Pic de l’Aigle and the Lookout Points on the Lakes

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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.

Technical sheet

n°121993
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.87 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 199 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 191 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 994 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 894 m
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Photos

Belvedere
The Pic de l'Aigle and the viewpoints on the lakes
The lakes
Village of la Chaux du Dombief

Description of the walk

Park in a car park of the Pic de l’Aigle (signs) north of the town of La Chaux-du-Dombief.

(S/E) Head on the Yellow-marked path to the north that winds through the forest. It quickly leads to stairs and just as quickly ends at the top of Pic de l’Aigle (1).

Continue to the north-east on this good path, and along a bumpy not too challenging path. Reach the first lookout point of the three lakes (2), namely the two Maclu Lakes (Grand Maclu and Petit Maclu) and the Lac de la Motte or the Lac d’Illay.

Continue in the same direction to quickly reach the second viewpoint with views of 4 lakes, the previous 3 and Lac de Narlay to the north-east (3).

Then return to the car park on the outbound path (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 894 m - Car park - Pic de l'aigle 994m
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 967 m - Pic de l'Aigle
  3. 2 : km 1.98 - alt. 928 m - First viewpoint
  4. 3 : km 2.43 - alt. 906 m - Bélvédère des Quatre Lacs
  5. S/E : km 4.87 - alt. 896 m - Pic de l'Aigle car park

Practical information

No water or shelter but benches for a nice break to admire these bodies of water.
Note on the route: the route of this trail was mapped on a smartphone with the Visorando application, it differs somewhat from the route on the map; this is due to the sometimes imprecise reception because the trees sometimes block the signal, but it is still very close.
Note on markings: Initially the signs indicate the Yellow markings (Pic de l'Aigle and Viewpoints) and the route is also marked in the Red-White of the GR®559A contrary to the map’s indications where this GR® follows the lakes’ shores.

In the nearby area

The walk along the Hérisson waterfalls are approximately 2 km from the start at the waterfall car park in the village of Illay. Find the description here.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during 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 87 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Phil.Cormier
Phil.Cormier

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, beware of markets and roots, circuit a little muddy. Beautiful views from the belvedere, the gradations of colour on the lakes are superb.

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Jerome54
Jerome54
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent views from the top of the Pic de l'Aigle, although the climb is steep and sporty. On the other hand, to get to the belvederes (views of the lakes), the route includes some fairly rough sections of path, which is why I wouldn't classify this hike as easy. I wouldn't recommend it for those who have difficulty walking.

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poetpouet
poetpouet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice circuit, but the climb up the stairs before the lookout is steep. The rest of the route is easy and in the shade. Very pleasant, great views of the lakes

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marcheursmulatière
marcheursmulatière

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Circuit a little difficult for the access to the peak of the wing, easier afterwards.

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Panfamily
Panfamily

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

We couldn't find out which car park it was for the start, so we took a guess. There was a lot of difference in altitude, so I don't know if we were on the right path.

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ABISA
ABISA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk

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Kinet
Kinet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very rainy weather on the day of the hike and very muddy path ....
We'll be back....

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Cyrille58&Andrée56
Cyrille58&Andrée56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk, not very easy; magnificent viewpoint

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Tauffe
Tauffe

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

Last 500 metres of the walk dangerous, risk of falling (cliff) We took the road right next to it for this part of the walk

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castel martine
castel martine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a very nice walk, although it's a bit of a challenge as the climb is steep, but there's a magnificent panorama at the top.

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Gondeaux
Gondeaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very complete and precise application.

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TAKI EDDINE MEDIOUNI SEMROUNI
TAKI EDDINE MEDIOUNI SEMROUNI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The circuit was really cool, it's just that the gps positioning was a bit inaccurate, but if you can read maps, that's fine.

Very good job

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mich.25
mich.25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

very good, fairly hilly route with sublime views

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chrishooter
chrishooter
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walks with magnificent views of the 4 lakes.

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Sophie241270
Sophie241270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A walk with lovely views of the lakes

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