Morbier walks

Morbier forms part of the cultural and historical region of Franche-Comté. The village is renowned for its eponymous cheese, its cross-country skiing area and its clock-making industry. Indeed, around 1660, the Mayet brothers crafted their first clocks in this village and, in the 19th century, Morbier, along with Morez, was the capital of Comtois clock-making. The village of Morbier overlooks the Morez gorge and forms part of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park.

From Morez, I suggest a lovely route overlooking the Bienne Valley, mainly through woodland, with a few scenic viewpoints. The length of the route and a few steep slopes are the main challenges (see the Practical Information section).

This route, starting from Morez, will take you around the banks of the Bienne and its Trou Bleu, as well as the Saillard Viaduct, crossing two Himalayan-style footbridges. Information boards are placed at various points along the route.

A varied route, alternating between meadows and forests, leading to La Roche Devant with its viewpoint offering a view over the Bienne valley. The route then passes the Trois Commères site – rocks resembling huge menhirs – and on to the Balcon des Crottes, withviews of the viaducts of the Ligne des Hirondelles railway line and the town of Morez.

Starting from the ‘Bienne Space-Time Gate’ sculpture, discover the Trou Bleu resurgence – also known as Doye Gabet – and the Himalayan footbridge over the Bienne, set in magnificent surroundings. Please note: the starting point is not accessible to motor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

A walk through the Marais forest, taking in a vantage point, the Roche Devant, overlooking the Bellefontaine valley.

Above Bellefontaine lies the Bois de Chaux Mourant forest. From the Roche Devant viewpoint, you can see the Risoux massif.

The shores of Lake Bellefontaine with a possible detour to the La Roche Bernard viewpoint (2 km round trip) to continue along the shores of Lake Mortes followed by the stream, village and forest of the same name.

From Bellefontaine, located at an altitude of 1,000 metres in the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, straddling France and Switzerland in the Risoux Massif, you will discover exceptional panoramic views from La Roche Bernard (1,290 metres) and La Roche Champion, over the Val de Mouthe, the lake plateau and the Mont Noir forest. The route climbs 300 metres and requires a good level of fitness.

Fourteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. For this stage, you will begin your adventure in Bellefontaine, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the Jura. The hike will take you through the heights of the town of Morez and across the Bienne Valley, where you can admire spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Along the way, you will reach Les Rousses, a welcoming town with authentic charm. Don't miss a visit to the Fort des Rousses, an impressive historical site that also houses the Comté cheese cellars, where you can discover how this renowned local cheese is made. From there, you will continue your descent to the Bief de la Chaille, a peaceful and enchanting place. The hike ends at the La Grenotte lodge in Prémanon, an ideal place to rest and enjoy the surrounding serenity.

A lovely circular route in the vicinity of Les Rousses: starting from the Belvédère des Maquisards, the route climbs to Mont Fier via the valley of the same name, then returns via the Croix de la Teppe and the village of Prémanon. The short sections of difficulty are minimal overall.

Starting from the Belvédère des Maquisards, the route takes you along a path that runs largely through the undergrowth, allowing you to discover the old Pont Perroud and the magnificent Bief de la Chaille waterfall, nestled at the bottom of the Gorges de la Chaille.

This short route allows you to discover Lac des Rousses, the only lake in Franche-Comté located in the basin that flows towards Switzerland and the Rhine. It is surrounded by peat bogs and you can discover remarkable flora and fauna . In summer, you can swim in its clear, shallow waters, enjoy the water sports centre or contemplate the beauty of the surrounding landscapes, and in winter, watch the skaters and iceboats when the lake is frozen .

The landscape and soul of Grandvaux are revealed throughout this iconic route: forest valleys, meadows and pastures, and the church by the lake.

A journey to the heart of water... nourishing for people and their animals in the countryside, driving force for industry in the city. Explore the typical landscapes of the Haut-Jura: forests, valleys, pastures, gorges, lakes, peat bogs and rivers.

This route is designed for electric hybrid bikes; you will not find any signposts along the way.Your route will take you along tarmac roads, carriageways, footpaths, forest tracks, etc. Given that you will be passing through a relatively long old railway tunnel and considering the length of the route, be sure to bring a torch or other lighting and a spare battery.

A journey to the heart of the water... to the heart of the history of Grandvaux. Discover the peaceful landscapes around Lac de l'Abbaye. Take plenty of breaks and uncover the secrets of the lake and its peat bogs from the image silo.This route is designed specifically for electric hybrid bikes, due to its elevation, distance and terrain.There are no markings along the route.

This is a peaceful, family-friendly and easy route that takes you through the typical landscapes of Grandvaux: forests, woodlands, pastures and dirt tracks... A walk starting from the centre of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux.

