Reculée des Planches starting from the Belvédère de Pupillin

A circular route starting from Pupillin that allows you to discover this Jura valley, its viewpoint, its Cascade des Tufs waterfall and the small village of Les Planches-près-Arbois. This route follows the Chemin du Facteur and the Allée de Rome with its Foyard Président.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 523 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 533 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 596 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 328 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Pupillin viewpoint.

(S/E) At the end of the access road to the viewpoint, turn left and descend towards the village, then turn right after the cheese dairy onto Rue du Savagnin. Continue climbing to the cemetery and turn right. Pass a pumping station and a relay antenna, then at the crossroads, head towards Fer à Cheval. At the next crossroads, follow the sign for "Fer à Cheval".

(1) Follow this stony path known as Chemin du Facteur (a tarmac section for a few metres) for about 2 km. After a left-hand bend and a short climb, you will find a grassy path on the right.

(2) Follow this path downhill for about 150 m and, in a hollow, take a narrow path next to the tree.
(see photo)

(3) Take this passage, stay to the right of the fir tree and head towards the cave. Retrace your steps back to Chemin du Facteur.

(2) Continue to the right, then stay to the right in the bend (do not take the path with the no entry sign). At the crossroads, take the path on the left with the 30 km/h sign. A little further on, continue straight ahead along the path that leads into the woods until you reach the end.

(4) Turn right and at the next crossroads, at elevation 561, keep left.

(5) Just before a sign saying "balise à 150 m" (marker 150 m ahead), turn right. About 100 m further on, continue to the left, following theGR® markings. After the steep climb, keep left then go straight ahead and follow the track. When you reach the road, turn left towards the car park.
At the end of the car park, cross carefully to the left of the inn, where there is a tourist sign, and head towards the viewpoint.

(6) Walk along the right-hand side of the balustrade and further along theGR® marked trail. When you reach the crossroads at an altitude of 540 metres, take the road towards Vieux Mont (no entry sign). Walk down this long road, pass Vieux Mont, marked by a sign, and follow the direction of Reculée des Planches.

(7) When you reach the village, at the fountain, turn left onto Rue de la Cascade. Continue straight on until you see a sign for "Cascade des Tufs" and follow the directions.

(8) After the waterfall, continue along the path, cross the metal footbridge and turn right. Follow the path, which becomes a street at the street lamp. At the end of this street, turn left and go up the road (D339). At the hairpin bend, turn right into the wide entrance and then immediately take the path on the left that climbs uphill. Cross the road carefully and continue along this path.

(9) At the top, continue to the right towards Allée de Rome. Stay on this path near the cliff for about 2.2 km, then turn left, following theGR® markings. At the next intersection, turn right onto the carriageway until you see a sign on the right indicating "le Foyard Président".

(10) Continue and at the first crossroads go straight ahead, then keep left, following theGR® markings until you reach the wooden calvary on the right at an altitude of 505 metres.

(11) Please note: there are several signs for Pupillin, so follow the signs for "Pupillin 500 m". In the village, turn right onto Rue Abbé Guichard, then left onto Rue Bagier. At the stop sign, continue left and head up towards the viewpoint, towards Buvilly, then at the 30 km/h speed limit sign, take the access road to the viewpoint (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 483 m - Car park at - Belvédère de Pupillin
  2. 1 : km 1.59 - alt. 575 m - Hiking signposts
  3. 2 : km 3.61 - alt. 591 m - Starting point of the trail to Cave de Nankia
  4. 3 : km 3.76 - alt. 574 m - Passage to the Cave de Nankia
  5. 4 : km 5 - alt. 563 m - Fork in the road
  6. 5 : km 6.35 - alt. 539 m - Signpost 150 m away.
  7. 6 : km 7.24 - alt. 542 m - Belvédère du Fer à Cheval
  8. 7 : km 9.1 - alt. 328 m - Fountain - Cuisance (rivière)
  9. 8 : km 9.93 - alt. 354 m - Cascade des Tufs
  10. 9 : km 12.04 - alt. 520 m - Hiking signposts
  11. 10 : km 13.74 - alt. 485 m - Foyard Président (hêtre)
  12. 11 : km 15.57 - alt. 504 m - Wooden calvary
  13. S/E : km 16.81 - alt. 480 m - Car park at - Belvédère de Pupillin

Notes

Picnic tables at the Belvédère de Pupillin and in the village of Les Planches-près-Arbois, next to the church.

Some steep climbs, walking sticks recommended.

