Starting out at the car park at Les Chamois restaurant (point 588, "P" sign on the IGN map at 1/25,000).
Facing the restaurant, turn right and take the stone track after 30m on the left. After 350m you will reach the "Chambre d’eau” (1). From here you will have views over the Ain and the valley. Turn left and follow the footpath overlooking the river for 200m, until you reach the fork "Côte du Martinet". Go straight on towards “Sous le mou."
At "Sous le mou" (2), turn left towards Richebourg (yellow waymarks), then in Richebourg, follow "Chapelle castrale" (red and yellow waymarks). When you reach "Chapelle castrale" you can visit the chapel (and then return back along the same path).
On your way back (marker 653), turn right towards "Roches Graviers" (yellow waymarks). At the sign for "Roches Graviers" follow "Château Villain" on the right (red and yellow waymarks) until you reach the ruins (4) (500m away).
Go back to "Roches Graviers" and carry straight on towards "Porte fortifiée" (red and yellow waymarks).
At "Porte fortifiée" (which you can see on your right) turn left towards Richebourg (red and yellow waymarks) and then in Richebourg turn right and follow "Sous le mou" (yellow waymarks). When you reach "Sous le mou" (2), turn left. After 400m, you will reach the dam, then follow the signs for "Pertes de l’Ain." On your way you will see Fontaine des Tufs on your left, and then you can go down to the little bridge (5) (you will have beautiful views of the narrow gorges of the Ain).
Go back up to the path and carry on until you reach the Pertes de l’Ain (slatted decking). From here, climb back up to the path and then carry on down to the forges (6). Cross the bridge, then follow the tarmacked road to the right for 200m, then take the steps on the right up to the “Chambre d’eau” which you passed at the start and go back along the stone track to the car park.
The walk is clearly waymarked and you will find all the names mentioned on the signposts.
The Pertes de l’Ain gorges
Pleasure in cascades.
This extraordinary walk around the Pertes de l’Ain gorges sets out from the remarkable site of the old forges and is a delight for all the senses.
Along the way: The Pertes de l’Ain, gorges, cascades, the ruins of Villain castle, and the relics of an old village.
Technical sheet
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 5.78 km -
Average duration: 2h 10 -
Difficulty: Easy -
-
Return to departure point: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 167 m -
Vertical drop: - 167 m -
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Highest point: 719 m -
Lowest point: 536 m
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Country:
France
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Area: Jura mountains -
District:
Bourg-de-Sirod (39300) -
Start/End: N 46.729203° / E 5.961052° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 3326ET -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 588 m - Les Chamois restaurant car park
- 1 : km 0.5 - alt. 583 m - La Chambre d'eau. Beautiful view of the - Ain (rivière)
- 2 : km 0.77 - alt. 596 m - Junction towards Richebourg
- 3 : km 1.4 - alt. 645 m - Castle chapel
- 4 : km 2.27 - alt. 717 m - Ruin of Château Villain
- 5 : km 4.5 - alt. 556 m - Viewpoint - Perte de l'Ain
- 6 : km 5.08 - alt. 539 m - Bridge
- S/E : km 5.78 - alt. 588 m - Les Chamois restaurant car park
Reviews and comments
4.7 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Perfect for getting back into shape, especially in hot weather. Well-shaded course, beautiful points of interest, beautiful views.
Domdom
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A very pretty eando with the added bonus of a finale on the banks of the river Ain, I recommend it.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Nov 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Very nice walk with our grandchildren. They enjoyed the variety of landscapes, the footbridges and other secure balconies.
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
We saw 2 chamois! Most of the walk was in the rain. Lots of undergrowth. Nice walk but we did it after the Hedgehog waterfalls so it was a lot less impressive.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
The first part isn't very interesting, which is fortunately offset by the second part, which is a real beauty.
the second part, which is a real beauty.
A cool spot in this humid world.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
I really enjoyed this short hike, which wasn't too difficult and we saw a chamois near the castle.
Thank you
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Superb walk along the gorges, and beautiful views from the chapel.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Nice tour with different points of interest and explanations for those who like them. We left the first part and the final part for a separate tour and went straight to the fortified gate. We had a wonderful encounter with the ruins of the castle. An impressive parade between the Commères rocks. The route is quite uneven, with some steps and paths strewn with large stones: it's good to be warned!
A few comments on the signposting:
- At point 3 there has been a change: you enter the pasture straight away (not after a hundred metres or so): a large stone with a feature and a sign announcing "Escalier des coucous" are a few metres to the left.
- At the crossroads at the foot of the log staircase, if the signs are anything to go by, you seem to be invited to return to the Commères rock: it is not clear whether the route continues there.
- It takes a little while to find your way out of the pasture (stage 5)...
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
A very nice easy walk. Varied route with the castle ruins at the top.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Very nice, varied and hilly tour, starting with the chapel and castle section where only the old gate is still standing, then the river section, which is very spectacular and cool. We did this tour during the week, so it wasn't very busy.
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I've consulted these trails for information and I'm thinking of doing a few in June, so I won't bother giving my comments.
Best regards
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Magnificent walk, very well signposted and laid out.
Many interesting bridges along the way, all with explanations.
At the time of our visit, the waterfalls were large and impressive.
The only thing missing was the chamois....
To do and do again....
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Mar 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A very nice, varied and well-marked walk with a variety of viewpoints. We were lucky enough to see 5 chamois on the way up to the chapel, which is unfortunately closed. At the fortified gate, there's a lovely exhibition on history, flora and fauna. However, there was a big mistake in the photo of the cincle, which is actually a wagtail.
We recommend this walk.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
It's a very nice walk, very popular indeed given the number of people who take it, and it's well laid out.
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Other walks in the area
Source du Lison (Lison Spring), Creux Billard (Billard Hollow), Grotte Sarrazine (Sarrazine Cave)
Walker 7.74 km
+355 m
-352 m
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne (Doubs)
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