A family trail starting from Les Rousses, offering views over the peat bog on the edge of Lac des Rousses.

First stage: From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. After passing through La Cure, you will enter Switzerland and reach Saint-Cergue. A road will take you through the Jura pastures to the ruins of the Oujon convent. From Les Frasses, a steep forest path leads to a panoramic viewpoint. The climb continues through enchanting scenery, between flower-filled meadows and chalets, towards Crêt de la Neuve, the highest point of the stage. Here you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, the Vaud Alps and Mont Blanc. The hike ends in the Vaud Jura Park, along a pretty forest path leading to the Col de Marchairuz (1,446 m).

This exceptional hike links Les Rousses, in the heart of the French Haut-Jura, to the city of Constance (Konstanz), on the shores of the lake of the same name, following the ridges of the Swiss Jura. A demanding but magnificent 405 km route that crosses the most iconic landscapes of the Jura mountains: high-altitude pastures, deep forests, alpine viewpoints, villages steeped in history and forgotten military ruins.

Les Rousses is a commune in the Jura department. Located in the Haut-Jura, on the border with Switzerland, it is the main commune of the Les Rousses ski resort, a major downhill skiing area comprising Les Rousses, Bois-d’Amont, Lamoura and Prémanon. The fort is open to visitors. A lovely forest walk along pretty paths, with a short stretch along a road and a beautiful waterfall.

On a 9.5 km route around the lake, three separate interpretation stations allow you to discover this natural site in Grandvaux. To be done on foot, with good walking shoes or snowshoes when there is enough snow.

An easy hike covering varied landscapes of pastures, forests and lakeshores, with two viewpoints offering beautiful views of the Jura plateau.

A short, shaded and pleasant family trail, allowing you to discover the Lac des Rouges Truites bog and its fragile and unique ecosystem, which is a delight for nature lovers: rare plant species and animal species, some of which are endangered, live happily here.

A beautiful hike across the Swiss peaks bordering the frontier, offering spectacular views of Lake Geneva, the Lake Geneva basin and Mont Blanc, weather permitting. A steep climb takes you to the magnificent site of the Creux du Croue; continuing the ascent, you reach the summit of the Noirmont des Francais, and further on, the Noirmont. A long descent through the ski slopes will take you to the other side of the mountain, where you’ll begin a long climb through the mountain pastures. After passing several farms, a short detour to Mont Sâla will reward you with a wonderful panorama. After a brief stop at the curious Creux de la Neige, the return journey halfway up the slope, passing various farms, will offer you views of Lac des Rousses and the village of Bois d'Amont.

Mont Sala offers remarkable views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, particularly its highest peak.Important note mentioned by a hiker: this route is located in an area regulated by the Federal District of Le Noirmont; in winter, only marked trails are authorised in order to preserve wildlife, so access to Crêt des Danses and summit 1515 is prohibited.

At the foot of the cliffs of the Risoux forest lies a patchwork of marshes and peat bogs. From the top of the Roche Bernard promontory, the small glacial lakes of Les Mortes and Bellefontaine are like jewels. An exceptional walk.

Starting from Lac de Bellefontaine and Lac des Mortes, which straddle the border between the Doubs and the Jura, this circular route takes you past magnificent viewpoints on the Swiss border, notably those at La Roche Bernard, Le Gît de l’Échelle and La Roche Champion.

Explore the surroundings of Prémanon. From the Belvédère des Maquisards, above the Morez cluse, to the coolness of the leat de la Chaille gorges, this is a fairly easy and varied route with a mix of forest, geology and history.

Close to the village of Les Rousses and its famous fort, this route offers quick access to a small, secluded spot featuring the magnificent Bief de la Chaille waterfall, nestled at the back of the Gorges de la Chaille.

A snowshoe hike, very well signposted. A well-trodden trail (at least due to the number of visitors). Mostly set in open countryside on the edge of the woods. A tasty refreshment stop awaits you on arrival, with a warm welcome for those who wish it. You can easily extend the walk to La Roche Bernard (1.6 km one way) and return via the same route.

Fifteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. In the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, this stage will quickly take you to the highest point, the Belvédère des Dappes. This is followed by a crossing of the Forêt du Massacre, rich in exceptional flora and fauna, with varied landscapes alternating between thick forests and open valleys. You will also discover some curiosities and pretty summer chalets. Enjoy this beautiful forest, taking care not to stray from the marked paths and trails to preserve the tranquillity of the area! From the Combe à la Chèvre and its tall gentians, you will reach the village of Lajoux, home to the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park.

