Septmoncel walks

A very steep section of the Sentier des Chamois trail offers views of the rugged terrain of the Flumen Gorges and the Gendarme's Hat, as well as a cool break at the waterfall. You will need good walking shoes as the slopes are steep.

I suggest a long circular route starting from Septmoncel, allowing you to discover some very pretty landscapes in the Jura.

Starting from Montbrillant, a steady climb up to Septmoncel via the Chemin des Moines, the reward being three viewpoints: two with aerial views of the town of Saint-Claude, and the third overlooking La Roche Blanche. The paths are very easy to walk on, with no technical difficulties.

This loop will allow you to discover the bottom of the Flumen valley (and its waterfalls) as well as the ridges above it.

This hike takes you to the Queue d'Âne and Queue de Cheval waterfalls, then climbs a little to the Septmoncel area, via a good circular route that is a little physically demanding at times.Please note that some sections can be tricky due to wet ground, particularly the section between (9) and (10), which is quite steep.

A pleasant little outing to discover this waterfall, which cascades down a sixty-metre drop in two stages. These drops, each around thirty metres high, are spectacular when it has rained. This is therefore an outing to do after a period of rain if you want to enjoy the scenery offered by one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Haut-Jura.

This circular route on the heights of Saint-Claude offers a magnificent view of the Gorges du Flumen and the ridges of the Haut-Jura from the Belvédère de la Roche Blanche, then takes in the village of Les Moussières before descending via the Crêt Joli and its typical Jura landscapes. The climb to La Roche Blanche is challenging and requires a high level of fitness. The use of walking poles is strongly recommended in wet weather, not only for the ascent but also, and especially, for the descent from the viewpoint (14).

Sixteenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. For this last stage, you will reach Septmoncel before beginning a long descent along the Chemin des Moines to the Gorges du Flumen. Walking along the Flumen, Grosdar and Tacon rivers, you will arrive at Saint-Claude, nestled in the Jura Mountains at the confluence of the Bienne and Tacon rivers. Saint-Claude is not only the capital of briar pipes: heir to a long tradition of craftsmanship, the town has built a reputation for woodturning and diamond and gemstone cutting. Tucked away at the bottom of its valley, the town stands out for its rugged natural environment and unique heritage attractions, such as Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the Pipe and Diamond Museum, Le Monde des Automates and the Abbey Museum, a hub for lovers of modern art.

Le Mont Chabot est une des montagnes-phare dominant la ville de Saint-Claude.Il s'agira d'accéder à sa crête en empruntant un parcours en boucle partielle permettant de visualiser de superbes points de vues sur la ville et les alentours. La randonnée est assez courte, mais attention certains passages sont relativement raides et peuvent s’avérer glissants.Attention : le parcours présenté en 2016 vient d'être partiellement remanié (lire § Infos pratiques).

Starting from Saint-Claude, this is a short hike in terms of distance but quite challenging during the climb up Mont Bayard. Walking poles are recommended in wet conditions.

This circular walk will introduce you to some of the Jura’s attractions around the town of Saint-Claude. From the Gorges de l’Abîme, you’ll take a path towards the Crêt Pourri, then, after negotiating a few slopes, you’ll reach a plateau. On the way back, you’ll be able to admire the charming hamlet of Vaucluse. The Gorges de l’Abîme route has been accessible again since 4 July 2026 (for the record, it was previously closed under a municipal by-law dated 4 December 2023).

This is a circular route without great difficulty that takes you through the pretty mountain pastures around the village of Lajoux, with beautiful views of Lake Lamoura and the Jura mountain range. The route can easily be lengthened or shortened thanks to the many trails in the area.

A circular hike above Saint-Claude that takes you to the Cascade de la Vouivre waterfall, the Belvédère de Cinquétral viewpoint offering superb views of the Bienne valley and the Haut-Jura, and finally the Cascade de Pissevieille waterfall. It is best to do this hike when the snow has melted or after rain to get the most out of the waterfalls, but in this case, the use of walking poles is strongly recommended. Similarly, the climb to the Belvédère de Cinquétral is reserved for experienced walkers.

A beautiful route offering magnificent views over Lake Lamoura and the Serra ski resort. Part of the route is in the Haut Jura APPB area, see practical information.

Short, easy hike, mostly through forest, leading to La Vigoureuse (1,335 m) with views of the Valserine and Mont Blanc (on a clear day). On the way back, opportunity to swim in Lake Lamoura.

A gentle walk covering a good distance but with very little elevation gain. Feeling the icy crust of the snow crack in the morning under the weight of our first steps is pure bliss, a blank canvas that we delight in scribbling on with our eager snowshoes.

The walk starts from the centre of Lamoura and enters the small Combe d'Arbey, divided into two parts by a wooded ridge. This rocky ridge separates the route into two distinct parts: the outward journey is on the eastern slope and the return journey is on the other side, along the cross-country ski trail.

Leaving the village and crossing the woods via the Sentier des Amoureux trail, you will discover Lake Lamoura, set in lush green countryside punctuated by the red hues of the surrounding peat bog, where the waters of the highest natural lake in the Jura mountains glisten. The trail goes around the lake. A wooden deck allows you to cross the wetlands and bog without damaging these fragile environments.

A lovely circular walk passing through the Crêt Pela (the highest point in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and the Jura department). It offers varied scenery, including walks through typical forests and the open landscapes of the Combe du Lac, as well as a stunning view over a succession of mountain ranges stretching as far as the Swiss Alps. Please note: theroute is closed from 15 December to 30 June between (5) and (8) to ensure the preservation of these forests, which provide a habitat for many protected species in the massif: capercaillie, hazel grouse, pygmy owls, Eurasian lynx, etc.See here.

Open from 1 April to 30 November, subject to snow conditions The third and final stage of the 3-day, 2-night Crêts en combes hiking tour. Starting from Lélex, this circular route combines the main GTJ route with the suggested alternative via Mijoux and the Col de la Faucille. The crossing of the Hautes-Combes jurassiennes, the Valserine valley and the ridges of the Haute Chaine du Jura promise breathtaking landscapes. On one side, the view overlooks the ridges, on the other, it overlooks Lake Geneva and the Alps. In the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and partly in the Haute Chaîne Nature Reserve, the hike takes place in a preserved natural area. The trail is marked with GR® (red and white) signs.