Hiking across the french Jura

We invite you to meet us at our starting point in the early afternoon. Our accommodation, situated right next to the Hérisson waterfall, gives you easy access to this hike, which is a must-see! A veritable parade of seven ‘sauts’ (waterfalls) allows the powerful waters of the Hérisson to cross the narrow valley and cascade down the 250-metre drop separating the plateau from the Jura plain. Amidst a constant rustling and a surge of beautiful eddies, the water takes its place and shows no sign of giving it up. Return to our guesthouse (or hotel) for our first night in the Jura.

We leave the area around the Hérisson waterfall and head towards the Pic de l'Aigle, which we reach just before our midday break. At an altitude of just under 1,000 metres, it offers us a magnificent view of the two Maclus lakes, as well as the lakes of Ilay and Narlay. Our scenic hike continues along the “Belvédère des 4 Lacs” trail, from which, as the name suggests, the view is well worth the detour. We descend towards Le Pont de la Chaux to find our little hotel for the night. 

Today we follow the course of the Saine, taking a route that leads us into the Langouette Gorges. A safe nature trail, deep within the Jura forest where moss and ferns create a shimmering effect, reveals an impressive cliff face carved out by the patient work of the water. The presence of an old hydroelectric power station quickly makes us realise the vital role water plays in the Jura... We pass through Planches en Montagne, then follow the Saine upstream through the Malvaux Gorges and a 180-metre tunnel carved into the rock. A lovely atmosphere! Overnight stay in Foncine le Haut, on the border between the Jura and the Doubs.

Whilst the previous two days have been all about water, we now turn our attention to the Haut Jura. Before setting foot on the meadows and peat bogs, this stage offers us a breath of fresh air in the heart of the Jura forest: here, silence reigns, and the scents given off by the fir and spruce trees have a relaxing effect. On a hot day, this canopy will be particularly welcome. At just over 1,000 metres above sea level, we emerge into the first area of peat bogs and discover Chapelle des Bois, a charming little village that welcomes us for the night. The cheese dairy is a must-visit for a tasting of the cheese that has made the Jura famous worldwide: the famous Comté!

Optional, in the morning from Foncine le Haut: a round-trip hike to discover the source of the Saine (+3km / 50m elevation gain).

We set off from Chapelle des Bois this morning along a stunning route through the heart of the Bellefontaine Lake peat bogs. This ecosystem, both rich and fragile, is a veritable haven for flora and fauna. For us hikers, it’s a chance to soak up the wilderness. If the weather is fine, the sun’s rays glistening on the damp meadows create a very special atmosphere. With Lac des Mortes and Lac de Bellefontaine behind us, we climb through the Risoux forest before descending on the other side, at Les Rousses. Switzerland is just a stone’s throw away here... Les Rousses and Bois d’Amont, linked by the River Orbe, are home to some of France’s greatest skiing names (particularly in cross-country skiing): Jason Lamy Chappuis, Quentin Fillon Maillet... Overnight stay in Les Rousses.

Sporting option: route via the summit of La Roche Champion (viewpoint over the peat bogs and lakes): +3km/150m elevation gain.

If one word were to sum up this day, it would be ‘idyllic’: after a visit (highly recommended) to Fort des Rousses and the Comté maturing cellars, we head towards Prémanon and its extensive pastures. Here, nature displays its creativity in colouring the landscape: columbines and orchids add touches of mauve, gentians bring yellow, thistles bring blue... all set against the rich green backdrop of the meadows. Simply magical. From clearing to clearing, we reach Lamoura (or Lajoux) and its small mountain lake. Overnight stay in the heart of the Haut Jura.

Optional: a more challenging route through the Massacre Forest and the Combe à la Chèvre (+6.5km / 225m elevation gain)

Probably one of the five most beautiful hikes in the Jura (we’d done the other four in the previous few days!), the Platières hike offers a total immersion in what makes this mountain range so authentic. The undulating, deep-green meadows, mountain chalets and fir forests form the backdrop to our day. After passing through Les Platières, the little village of Les Moussières welcomes us and we spend the night in a cosy inn in the middle of a pretty valley “far from it all”. After all, this is already our last evening, and we must make the most of it to sample any local specialities we might have missed!

The final stage of our wonderful trek through the Jura region! We’ve seen so much since setting off from the Hérisson waterfall! But we must bring our hike to a close, and in the most beautiful way possible: along the ridges! We head to La Borne au Lion, then begin the ascent of the Crêt de Chalam: a short climb of 250 metres in elevation, at the top of which we are rewarded with a 360-degree view of the ridges of the Haute Chaîne du Jura, the Haut Jura and the Mont Blanc massif. Indeed, even though we seem to be far from everything, Geneva and Lake Geneva are only about twenty kilometres away as the crow flies, so Mont Blanc is just around the corner!

Descent to La Pesse and return transfer to Bonlieu, our starting point (approx. 1 hour 15 mins’ drive).

Please note: as the ascent of the Crêt de Chalam is a round trip, you may choose not to do it. In this case, the day’s walk covers a distance of 9km and a total elevation gain of 200m.