This circular route, entirely within Switzerland, takes you through the beautiful Jura valleys near the resort of Les Rousses. After climbing up to Le Noirmont, you’ll reach Mont Sâla via the Creux du Croue. If the weather is clear, there are magnificent views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The route is not particularly difficult, but the climb up to Le Noirmont is quite steep and quite long. This round trip, with the descent via the same route, is in fact a lovely hike in its own right (allow for an elevation gain of around 500 metres).

This Franco-Swiss route offers beautiful views of the Orbe valley from the Roche du Creux viewpoint on the border.

A veritable natural patchwork unfolds before your eyes as you walk along the ridge overlooking the two villages; in summer, the dense, dark holly bushes contrast sharply with the vivid green of the pastures, the ochre of the peat bogs, and the bluish hues of the lakes. As autumn sets in, this scene is enhanced by the sepia tones of the reddish leaves, which winter will cover with its white blanket for a few months. The onset of spring will bring the colour palette of this mosaic of landscapes back to life.

There are several viewpoints to discover along the French-Swiss border, allowing you to return more calmly via the Madone peat bogs. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

A quick route to the Mont Fier viewpoint, which overlooks the village of Prémanon. The viewpoint offers a 270° view of the Orbe Valley, taking in the surrounding peaks of La Dôle and Le Noirmont via the Fort des Rousses.

The Rando des Passeurs in Chapelle-des-Bois changes its route every year. For those who are unable to do it in June, here is a hike that takes you through Mont-Noir and Risoux on trails used by the Passeurs de Chapelle-des-Bois. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

Entering the forest can be daunting. It would be a shame to give up. Indeed, you cannot claim to have got to know Chapelle-des-Bois without having tried to explore it. After all, it covers two-thirds of the village’s total area. It is also a way to discover the village’s history and understand the local economy. ⚠️ 15 November to 15 March: This walk crosses cross-country ski trails which are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the trail groomers, please do not walk on the trails.

A superb hike starting from the Chapelle des Bois with beautiful countryside and forest landscapes, not to mention the Lac des Mortes and Lac de Bellefontaine. In winter, this circuit can easily be done on snowshoes, allowing you to discover the frozen lakes. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers , we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

A very pleasant walk in the Chapelle des Bois plain, a mecca for Nordic skiing in the Jura. ⚠️ From 15/11 to 15/03: This hike crosses Nordic ski trails that are groomed in winter. Out of respect for skiers and the work of the ski patrollers, we kindly ask you not to walk on the trails.

A pleasant route through the Massif des Tuffes to explore the highest point of the Les Rousses alpine ski resort.

Without doubt, the shortest path up to the summit of La Dôle (1677m altitude) from the French side of the border. In good weather, the views are breathtaking and go on for over 250km: from the Swiss Alps to Mont Blanc and on to the Vanoise and the Ecrins, all of this with plunging views down over Geneva and its lake.

A walk through unspoilt nature, across meadows, woods and scree slopes, following beautiful valleys with views of the Alps. The highlight of this walk is, of course, the Creux du Croue, a deep and magnificent depression.

This route respects the work of the piste groomers in winter. It is a magnificent walk which, from the arrival at the Col de Porte, allows you to admire the view of Lake Geneva and the Alps, including Mont Blanc, for the rest of the route.

A lovely circular walk starting from the Givrine train stop on the Nyon–Saint-Cergues–Morez line. A gentle stroll through the pastures of the Swiss Jura, a stone’s throw from the French border, which presents no particular difficulty. Many sections are tarmac-surfaced, but you can walk on the short grass at the side of the path at any time.

This beautiful hike will take you to the summit of La Dôle at an altitude of 1,677 metres, where you can enjoy breathtaking views. A steep path through the mountain pastures will lead you to this unmistakable peak with its dome housing the Geneva airport radar. On the descent, you will no doubt see herds of chamois frolicking in the scree below the summit ridge. The rest of the route takes you along dirt tracks, roads and grassy paths over much less rugged terrain, but often offering magnificent views.

From the rocky ridge that marks the transition from the lake region to the Grandvaux plateau, the Pic de l'Aigle and the Belvédère des Quatre Lacs emerge during a wooded and lakeside walk.

Very nice and easy walk above the lakes of the Jura, Maclu and Illay. Important note regarding parking: this site is particularly busy and has three car parks numbered P1, P2 and P3. We strongly recommend parking in car park P1, which can be accessed via this link.

A superb walk offering magnificent views of the lake district, with numerous vantage points. Much less crowded, the stretch between the village of La Chaux-du-Dombief and Lac de Bonlieu offers the peace and tranquillity of the forest. The return route along the lakeshores is easier on the calves, but incredibly beautiful, especially at the end of the day during the golden hour. As you walk along the ridges skirting the shores, your eyes will be treated to a variety of colours and light, and a wide range of landscapes.

A hike to do preferentially during fall to admire the beautiful colors of the Indian summer reflecting off the lakes.