Overhangs of the Bienne Valley – Longchaumois Plateau

Update by the author on 13/10/2024:
- Route corrections
- Updated PI labels (S), (16), (17), (19), (7) (return leg)
- Adjustments to the ‘Description’ section regarding the points (10) and (19). + other minor corrections
- Changes to the ‘Practical Information’ section

The walk starts from the Champs de Bienne stadium, situated 3.5 km from the Pont de Pierre roundabout in Saint-Claude on the Route de Noire Combe. There are plenty of parking spaces available.

(S/E) To begin, retrace your steps towards Saint-Claude for about 200 m.

(1) Follow the yellow signposting, which indicates you should veer left: the correct path leads downhill, then slightly uphill, before descending again towards the Pont des Cheneviers (a new bridge replacing an old one).

(2) Cross the river and you’ll arrive at a large meadow known as Les Cheneviers. At the signpost, turn right towards Saint-Claude, continuing across the meadow. Following the markings, the path suddenly climbs with a fairly steep gradient. A little further up, the path comes to a fork.

(3) A sign points to “Cascade de la Vouivre”, but you actually need to continue to the right for about a hundred metres to see the waterfall.

(4) Retrace your steps.

(3) At the fork, turn right towards the Cinquétral viewpoint; the climb is steady but not too steep. You’ll reach the viewpoint, situated at a bend in the road.

(5) Enjoy the view of the town of Saint-Claude and the surrounding area, then head back slightly towards the TV relay station and Cinquétral. The path continues to climb up to the plateau 100 metres higher up. You’ll first reach the Cheneviers paragliding launch site before arriving at the Cinquétral TV relay station.

(6) Continue towards Cinquetral along a track suitable for vehicles. You’ll then need to pay attention to take a path on the left – a hairpin bend – which branches off from the yellow route. This path runs close to the TV relay station for a short while, then moves away from it quite quickly as it turns to the right.

At a fork, take the path on the left, heading downhill. From there, the route is straightforward along a clearly visible path that descends gently towards Noire Combe. There are no markings, and only a signpost located 1 km from the hamlet will confirm you are heading in the right direction. Towards the end, the slope becomes a little steeper before you reach a meadow.

(7) At the end of the path, keep to the right towards the hamlet of Noire Combe, which is clearly visible. After passing through a gate (which you can easily go round on the left), walk through the hamlet until you reach the end.

(8) Carry on straight ahead along the road towards La Rixouse. About 250 m further on, continue straight ahead along a small road and, just before the bridge over the Bienne, take a path on the right.

(9) At the first junction just after this, take a short detour along the path on the left to get a view of the base of the Pissevielle Waterfall.
On your return, turn left onto the path heading uphill, following the blue signposts.

(10) Turn left at the^second junction to take a round trip to the waterfall.

On your return, continue to the left to begin a fairly steep climb (follow the blue markings).

(11) At the top, where you meet a path, follow it to the left until you reach a junction a short distance away: continue left onto a wide path.

(12) At the fork just after this, turn right, heading towards “Le Ruisseau” and “Longchaumois”. The path overlooking the Pissevielle stream is a little steep (follow the yellow markings). After a short walk, the path levels out almost abruptly and descends gently towards the entrance to the plateau.

(13) You’ll come to a fork called “Le Ruisseau”; turn right, towards the Grotte des Sarrazins. The path is straightforward.

(14) After walking for about 1.5 km, the Grotte des Sarrazins only comes into view at the very last moment: it has a rather unusual appearance due to its elongated crescent shape and relatively low height.
Return to the previous crossroads (“Le Ruisseau”).

(13) Head straight on towards Orcières and Longchaumois. The path, which slopes gently upwards, leads relatively quickly to the hamlet of Orcières.

(15) When you reach the hamlet, first turn left then right towards Longchaumois. This rarely used road winds its way across the plateau towards Longchaumois (no difficulty).

(16) You’ll come to a junction with the^GR®9; turn left to reach a crossroads at an elevation of 864.

(17) From here, turn right for a round trip to the Belvédère de la Corbière viewpoint.

(18) After admiring the view from this viewpoint, return to the junction at the 864-metre mark.

(17) Turn right onto the^GR®9again.

(19) A few metres after a hairpin bend, leave the^GR® and take the yellow-marked path on the left. At the bottom of the descent, continue to the right along the path until you meet the^GR® again: follow it to the left for a short while until you reach the fork. Continue to the left along the path, leaving the^GR® route once more, then carry on to the crossroads by the Pissevieille waterfall, which you passed on the way out (follow the yellow markings).

(12) Following the reverse route of the outward journey, pass near the top of the Pissevielle waterfall and return to a junction you passed on the way out.

(11) Continue straight on along the path towards the hamlet of Noire Combe, which you passed on the way there.

(8) Following the same route back as on the way there, you will come to the Combe Noire crossroads a little further on, which you also passed on the way there.

(7) Take the path opposite, which is clearly visible and has a gentle gradient. A little further on, the route becomes less distinct in a densely wooded area, where you’ll need to pay close attention to the path ahead and the signposting (black trail markers are a great help). After a slight bend to the right and then to the left, the path begins to descend and then climb again along a rather uneven section (watch your step).
A little further on, the path becomes very good again: it continues to descend gently towards the valley floor. You’ll then reach the Pré des Cheneviers, a spot you passed on the way out; turn right here to return to the river.

(2) Cross the bridge and, following the route in the opposite direction to the outward journey, return to the car park (S/E).

Coordinates for the starting point here
Given the length of the route, it can very easily be split into at least two sections.
The signposting is generally satisfactory:
Between (S/E and 6), the signposting is yellow,
Between (6 and 7), there are no markings,
Between (8 and 9), the signposting is yellow,
Between (9 and 11), the markings are blue,
Between (11 and 15), the signposting is yellow,
Between (15 and 18), the markings are white-red and yellow,
Between (18 and) 7::, the markings are yellow
Between (7) and (2): yellow markings are rare and difficult to see, plus black Trail No. 16 signposts
Between (2) and (S/E), the markings are yellow

Good walking boots are recommended.

Sarrazins Cave

Pissevielle Waterfall: read about it here,

Vouivre Waterfall: here.