal by the water’s edge, at the crossroads of borders steeped in history.

Starting from La Sagne, you will go to Tête de Ran (1,422 m) via Combe des Quignets. From there, take the Chemin des Crêtes to Mont Racine (1,439 m), where you will have a view of Lake Neuchâtel and the Alps. At the end of the Chemin des Crêtes, head towards the Chemin des Statues to finish your hike: sculptures carved from tree stumps by Georges-André Favre over a period of 35 years.

Beautiful views, a lovely setting and an unusual part of the hike, crossing the death ladders.

There are no danger points on these ladders. This site, steeped in history, bears witness to the fear once inspired by these legendary places, the scene of many fatal accidents during the "bricotte" (smuggling) era, when the ladders were nothing more than tree trunks crossed by pieces of wood. Today, these comfortable family staircases, which you can climb safely, will allow you to discover the Doubs Gorges from a variety of viewpoints.

Start with a view of the Alps on a clear day, then the Belherbe plateau and the Lomont wind turbines. Visit Frambouhans Church to see a polychrome wooden statue of Saint Sebastian and a 16th-century Pietà. Cool off at the Grotte du Glaçon and finish with a visit to the strange circular Gallo-Roman drinking trough, the lavogne, which is unique in Franche-Comté.

Discover a peat bog, beautiful coniferous forests, a cave and a lavogne. Lovely views of the Haut-Doubs with its Montbéliard cattle and beautiful Comtois dogs.

The ladders are likely to remain closed until autumn. From the ‘Ladders of Death’ to the ‘Old Ladies’, here are two places that conjure up many poetic images. The ladders turn out to be comfortable, family-friendly staircases. As for these old ladies, they offer a wild view of the Franco-Swiss Doubs valley. Return via the peaceful riverbanks, a haven for ducks and anglers.

Superb hike in the Doubs Gorges offering magnificent panoramic views of the gorges and the surrounding Swiss Jura peaks. To get there, you will need to pass through the famous Échelles de la Mort, which are impressive but relatively easy to climb. Once you reach the ridge, you will go from the Cendrée viewpoint to the Vieilles Femelles viewpoint via the Crampoulotte viewpoint, before descending to the banks of the river via the magnificent Charbonnière du Haut site. The return journey is along a bucolic path with a pretty waterfall at the Ulysse bridge.

From Bonnétage church, you will quickly climb up to the viewpoint on the plateau and, in the distance, the snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Alps. You will cross pastures lined with murgers, charming dry stone walls, and fir forests typical of the Haut-Doubs, walk along deep sinkholes, descend into the hollow of the peat bog and finally, from a rocky ridge, overlook the vast Etang du Moulin lake.

The ladders will probably be closed until autumn. Along picturesque, steep paths, winding through a jumble of mossy rocks, La Crampoulotte and its old ladies offer wild views of the Doubs valley. After a stop at the old charcoal kiln, you will walk along the peaceful banks of the river, a haven for ducks and fishermen. Then, facing the Échelles de la Mort (Ladders of Death), which turn out to be comfortable family stairs, you will make a sporty return via the evocative Couleuse aux Loups.