Itinerant hike - 5 days

Want to explore the Haut-Jura on foot?

We can offer you 5 days of intense hiking through the Grandvaux and its lakes, waterfalls and high-altitude forests.

For this self-catering holiday, we're offering 4 nights' accommodation as close as possible to the Grandvalliers, who will welcome you and your companion in the best possible conditions.

You'll get around on a daily basis using the Echappée Jurassienne GR network and the paths listed in the PDIPR (Plan Départemental des Itinéraires de Promenade et de Randonnée).

We recommend that you take a hiking map of the area with you.

For each overnight stay, we recommend that you book your accommodation in advance. Please do not hesitate to contact the Haut-Jura Grandvaux Tourist Office for any further information.

Day 1 :

Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux or Saint-Pierre / Grande-Rivière Château
Approximately 9 km

You set off from Saint Laurent (with a possible overnight stay at the Ferme Léonie gîte d'étape et de séjour, where a packed lunch can be provided if you wish) or from Saint Pierre (with a possible overnight stay at the Les Hypolites chambre d'hôte), initially heading for Les Poncets.

You will then come to a path leading through the forest and down to the hamlet of l'Abbaye en Grandvaux and its magnificent lake.

Here you can stay at the Hotel Lou Granva or the Hotel de l'Abbaye, or continue climbing up to Les Cernois to reach its gîte d'étape, where you'll have a breathtaking view of the Monts Jura.

Day 2 :

Grande-Rivière Château, / Nanchez (Prénovel)
Approx. 15 km

Depending on where you've slept, you'll have to climb up or down to reach the Belvédère du Moulin, which rises to an altitude of 1000m and offers a panoramic view of the whole lake and its surroundings. On the way up, don't hesitate to stop by the Sapin Président to admire this gigantic coniferous tree!

Then continue downhill to reach the Pré Basset sound site, where you can play with the echo or simply listen out for the birdsong.

You then climb back up to reach another viewpoint, the Vierge d'Ecuvet, offering a view of the small hamlet of Château des Prés and the Monts Jura. Once you've had your fill of this landscape, head downhill towards the village centre, crossing charming little streams on the way and passing through a pretty forest.

Once you've arrived in the village, set your sights on the final challenge of the day: the Duchet belvedere, with its lovely views over the combe de Prénovel-Les Piards.

On the way back down, you can also extend your walk by discovering the Nanchez peat bog, a nature trail where you can learn about the flora and fauna that thrive in a wetland environment, before returning for your second night's accommodation at the Le Duchet holiday village or, if you're in a group, the Maison de Trémontagne.

The holiday village of Le Duchet will adapt to your touring needs: packed lunch, washing machine, tumble dryer, early breakfast and even luggage transport!

Day 3 :

Nanchez (Prénovel) / La Chaux-du-Dombief (Ilay)
Approximately 14 km

To start the day, you'll take the GRP Tour de la Haute Bienne trail, surrounded by greenery, towards the Maguenay belvedere, which gives you a magnificent view of Lac de Bonlieu surrounded by dense forest.

After skirting the lake, leave the GRP and take the yellow PR path to the Saut Girard waterfall, the first of the series of 7 Hérisson waterfalls.

Before returning to the Auberge du Hérisson (where you will be offered a packed lunch for the next day), you can cool off in Lac d'Ilay and admire its turquoise-coloured shores on a clear day, with its cliffs as a backdrop.

Day 4:

La Chaux-du-Dombief (Ilay) / Lac-des-Rouges-Truites
Approximately 24 km

On the penultimate day of this hike, you can start by visiting the Espace Botanique (trail, garden, exhibition) at Le Frasnois, then climb the Pic de l'Aigle at Chaux-du-Dombief, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Jura, where you can contemplate the Vallée du Hérisson, Grandvaux and Lac d'Ilay in all their splendour.

You'll then head off in the direction of Pont de La Chaux, skirting part of the Lemme, before returning through the valleys to the village of Les Planches-en-Montagne, where a well-maintained path awaits you to discover the impressive Gorges de la Langouette.

The river walks don't stop there: return to your accommodation along the old tramway (train) route, which is now accessible on foot or by bike, while admiring the gorges of the Saine below.

At Lac-des-Rouges-Truites, just a few minutes from your arrival point, take the time to admire the lake and its wetlands from the facilities installed along the tramway line.

The Chalet du Bugnon offers a full range of services for touring hikers.

Day 5 :

Lac-des-Rouges-Truites / Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux or Saint-Pierre
Approx. 8 km

Enjoy the peace and quiet of the Domaine du Bugnon before setting off again along the ridge separating Lac-des-Rouges-Truites and Fort-du-Plasne.
Once again, you'll enjoy walks along the waterways, sometimes to admire the mill ruins, sometimes to discover the peat bogs along the Lemme, whose meanders have been restored over the last decade.

All that's left for you to do is head for the village of Saint Laurent and its various shops, such as the cheese dairy, to complete this escapade and return to your accommodation for a well-earned rest.