On the heights of Chancia

The village of Chancia, dating back to Roman times, has its old houses stretching lazily along the lake formed by the confluence of the Bienne and the Ain rivers and the Coiselet reservoir.
Here, everything invites you to relax.
On this walk through the hills above Chancia, you’ll be enchanted by this little corner of paradise.

Details

2731040
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,690 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,699 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,283 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 997 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

To get to the start, 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 past No. 10, turn right, heading due south down the lane towards the lake, following the yellow signposts.
Walk along the lake on this lovely little path, past the beach and the beachside restaurant, and continue along the lake until you reach the tarmac road.
Carry on to the right until you reach the D60E2. At the junction, turn right and you’ll soon come to a signpost.

(1) Turn slightly 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
Take care at this point.

(2) Continue down the slope until you reach a forest track.
At the junction with the forest track, head towards La Vallière, south-south-east for a few metres, then you’ll come to another junction also marked by a signpost.

(3) Turn almost 180° to the left, heading north-north-west, following the signs for the Chanais viewpoint (marked with yellow signs). Continue along this path until thethird junction with the Route Forestière de Nezan.

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

(5) Turn left again, this time by 180°, onto this road. You’ll come to a Y-junction with a forest track.

(6) Leave the road and turn right onto this track. Follow this track, which climbs initially and then descends, ignoring all the turnings to the right and left.
You’ll come to a signposted path; take it to the right to reach the village of Montcusel.
Carry on until you reach the junction with the main road (D295).

(7) Here, ignore the sign for Chancia on your left and head right down the small street signposted ‘La Tournerie’.
Leave the village via the meadow, walk past the fountain and rejoin the D295 at the end of the meadow.
Carry on along the D295 to the Chancia viewpoint. Enjoy the superb scenery here too.

(8) Continue down the D295. Stay on this road through the hairpin bend and head for the waterfall and cave.

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

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,060 ft - Car park behind the town hall. Towards the - Lac de Coiselet
  2. 1 : mi 0.8 - alt. 1,030 ft - Heading towards Molard de Nétru - Bienne (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 1.19 - alt. 1,614 ft - Viewpoint - Molard de Netru
  4. 3 : mi 1.74 - alt. 1,181 ft - Sign for the Chanais viewpoint
  5. 4 : mi 2.3 - alt. 1,572 ft - Nezan Forest Road
  6. 5 : mi 2.65 - alt. 1,699 ft - Belvédère de Chancia
  7. 6 : mi 2.9 - alt. 1,801 ft - Forest track
  8. 7 : mi 4 - alt. 2,024 ft - Forest track towards La Tournerie
  9. 8 : mi 4.54 - alt. 1,768 ft - Viewpoint
  10. 9 : mi 5.56 - alt. 1,243 ft - Waterfall and cave
  11. S/E : mi 6.08 - alt. 1,060 ft - Car park behind the town hall

Notes

To view the car park and starting point: click here

To watch the 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 progress accurately.

Watch out for ticks;
a real hazard in the Jura forests; ticks are voracious and can be found everywhere.
Don’t forget to check yourself over after the walk.
This route is not suitable for pushchairs or young children.
You’ll 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 safe to drink (waterfalls and a fountain).
Swimming is possible in the lake in summer. Don’t forget your towels and swimwear.

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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