Worth a visit

Belvédère de Pupillin with a view of the vineyards.
Cirque du Fer à Cheval viewpoint.
Cascade des Tufs waterfall.
Pupillin is known as the capital of Poulsard, a grape variety from the Jura region.

informative link about this remote area.

 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.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Mezig
Mezig

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that showcases one of the characteristics of the Jura's "reculées" (remote valleys).
Several trees or large branches on the route, including the GR.
There were quite a few people at Les Planches (waterfall, village), but we were able to picnic on the table near the church. Fresh drinking water is available at the fountains. Beautiful climb up to the plateau; we appreciated having our walking sticks.

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D V
D V

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike through the forest. The first part to the tufa waterfall is easy. The second part involves a nice climb and some rocky sections. Finally, a white path takes you to Pupillin.

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Dominique 21
Dominique 21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, walk in the forest, ideal in hot weather. White path, road, trail, everything is there.
Picnic table near the church at Les Planches, followed by a beautiful climb up to Pupillin.
The waterfall is not at its maximum flow but it is still running.

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fanchonlatulipe
fanchonlatulipe

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with plenty of shade, which was pleasant given yesterday's heat. However, the climb from Les Planches to Pupillin is quite challenging, especially in the early afternoon. Fortunately, we had done the circular hike around the tufa waterfalls beforehand to warm up after our picnic. On the other hand, Les Planches and Les Tufs were very crowded.

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JODIDO
JODIDO
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I know this little village of Pupillin very well as I had family there.
I set off from the Grapiot car park and, after finding a tarmac path behind the relay antenna, I was unable to reach the cave. I walked along unmarked paths and finally arrived at point 505, "Chemin Bouvenot".
I then followed the GR for a good 3 kilometres before arriving at the Fer à Cheval viewpoint to admire the magnificent views of the Reculée des Planches. It had been at least 40 years since I had last seen this place!
I descended to Les Planches-Près-d'Arbois and stopped for a snack at the Cascade des Tufs waterfall. Taking the departmental road, it is important not to miss the path that branches off to the left from the first hairpin bend, as it is not marked. A short but steep climb (the only one on the hike, in fact) before reaching point 505, "Chemin Bouvenot". I continued on the main path until I finally passed the relay antenna again and saw the first houses of Pupillin.
So I didn't follow the suggested route exactly, but I enjoyed a beautiful 5 hour 40 minute hike in sunny, warm weather.

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Michel lacroix
Michel lacroix

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant paths through the beautiful Arbois forest. The viewpoint overlooking the cirque is breathtaking. Beautiful waterfall. In short, a very beautiful hike. The only downside is a few tricky sections along the edge of the cliff between points 9 and 10. Walking sticks are recommended.

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Jean*
Jean*

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful walks along white paths on the way there and along small forest paths on the way back.

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nitrat01
nitrat01

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk.
At point no. 6: When we reached the crossroads at an altitude of 540 metres, we took the small path on the right that climbs up to the cross.
Magnificent viewpoint (300m), then we followed the ridge and took the first path on the right which descends and joins the carriage road.

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saint-apollinaire
saint-apollinaire

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
ALTERNATIVE: 12 km.
Due to a scheduling issue, we shortened the route.
After marker 3, we continued straight on to Clairière des Baraques towards 5 and 6.
The Belvédère du Cirque du Fer à Cheval viewpoint is well worth the detour.
Return directly to marker 5 by taking the D 469 on the right, then turn left at the first forest path.
Return to 3, at the three-way junction (level 561), take the path on the right towards marker 4.
Beautiful views of the Reculée des Planches and the village of Planches.
The Foyard du Président is magnificent and well showcased.
Beautiful views over the vineyards.
Easy hike at the beginning and end of the route, a little rough between 6 and 9 with some nice climbs.

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Cathy21200
Cathy21200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike near Arbois.
Passages through the woods are much appreciated during heat waves...
The Tufs waterfalls are magnificent!
I recommend this hike, but you do need to be in good physical condition, especially for the return trip, which involves a steep climb

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jmsyl
jmsyl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you, a parish-specific to Brittany very beautiful walk with superb undergrowth in spring and practically no one on the paths. However, I think that during the season, the waterfall site must be really crowded because even at this time of year there were quite a few people. Apart from that, it was a very beautiful walk with lovely paths and scenery.

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pelligand annie
pelligand annie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, secluded spot with its viewpoints, the Chatelaine site (castle ruins) is worth visiting, as is the tufa waterfall and the trail along the Cuisance river.

Just one comment: at intersection point no. 4, the GR trail marker is located 50-100 metres further along the path on the right, which may cause some confusion. Do not follow the yellow trail marker on the left.

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