On the heights of Chancia

The village of Chancia, dating back to Roman times, stretches lazily along the lake formed by the junction of the Bienne and Ain rivers and the Coiselet reservoir.
Here, everything encourages relaxation.
On this route through the hills above Chancia, you will be enchanted by this little corner of paradise.

Details

2731040
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 515 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 518 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 696 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 304 m

Photos

Description of the walk

To get to the starting point, head towards Chancia. Park in the village street behind the town hall.

(S/E) From the car park, head east to No. 10 Rue du Village.
Just after No. 10, turn right, heading south along the lane towards the lake, following the yellow markings.
Follow the lake along this pretty little path, pass the beach and the beach restaurant, and continue along the lake until you reach the tarmac road.
Continue to the right until you reach the D60E2. At the crossroads, turn right and you will soon come to a signpost.

(1) Turn left and follow the signs for Molard de Nétru, still following the yellow markings until you reach the viewpoint. Begin a gradual climb which becomes quite steep towards the end.
Reach the viewpoint
Be careful at this point.

(2) Continue downhill to reach a forest path.
At the intersection with the forest path, head towards La Vallière, south-south-east for a few metres, then you will come to another crossroads marked with a signpost.

(3) Turn almost 180° to the left in a north-north-westerly direction, following the signs for the Chanais viewpoint (yellow markings). Continue along this path until you reach thethird intersection with the Nezan Forest Road.

(4) Turn right onto this road to reach the viewpoint. Enjoy the superb view of Lake Coiselet from here.

(5) Turn 180° left this time onto this road. You will come to a Y-junction with a forest path.

(6) Leave the road and turn right onto this path. Stay on this path, which initially climbs and then descends, ignoring all the paths branching off to the right and left.
You will reach a marked trail, which you take to the right to reach the village of Montcusel.
Continue to the intersection with the main road (D295).

(7) Here, leave Chancia on your left and turn right onto the small street marked "La Tournerie".
Leave the village via the meadow, pass the fountain and rejoin the D295 at the end of the field.
Continue on the D295 to the Belvédère de Chancia. Enjoy the superb landscape here too.

(8) Continue on the D295 downhill. Stay on this road at the hairpin bend and you will reach the waterfall and cave.

(9) Head back towards Chancia. At the Rue du Jura junction, turn right and then take the first road on the left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 323 m - Parking is available behind the town hall. Towards the - Lac de Coiselet
  2. 1 : km 1.28 - alt. 314 m - Head towards Molard de Nétru. - Bienne (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.92 - alt. 492 m - Viewpoint - Molard de Netru
  4. 3 : km 2.81 - alt. 360 m - Chanais viewpoint sign
  5. 4 : km 3.7 - alt. 479 m - Nezan Forest Road
  6. 5 : km 4.26 - alt. 518 m - Belvédère de Chancia
  7. 6 : km 4.67 - alt. 549 m - Forest path
  8. 7 : km 6.44 - alt. 617 m - Forest path towards La Tournerie
  9. 8 : km 7.31 - alt. 539 m - Viewpoint
  10. 9 : km 8.94 - alt. 379 m - Waterfall and cave
  11. S/E : km 9.78 - alt. 323 m - Parking behind the town hall.

Notes

To see the car park and starting point: click here

To view a video of the route profile: click here

I strongly recommend using the app on a smartphone, which will also allow you to be geolocated at all times so you can track your movements accurately.

Beware of ticks,
A major problem in the Jura forests, ticks are voracious and can be found everywhere.
Don't forget to check yourself after your hike.
This route is not suitable for pushchairs or young children.
You will find benches and picnic tables at the Chanais and Chancia viewpoints and at the cave, as well as water sources along the route, but none of it is drinkable (waterfalls and fountain).
Swimming is possible in the lake in summer. Don't forget your towels and swimsuits.

Worth a visit

Woodturning workshop in Montcusel.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Espadon974
Espadon974

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, even in the rain. The only downside was the end of the route on the D295 national road, which spoiled the rest.

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Vero01460
Vero01460

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk in the hills above Chancia. It's quite a climb! It's a shame that the end of the walk is along the road.

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René01
René01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike, quite physically demanding, with beautiful, long climbs at the start and between points 3 and 7.
Magnificent views from the various lookout points and certain points along the route.
The only downside is the last section from the village of Montcusel, as it's 3 km of tarmac, which spoils the end of the hike despite the superb views in some places...
But there are obviously no other options, and we are very satisfied overall.

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Primot Masson
Primot Masson

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very pretty trails with beautiful views all the way to Montcusel; but then, no interest since you have to take the road to go back down to Chancia, which is a shame!

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Lolo.Paquien
Lolo.Paquien

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, with a tough climb at the beginning, but you have to earn the superb views afterwards!
Very beautiful route. Thank you.

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alainc5939
alainc5939

Thank you and enjoy your hike in the Jura Mountains.

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SE VE RI NE
SE VE RI NE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely hike with splendid views.
The return journey by road is a bit monotonous, but there's no other way to get back!

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Duruflé
Duruflé

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, slightly spoiled by the numerous caterpillars falling from the trees at this time of year.

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narcisse.vallet@orange;fr
narcisse.vallet@orange;fr

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route

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