Saignelégier walks

Situated at an altitude of 1,000 metres, the Étang de la Gruère was created as a result of peat extraction. Restored by the Jura government, this exceptional environment has become a nature reserve. Set amongst the magnificent pastoral landscapes of the Franches-Montagnes, the site offers a chance to escape into the very Scandinavian atmosphere of the pond and its surroundings. The route around the lake is extremely easy, and consists largely of a wooden boardwalk where you needn’t worry about mud.

Circular hike starting from Goumois for a short but intense hike, mainly through woodland. As you cross the bridge, look out for the Rocher du Singe on your left – it’s incredible. The climb up to “Chez le Bolé” follows a challenging (but not dangerous) path – expect chains and ladders along the way! Return via Muriaux, along lovely paths and some lovely, steep descents!

Coming from Goumois (Switzerland), park at the end of the Vautenaivre leat, next to a small rest area (with barbecue).

This is a challenging walk, best done in dry weather, with a steady climb followed by a fairly technical descent through undergrowth with roots and stones. Nature lovers will be delighted by the Doubs valley and its banks, the views from the Roches des Sommêtres and the architecture of the churches and houses in the village of Le Noirmont.

Set off to explore these magnificent trails, which are very pleasant along the River Doubs. The Leat d’Étoz and its Notre-Dame-des-Ermites Chapel, steeped in history and legend. Magnificent wooden sculptures in Urtière and its Saint-Roch Chapel. A walk through woodland, forest and meadows.

Views of the Chassera and the wind turbines in Switzerland, with the landscapes of the Haut Doubs.

Departure from Villeret in the Bernese Jura near Saint-Imier, climb via the Combe Grède, passing through Pré aux Auges, Les Limes, then along the ridge overlooking the Métairie de Morat facing the Chasseral, before reaching and following the ridge leading directly to the signal (television tower) and the summit of the Chasseral. The magnificent view from the summit ridge amply rewards hikers for their efforts on the climb, allowing them to enjoy, in particular, the three lakes (Biel, Neuchâtel and Morat) and the highest peaks of the Bernese Alps in good weather. The descent is via Pré aux Auges and the dairy farms of the Planes and Métairie aux Renards. A beautiful encounter on the descent, with a herd of chamois above the Métairie des Plânes.

The route forms a loop via the Métairie des Plânes, climbing the Combe Grède before reaching the Chasseral ridge to the east of the summit via the Métairie du Milieu.All the difficulties are behind you when you reach the summit, where you can enjoy a picnic. Return to the car park by descending via Les Limes and La Vieille Vacherie. (i)User comment on 21 June 2025 On Thursday 19 June, when we set off from Villeret, the Combe Grède pass was closed due to rockfalls and fallen trees and therefore inaccessible. For more information, contact the tourist office in St-Imier or Villeret. >This passage to Chasseral can be bypassed from the start by taking the left-hand path towards Les Limes, Derrière, then Pré au Auges, where you come out at the Combe Grède exit. To return from the Hotel du Chasseral, the trail leads to the Métairie de St-Jean, then back to Pré aux Auges, where you head towards St-Imier and then Villeret.

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.

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.

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

Set off to explore the banks of the Doubs, an old mill, the ruins of the Chapelle des Essarts Cuenot and two superb viewpoints: the Vieilles Femelles and the Échelles de la Mort. To finish, a lovely climb up to the Bois de la Biche to discover the Grotte des Moines and its ‘hidden’ box where you can leave a little note to say you’ve been there! Return via a magnificent path running alongside the banks of the Doubs.

Ninth stage from Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. At the summit of Chasseral, you pass close to the imposing 114-metre transmitter, a metal sentinel standing at an altitude of 1,606 metres, the highest point of this stage. From there, the trail levels out and takes you on a peaceful descent along the ridge, winding between large century-old trees and the typical pastures of the Bernese Jura, where the air is fragrant with alpine herbs. At an altitude of around 1,000 metres, the landscape narrows: you reach the steepest part of the route, where rocks jut out and steps carved into the stone bear witness to the steeper terrain. The view then opens up onto the Bernese Jura mountain range, before the path gently descends towards the steep-sided Schüss valley. The steady descent takes you to the charming village of Frinvillier, nestled in the valley. Here you will cross the Suze bridge, the final passage of this stage rich in contrasts and panoramic views.

