Vallorbe - Les Charbonnières: Lakes Joux and Brenet

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For this fourth stage, after a good hour's walk, you will reach the highest point of the day: the Dent de Vaulion. The lakes of Joux and Brenet will be at your feet. The water from these two lakes flows underground, shaping the karst cave of the Orbe, near Vallorbe. On a clear day, you can see up to eight lakes.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: The peaks of the Swiss Jura, from Noiraigue to Saint Cergue

Details

n°2706597
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.19 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,398 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,552 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,823 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,480 ft
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Photos

The Dent de Vaulion
The Dent de Vaulion
Vallorbe
Le Pont

Description of the walk

Introduction: Most of this hike follows the Jura Höhenweg trail. On maps, particularly OpenStreetMap (World), it is marked as the Chemin des Crêtes du Jura. At each major intersection, you will find signposts with the number 5 on a green background. View this image.

(S) From the guesthouse, head east on Rue de l'Orbe until you reach the first intersection.

(1) Continue left until you reach a fork (elevation 774). Take the left fork onto the "Jura Höhenweg" No. 5. The path is also called "Dent de Vaulion - sur le Voué". It crosses the railway line and then climbs through the woods towards the Dent de Vaulion.

(2) Turn right to climb the ridge and reach the Dent de Vaulion (1,483 m).

(3) Take a break to enjoy the panoramic view of the Joux and Brenet lakes. Follow the ridge path, pass the Dent de Vaulion chalet and continue to Pétra Félix.

(4) At this point, leave the main road ahead and turn right onto a small path. The Jura Höhenweg trail (No. 5) climbs northwards, then turns 90° westwards before reaching a junction.

(5) At this junction, follow the sign for "Jura Höhenweg" No. 5, i.e. turn left towards Le Pont. Continue for about 600 m to reach the edge of Lake Joux at the entrance to the bridge.

(6) On the right, heading west, follow Lac de Joux until you reach the level crossing.

(7) Cross the railway line and continue along the road for about 200 m until you find a path towards Lac Brenet. Turn right onto this path, approach the shore of Lac Brenet, then return to the Mont d'Or road.

(8) Turn right and follow this road to the centre of Les Charbonnières. In the bend, go to your accommodation for the day: Hôtel des Cygnes (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 2,490 ft - Vallorbe - Orbe (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.22 - alt. 2,484 ft - Intersection, on the left
  3. 2 : mi 2.1 - alt. 3,796 ft - Fork in the road to the right
  4. 3 : mi 3.91 - alt. 4,823 ft - Dent de Vaulion (1,482 m)
  5. 4 : mi 5.8 - alt. 3,770 ft - Pétra Félix
  6. 5 : mi 6.77 - alt. 3,570 ft - Intersection
  7. 6 : mi 7.15 - alt. 3,314 ft - Entrance to the bridge - Lakeside at Lake Joux
  8. 7 : mi 7.53 - alt. 3,304 ft - Level crossing
  9. 8 : mi 7.87 - alt. 3,314 ft - Mont d'Or Road.
  10. E : mi 8.19 - alt. 3,343 ft - Hotel des Cygnes - Les Charbonnières

Notes

Worth a visit

- Vallorbe.
- Dent du Vaulion.
- Lake Joux.
- Lake Brenet.
- The Bridge.

Reviews and comments

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