From the castle ruins, you will climb up to the ledges where, like tightrope walkers from one border marker to the next, you will walk along the ridge line, neither in France nor in Switzerland. You will reach the Réclère Caves, considered the most beautiful in the world by the first explorers in 1886. From Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne to Conan Doyle's The Lost World, you will squeeze between dinosaur feet. The return journey, via the old farmhouse at Montavon, will be less adventurous.

Discover a cave that was once temporarily transformed into a castle and has since become a paradise for cavers. A hike best enjoyed on fine summer days, making the most of the cool air of the Doubs Valley.

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.

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.

Climb to the Hermitage of Saint-Ursicinus, with access to two viewpoints over Saint-Ursanne, then continue along a signposted path towards the Outremont farm, the ridge and down to La Caquerelle. Optional round trip to the Col des Rangiers and the viewpoint from the CAS chalet. Descent to Saint-Ursanne across meadows, then cross the Doubs to enter the old town via the Pont Saint-Jean and the gate of the same name.

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.

This is a beautiful hike that has the advantage of being in Switzerland, where hunting is closed on Sundays. The upper part of the route is on a wide ridge with sunny pastures and a picnic area with two tables. There are a few viewpoints on the north side overlooking the L'Ajoie plain with the Vosges mountains in the background. On the other side, you can see the Haut-Doubs and the Jura mountains, including the famous Chasseral. In between, there is plenty of nature to enjoy, with a good portion of the walk taking place in the shade of the trees, which is very pleasant in hot weather.

Discover Seleute, a small village nestled in the heart of the Swiss Jura, on a minor road serving small hamlets and farms on the hills above Saint-Ursanne, with beautiful views. Part of this walk takes place on roads.

This hike begins in the magnificent medieval town of Sainte-Ursanne on the banks of the Doubs. I suggest you walk in the Clos du Doubs region, in the heart of the Swiss Jura. We will first head up to the hills, to the villages of Montenol and Epauvillers. The panoramic views here are stunning. You will gradually descend towards the Doubs, which winds its way between pastures and forests. The sound of the water, the tinkling of cow bells and the scents of the countryside will transport you to another world...

Starting from the centre of Damvant, this figure-of-eight route follows the French-Swiss border, running alongside the Prehistoric Park and the Reclère Caves. The route passes through the charming village of Roche d’Or before climbing up to La Faux d’Enson and its panoramic tower. Return via the ridge forming the border before passing through the two Swiss farms at La Vaux and Montavon and returning via the entrance to the Reclère Prehistoric Park and Caves. In fine weather, there are stunning views as far as the Bernese Alps from the Faux d’Enson observation tower, as well as across the Doubs valley on the French side whilst following the border on the return journey.

Circular hike (figure of 8) with a shared section to the Réclère caves.

Starting from a free car park near the village, you’ll discover the town of Saint-Ursanne, the banks of the Doubs and the surrounding hills.

During this fourth stage, you will walk along the banks of the Doubs to Tariche. You will cross the Doubs on a self-service boat. Then you will follow a ridge overlooking the Delémont valley and the Doubs. You will take the very pleasant Combe du Bé to reach Glovelier.

A walk along the water, springs and fountains in the valleys surrounding the promontory of the ancient castle of Blamont. Discover the cave of Tante Airie, the legendary Mother Christmas of the Pays de Montbéliard.

The section of the Circuit des Bornes between Blamont, Pierrefontaine-lès-Blamont and Villars-lès-Blamont takes in heritage sites, numerous water fountains, the Tante Airie cave, gun emplacements near Fort du Lomont, and then runs alongside the Franco-Swiss border with its boundary markers, as well as the source of the Creuse and its wash house. There may be views of the Chasseral and the Bernese Alps in good weather,